Methods for Biosciences I
Objectives
1. To acquire knowledge on the fundamentals and applications of several experimental techniques and methodologies used in Biosciences, namely, techniques in biochemistry, molecular biology, spectroscopy and microscopy.
2. To understand and select adequate techniques and methodologies for the comprehension of molecular mechanisms that take place in cells and organisms in health and disease.
3. To apply the learned techniques and methodologies in the context of specific case studies of biological relevance.
4. To critically review the scientific literature pertinent in this field.
General characterization
Code
11713
Credits
1.5
Responsible teacher
Júlia Carvalho Costa, Sofia Rocha Pauleta
Hours
Weekly - Available soon
Total - 19
Teaching language
Português
Prerequisites
Conhecimentos na área ds biociencias moleculares e áreas afins.
Bibliography
Alberts, B., et al. (2018) Essential Cell Biology. 6th Edition. Ed. Garland Science, Taylor & Francis Group, New York, USA. ISBN-13: 978-0393680386.
Lakowicz, J.R. (2006) Principles of Fluorescence Spectroscopy, 3rd Ed., Springer, New York, USA. ISBN: 978-0-387-46312-4.
Gordon, G. H. (2005) Spectroscopy for the biological sciences. John Wiley & Sons Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey, USA. ISBN-10: 0471713449.
Lawrence, Q. (2000) Physical methods in bioinorganic chemistry: spectroscopy and magnetism. Lawrence Que, Jr. Ed., University Science Books, Sausalito, California, USA. ISBN-10: 1891389025.
Wilson, K., Walker, J. (2018) Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Hofmann, A., Clokie, S., Eds., 8th Ed.Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. ISBN 978-1-316-61476-1.
Peer-reviewed manuscripts published in renowed and high impact factor scientific journals.
Teaching method
The course includes lectures, problem solving classes and one seminar presentation. The lectures will be taught using "data show", accompanied by bibliography previously available in the website of discipline. Each technique or methodology will be presented and framed in adequate biological scenarios. Due to the broadness of contents experts on specific technologies will be invited. The problem solving classes will include demonstrations and laboratory visits and will train the students in data analysis enabling them to understand how to obtain information from the techniques and methodologies discussed.
The evaluation will consist of the preparation, presentation and discussion of a seminar. In the seminar each student presents a particular case study addressing some of the methodologies and techniques learned in the course. Each case study is based on one or more scientific articles that are supplied by the coordinators. The presentations of new strategies are also encouraged.
Evaluation method
The evaluation will consist of the preparation, presentation and discussion of a seminar. In the seminar each student presents a particular case study addressing some of the methodologies and techniques learned in the course. Each case study is based on one or more scientific articles that are supplied by the coordinators. The presentations of new strategies are also encouraged.
Subject matter
1. Protein purification
1.1. Extraction and fractionation techniques
1.2. Purification and monitoring
1.3. Recombinant protein production. Fusion proteins
2. Spectroscopic techniques in molecular biosciences
2.1. Ultraviolet/visible and fluorescence
2.2. Infrared and Raman
2.3. Dynamic light scattering and circular dichroism
2.4. Surface Plasmon Resonance
2.5. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Electronic Paramagnetic Resonance
2.6. X-ray crystallography
3. Mass spectrometric techniques and applications. Ionization. Mass analyzers. Detectors. Structural information.
Data bases.
4. Microscopy and Imaging
4.1. Light microscopy. Fluorescence microscopy. Confocal microscopy. Monitoring protein dynamics in cells.
Atomic force microscopy
4.2. Electron microscopy
5. Model organisms. Escherichia coli. Yeast. Arabidopsis. Caenorhabditis elegans. Drosophila melanogaster. Mouse
6. Emergent techniques and methods