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Genetic Engineering

Objectives

 The students should be able

(i) to understand the natural mechanisms of genetic exchanges at molecular level and their important role on the recombinant DNA technology establishment;

(ii) to learn laboratory techniques and methodologies used in genetic engineering;

(iii) to integrate the theoretical concepts and the practical approaches, and to design experimental strategies to developed different scientific proposals.

(iv) to be able to read scientific papers developing a critical attitude; and


(v) to develop of a good performance in oral communication of scientific matters in a clear and synthetic form.

General characterization

Code

7112

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

Isabel Maria Godinho de Sá Nogueira

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - 42

Teaching language

Português

Prerequisites

Available soon

Bibliography

Klug, W. S., Cummings, M. R., Spencer, C. A. and Palladino, M. A. 2012. Concepts of Genetics. Pearson. 10 th edition.

Desmond S. T. Nicholl. 2008. An Introduction to Genetic Engineering
Third Edition

Primrose. S. B. and Twyman, R. M. 2007. Principles of Gene Manipulation and Genomics. Blackwell Publishing. 7th.Edition.

Bernard R. Glick and Cheryl L. Patten. 2017. Molecular Biotechnology: Principles and Applications of Recombinant DNA. 5th Edition.

Videira, A. Engenharia Genética – Princípios e Aplicações. 2011. LIDEL. 2ª Edição.

Teaching method

Available soon

Evaluation method

 

Subject matter

What is Genetic Engineering? Terminology, historical aspects and study model organisms.

Molecular Cloning - Fundamental Technologies: Isolation of DNA fragments. Type II bacterial modification restriction system. Restriction enzymes, mode of action and isoschisomers. Vectors and DNA ligation. Enzymes most used in molecular cloning. Construction of gene (genomic) and cDNA libraries. Library screening methodologies. PCR, DNA chemical synthesis and Gibson Assembly. Techniques for sequencing and sequencing of whole genomes. Genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics. Interactomics. Genome editing (CRISPR).

Vectors used in genetic engineering: plasmids, cosmids, viral vectors and artificial chromosomes. Types of host recipients of the vector.

Plasmids as vectors - naturally occurring and properties. Classification: conjugative, by incompatibility group and by function. Artificially constructed plasmids. Most common types of plasmids: cloning, expression, reporter, viral, insertion-inactivating, genome-engineered plasmids. Mechanisms of DNA delivery in bacteria, fungi, plants and animals.

Viral Vectors: applications in gene therapy and vaccine production.

Genetic engineering and applications. Protein engineering and directed evolution. Recombinant microorganisms, transgenic plants and animals.