Unit 3001: Advanced Molecular Biology

1. Introduction to Molecular Biology

• Overview of molecular biology as a discipline
• Key biomolecules:
  • DNA structure and function
  • RNA types and roles
  • Protein structure and enzyme catalysis
• Central dogma of molecular biology

2. DNA Replication

• Necessity of DNA replication for cellular division
• Enzymes involved:
  • DNA helicase, DNA polymerase, primase, ligase, topoisomerase
• Mechanisms:
  • Semi-conservative replication
  • Leading and lagging strand synthesis
  • Replication forks and origins
• Proofreading and error correction

3. Transcription and Translation

• Transcription process:
  • Role of RNA polymerase
  • Promoters, enhancers, and transcription factors
  • mRNA processing (capping, splicing, polyadenylation)
• Translation process:
  • Ribosome structure and function
  • tRNA and codon-anticodon pairing
  • Stages of translation (initiation, elongation, termination)

4. Gene Expression Regulation

• Levels of gene regulation:
  • Transcriptional regulation (operons, activators, repressors)
  • Post-transcriptional regulation (RNA interference, alternative splicing)
• Epigenetic modifications:
  • DNA methylation
  • Histone modification
  • Chromatin remodeling

5. Genetic Mutations and Repair

• Types of mutations:
  • Point mutations, insertions, deletions, frameshift
  • Causes (spontaneous, induced by mutagens)
• Consequences on protein function
• DNA repair mechanisms:
  • Direct repair
  • Base excision repair
  • Nucleotide excision repair
  • Mismatch repair
  • Double-strand break repair

6. Recombinant DNA Technology

• Techniques overview:
  • Restriction enzymes and DNA ligases
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
  • Gene cloning vectors (plasmids, bacteriophages)
• Genetic engineering methods
• Applications in research and industry

7. Genomics and Proteomics

• Genome sequencing technologies
• Bioinformatics tools for genome and proteome analysis
• Functional genomics and proteomics
• Systems biology implications

8. Gene Therapy

• Principles of gene therapy
• Vectors for gene delivery (viral and non-viral)
• Clinical applications and case studies
• Challenges and safety considerations

9. CRISPR-Cas9 Technology

• Mechanism of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing
• Design and delivery of guide RNAs
• Applications in medicine, agriculture, and research
• Ethical, legal, and social implications

10. Molecular Evolution

• Molecular clocks and rate of mutation
• Phylogenetic analysis using molecular data
• Molecular basis of adaptation
• Comparative genomics and evolutionary relationships