Course syllabus for Molecular biotechnology

After having completed the course, the student should have acquired an understanding of, as well as the ability to apply the techniques, concepts and strategies used in modern molecular biotechnology.

The students should be able to plan, perform and analyse experiments for cloning and protein expression, purification and characterisation.

The students should be able to effectively communicate their results and engage in scientific discussions. 

The lectures which form the basics of the written exam mainly deal with techniques to study and manipulate DNA, RNA and protein. In addition, enzyme function and applications will be treated in a series of lectures. The techniques which will be presented are mainly: basic methods to manipulate and analyze DNA, PCR, plasmids, mutagenesis methods (on plasmid and on chromosomal DNA), hybridization techniques (Southern/Northern blotting, microarrays), RNAi, Gel-based protein analysis methods, antibodies, mass-spectrometry, protein arrays, affinity purification, databases, homology searching (BLAST), manipulating DNA from mammals and plants. A short repetion of basic enzyme kinetics will be given, and its importance for design of enzymes in technical applications will be discussed. Immobilisation, as well as selection of enzymes for given applications will be dicussed together with further development of enzymes with improved properties. Different technical application areas will be overviewed. A series of lectures after the written exam gives an overview of microscopy, cultivation of cells from multicellular eukaryotes, stem-cells, protein purification strategies, structure determination (x-ray chrystallography and NMR). The lectures also encompass a presentation of research within Systems biology, Chemical Biology and Industrial biotechnology. The experimental/practical part of the course has two parts: (I) a cloning and mutagenesis part and (II) a follow-up in which the mutated protein is partially purified and characterized with respect to kinetic parameters. Integration between theory and practice is achieved in part I of the lab course, in which the student writes his/her own laboratory manual prior to the experimental part.

The course contains a lecture part, the examination of which is in the form of a written exam after the first education cycle (lecture attendance is not mandatory). In the second education cycle, a lecture series is given with a 80% required attendance. The course also includes two laboratory exercises and a theoretical project, attendance on these activities is mandatory. The majority of lectures will be given in English but some lectures will be given in Swedish.

Information about the literature will be provided via the course homepage

Written examination following study period 1. The majority of the exam will be conducted in English. Participation in experimental work and project based work is required for passing the course.