Genetic Engineering

Objectives

The objectives of this subject are for students to acquire and understand the fundamentals and essential techniques for the characterization and manipulation of genetic material, as well as their applications in basic and applied research in biomedicine. In order to achieve these goals, students delve into:

• The basic concepts of genetic engineering
• Gene isolation and cloning techniques and their manipulation
• The latest technology in genetic engineering and its applications in biomedicine, especially in therapy

Learning outcomes

• RA1. Acquire and demonstrate advanced knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects and work methodology in the field of biomedicine.
• LO2. Use the methodologies and technologies for cloning nucleic acids and apply them correctly to the design of experiments.
• LO3. Master the basic concepts of genetic engineering and genomics with clinical application.
• LO4. Understand the basic principles of gene and cell therapy.

Skills

General skills

• Carry out professional activities independently with initiative and respect for other health professionals.
• Formulate hypotheses following the scientific method, with an ability to summarize and analyze information in a critical way in order to be able to solve problems.

Specific skills

• Evaluate technological advances for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of disease.
• Recognize the applicability of genetic engineering methods and omics technology in preclinical and clinical research.

Basic skills

• Students can apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and have competencies typically demonstrated through drafting and defending arguments and solving problems in their field of study.
• Students have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in a field of study that builds on general secondary education with the support of advanced textbooks and knowledge of the latest advances in this field of study.
• Students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their field of study) in order to make judgments that include reflection on relevant social, scientific and ethical issues.

Core skills

• Bring to bear values of entrepreneurship and innovation in one's academic and professional careers.
• Exercise active citizenship and individual responsibility with a commitment to democratic values and sustainable development.
• Make use of professional skills in multidisciplinary, complex, networked environments, whether on-site or online.
• Reflect critically on knowledge of all kinds, with a commitment to professional rigor and quality.

Content

1. Basic concepts
2. DNA recombination in vitro
3. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
4. Cloning strategies and types of vectors
5. Eukaryotic vector-host systems
6. Gene libraries
7. Gene expression study
8. Recombinant proteins
9. Transgenic animals as models for the study of pathophysiology in humans
10. Basics of gene therapy
11. Genome editing. CRISPR-CAS

Evaluation

According to the academic regulations for undergraduate studies at UVic-UCC, there is only one official call that foresees two different evaluation periods:

• Ordinary period, which takes place in an integrated way in the training process and during the teaching period.
• Complementary assessment period, in which the student can be assessed again for the tasks, activities or tests that he has not passed satisfactorily within the framework of the first period.

Academic or ordinary period

Continuous evaluation of the activities carried out by the student through:

• Evaluation of the topics: 50%
  • First partial: 25% (refundable)
    Important: to be able to average with the other exam you must obtain a minimum rating of 4/10 . If you get less than 4/10 you have to go to recovery of this part.
  • Second semester: 25% (refundable)
    Important: to be able to average with the other exam you must obtain a minimum rating of 4/10 . If you get less than 4/10 you have to go to recovery of this part.
  Important: to pass the subject you need to obtain a grade of 5/10 in the average of the two parts of the subject evaluation.
• Active participation in classes, seminars and oral presentations (questions to other groups, peer assessment, assistance and behavior in teamwork): 5% (non-refundable)
• Online or face-to-face exercises and quizzes: 20% (non-refundable)
• Problems and work required: 25% (non-refundable). If it is a team work, the mark is broken down as follows: mark for the presentation, which includes the individual mark (12.5%) + the group mark (12.5%). If they are problems, they are assessed individually.

The final mark of the subject is the result of the weighting of the marks obtained in each of the parts.

Recovery period

The student who does not pass some of the activities considered recoverable, can recover them during this period, as long as the total of parts not passed in the subject does not represent 50% of the final grade.

important

Plagiarism or copying someone else's work is penalized at all universities and, according to the UVic-UCC Coexistence Rules , constitutes serious or very serious offences. Therefore, in the course of this subject, plagiarism or the misappropriation of other people's texts or ideas (see what is considered plagiarism ) and the improper or undeclared use of artificial intelligence in an activity are translated automatically in suspension or other disciplinary measures.

To cite texts and materials appropriately, consult the academic citation guidelines and guidelines available on the UVic Library website.

There are some compulsory attendance sessions that the teaching staff indicates in the work plan. The reason for non-attendance must be included among the justifiable causes foreseen and must be duly communicated to the teaching staff.

Methodology

The contents of this subject are taught using the methodologies listed below, depending on the needs of the contents to be worked on:

• Master classes
• Practical cases
• Exercises in the classroom

Bibliography

Key references

• Brown, T. A. (2021). Gene cloning and DNA analysis : an introduction. Hoboken, NJ : Wiley Blackwell.
• Herráez, A. (2012). Texto ilustrado e interactivo de biología molecular e ingeniería genética. Retrieved from https://www-clinicalkey-com.biblioremot.uvic.cat/student/content/toc/3-s2.0-C20110096783
• Izquierdo, M. (2014). Curso de genética molecular e ingeniería genética. Pirámide.
• Primrose, S.B., & Twyman, R. M. (2006). Principles of gene manipulation and genomics (7 ed.). Blackwell.
• Watson, J. D., Caudy, A. A., Myers, R. M., & Witkowski, J. A. (2007). Recombinant DNA. Freeman & Co-CSHL Press.

Further reading

Teachers will provide complementary bibliography and compulsory reading throughout the course via the Virtual Campus.