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2016　Molecular Genetics

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Academic unit or major
Undergraduate major in Life Science and Technology
Instructor(s)
Komada Masayuki  Tachibana Kazunori  Wakabayashi Ken-Ichi  Kajikawa Masaki  Aizawa Yasunori 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
-
Group
-
Course number
LST.A335
Credits
2
Academic year
2016
Offered quarter
1Q
Syllabus updated
2017/1/11
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
Japanese
Access Index

Course description and aims

This course will provide a comprehensive overview of molecular genetics (i.e., how nucleotide sequences of the genomic DNA are transmitted from parents to children). This course will also cover the following topics: methods to study gene functions and genomic nucleotide sequences, diseases caused by mutations in genes, and the roles of genetics played in elucidating cell functions.

Recently, research and development using gene functions are becoming essential not only in basic life sciences but also in bioengineering, medicine, and agricultural sciences. This course aims at understanding the roles that molecular genetics has played in the elucidation of basic biology and the development of bioengineering, as well as its relationship to our society.

Student learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Explain the basic concept of genetics at molecular levels, as well as that of classical and modern genomics.
2. Explain the basis and the major examples of genetic diseases, as well as the basis and methods of genome diagnosis and gene therapy.
3. Explain the molecular basis of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell motility, as well as how genetics contributed to this field.
4. Explain the molecular basis of the cell cycle in yeasts and higher eukaryotes, as well as how genetics contributed to this field.

Keywords

Menderian inheritance, Genome, Genetic disease, Cell motility, Cell cycle

Competencies that will be developed

✔ Specialist skills Intercultural skills Communication skills ✔ Critical thinking skills Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

For the first 10 min of each lecture, a summary of the previous lecture is given as necessary, followed by the main points of the day's lecture. For the last 15 min of each lecture, a quiz may be given to find out if students have learned the material given.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance Students must be able to explain the theory of Menderian and non-Menderian inheritance.
Class 2 Chromosome theory of inheritance: gene map and recombination Students must be able to explain the role of chromosomes in genetic inheritance.
Class 3 Forward Genetics: from phenotype to genotype Students must be able to explain the methodology of the forward genetics and the concept of its "forwardness."
Class 4 Reverse Genetics: from genotype to phenotype Students must be able to explain the methodology of the reverse genetics and the concept of its "reverseness."
Class 5 Basic Genomics Students must be able to explain the basic terminologies of genomics and how to use them to discuss many interesting aspects of genomes.
Class 6 "First half: Systems Biology Second half: Midterm Exam" Students must be able to explain the concept and methologies to study any biological networks.
Class 7 Recessive genetic disease Students must be able to explain the pathogenetic basis of recessive genetic diseases as well as the pathogenesis of typical recessive genetic diseases.
Class 8 Dominant genetic disease Students must be able to explain the pathogenetic basis of dominant genetic diseases as well as the pathogenesis of typical dominant genetic diseases.
Class 9 Genetic diagnosis and gene therapy Students must be able to explain the methods of major genetic diagnosis as well as the basis and typical methods of gene therapy.
Class 10 F-actin-related cell motility Students must be able to explain the molecular mechanisms of F-actin-related cell motility.
Class 11 Microtubule-related cell motility Students must be able to explain the molecular mechanisms of microtubule-related cell motility.
Class 12 Intermediate filaments and prokaryotic cell motility Students must be able to explain the importance of intermediate filaments and the molecular mechanisms of prokaryotic cell motility.
Class 13 Molecular genetics of the cell cycle in yeasts Students must be able to explain the basis of yeast molecular genetics.
Class 14 Molecular genetics of the cell cycle in higher eukaryotes Students must be able to explain the basic methods of cell cycle analysis.
Class 15 Genetic control of circadian rhythms Students must be able to explain the concepts of circadian rhythm as well as the pathogenesis of biological clock.

Textbook(s)

Not specified.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Genetics: from Genes to Genomes (Hartwell et al.) (Medical Science International), Molecular Biology of the Cell (Alberts et al.) (Newton Press), Molecular Cell Biology (Lodish et al.) (W H Freeman & Co.). Handouts will be distributed at the beginning of class when necessary.

Assessment criteria and methods

Midterm exam: 40%, final exam: 60%

Related courses

  • LST.A203 ： Biochemistry I
  • Biochemistry II
  • LST.A213 ： Molecular Biology II
  • Molecular Biology II

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

Students must have successfully completed Biochemistry I, Biochemistry II, Molecular Biology I, and Molecular Biology II, or have equivalent knowledge.

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