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 objectives, students delve into:

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

Learning outcomes

• LO1. Acquires and demonstrates advanced knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects and work methodology in the field of biomedicine.
• LO2. Uses methodologies and technologies for the cloning of nucleic acids and applies 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.

Competencies

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 studying human pathophysiology
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 provides for two different evaluation periods:

• Ordinary period, which takes place as part of the training process and during the school period.
• Complementary evaluation period, in which the student can be evaluated again for the tasks, activities or tests that he/she 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:

• Topic evaluation: 50%
  • First partial: 25% (refundable)
    Important: to be able to average with the other exam you must obtain a minimum rating of 4/10If you get less than 4/10 you must retake this part.
  • Second partial: 25% (recoverable)
    Important: to be able to average with the other exam you must obtain a minimum rating of 4/10If you get less than 4/10 you must retake this part.
  Important: To pass the subject you must obtain a grade of 5/10 in the average of the two midterms of the evaluation of topics.
• Active participation in classes, seminars and oral presentations (questions to other groups, peer assessment, attendance and behavior in teamwork): 5% (non-recoverable)
• Online or in-person exercises and quizzes: 20% (non-recoverable)
• Required problems and assignments: 25% (non-recoverable). If it is a team project, the grade is broken down as follows: presentation grade, which includes the individual grade (12.5%) + group grade (12.5%). If they are problems, they are assessed individually.

The final grade for the subject is the result of the weighting of the grades obtained in each of the parts.

Recovery period

Students who do not pass some of the activities considered retakeable may retake them during this period, as long as the total number of parts of the subject not passed does not represent 50% of the final grade.

Important

Plagiarism or copying someone else's work is penalized in all universities and, according to the UVic-UCC coexistence rules, constitute serious or very serious faults. Therefore, during the course of this subject, plagiarism or the improper appropriation of texts or ideas from other people (see What is considered plagiarism?) and the improper or undeclared use of artificial intelligence in an activity automatically result in a suspension or other disciplinary measures.

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

There are some mandatory attendance sessions that the teaching staff indicates in the work plan. The reason for non-attendance must be included among the justifiable reasons provided 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
• Classroom exercises

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.