Molecular Biology & Biochemical Techniques

Course goals

1. Describe biological and chemical components of the cell and how these form functional units through chemical reactions and non-covalent interactions;
2. Rationalize how changes in the chemical environment influence the physical and chemical properties of biomolecules;
3. Describe the molecular principles underlying recombinant DNA techniques and apply recombinant DNA techniques in silico and the lab;
4. Describe techniques to change the expression level of a gene product and formulate a strategy to determine the function of a gene or protein in a cell or organism;
5. Describe methods for purifying proteins and formulate and execute a purification strategy;
6. Describe methods for the detection and quantification of proteins and decide which method is most suitable for a particular protein;
7. Describe the basic principles of immunochemistry and fluorescence and use this technique for qualitative and/or quantitative analyses;
8. Analyse results obtained by the various techniques.

Content

In this highly practical and research-oriented course students develop their applied skills in molecular biology and biochemistry. 

Introduction:
 Our knowledge of life at the molecular level is founded on decades of research using increasingly advanced techniques. In this course both traditional and novel techniques in molecular biology and biochemistry are covered. The course builds on and extends students’ knowledge about the molecular components of the cell and the central dogma of biology. 

Set up of this course:
 Students first study a topic (technique) at home (pre-lecture) to acquire background knowledge. Next, the theoretical basis of a technique is explained in a lecture. During the remainder of the week students do E-learning and lab-simulation modules and follow seminars, which help them to acquire detailed knowledge on the topic and mobilise this knowledge in an applied context. To enhance student learning, students subsequently engage in open-ended lab practicals in which they have to decide which method to use and how to perform an experiment. Finally, students perform a ‘pen and paper’ practical where they learn to strategically apply techniques in a suitable way in order to answer life science research questions.

The techniques covered in this course can be divided in four groups:

• Recombinant DNA techniques, including cloning, sequencing and modifying the expression level of genes;
• Techniques for recombinant protein production and protein modification;
• Techniques to purify a protein of interest;
• Techniques employing markers for the detection and quantification of biomolecules in vitro or in vivo.

Of these techniques, students learn the underlying principles, practical aspects including pros and cons, what type of information is obtained and how to interpret it. Based on this knowledge students learn to make strategic choices about which techniques to use to answer a particular biochemical or cell biological questions in the most efficient way. The strategic selection of techniques is trained in wet lab, computer and paper-based practicals.

Relation to other courses:
This course builds on the knowledge about biomolecules and cell biology acquired in year one. The course teaches students the basic principles and the most frequently-used biochemical and molecular biology techniques. This research-oriented course prepares students both for their bachelor thesis project and for research activities in 3^rd year courses, such as formulating research proposals, analysing results and scientific writing.

Teaching format course: 
As described in the course content section, active student learning and participation is achieved by a combination of teaching methods. This course is highly blended with pre-lecture assignments to ensure that students engage with the material at home and E-learning and lab-simulation modules to help students acquire detailed knowledge on the topic and mobilise this knowledge in an applied context. But perhaps the most notable teaching method in this course is the one outlined below.

5 full-day (9:00-17:00) open-ended laboratory practicals are included to further enhance active student learning, problem-solving and teamwork skills. In groups students have to decide which method to use and how to perform an experiment. Open-ended laboratory activities provide a more authentic learning environment (than cookbook experiments) by, for example, allowing students to exercise greater autonomy in what and how phenomena are investigated. Students require problem-solving skills to develop alternative strategies when their experiments fail to yield results. Open-ended practicals allow students to learn these important skills, which are essential to success in a scientific career.

Estimation of each teaching method in this course: 
Lectures and question hours = 15%
Tutorials + pen and paper practical = 15%
Practicals = 25%
Self-study = 45%

Grading (check course manual for details): 

1. Written exam, including home-assignment tasks (60%)
2. Wet-lab practical (lab journal and written report) (30%)
3. Pen and Paper practical (10%)