Contents:
1. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells – cell organization (membranes, genetic material, organelles, nucleus, cell energy storage. Cell division. Cell biology techniques. Microscopy.
2. Proteins. Protein structure and properties: aminoacids, primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure. Protein classification. Enzyme kinetics and its regulation. Methods for protein characterization: electrophoresis, chromatography, mass spectrometry, spectroscopic techniques – UV, IR, SPR, CD.
3. Cellular genetics. Genes and genome. Localization and DNA packing. DNA and chromosome structure. Nucleic acids as genetic material. The central dogma of molecular biology. DNA replication. Transcription (RNA). Transduction (tRNA). Methods for DNA characterization. Recombinant DNA techniques; cloning vectors for gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; techniques for studying genes and genomes; genetic manipulation of microorganisms. PCR.
4. From gene to recombinant protein: design and preparation of a recombinant expression system.
5. From medical biotechnologies to industrials: applications in the biotech world. Role of biomedical engineers in the hospital: interdisciplinarity.
6. Laboratory exercises: purification of plasmid DNA by affinity chromatography; quantification of purified plasmid DNA by spectrophotometric analysis; protein separation by SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis.
