Syllabus (ZOOLOGY)

Course Type: MAJ-4

Semester: 4

Course Code: BZOOMAJ04C

Course Title: Molecular Biology and Developmental Biology

(L-P-Tu): 4-2-0

Credit: 6

Practical/Theory: Combined

Course Objective:

Learning Outcome: On completion of this subject, students should be able to: • Describe the core principles of molecular biology. • Describe the genetic structure and types of chromatins. • Elucidate the types, damage and repair of DNA, types of RNAs, genetic code, U

Molecular Biology and Developmental Biology

Theory - 4 credits

Practical - 2 credits

Objective

Molecular biology deals with nucleic acids and proteins and how these molecules interact within the cell to promote proper growth, division, and development. It is a large and ever-changing discipline. This course (Group A) will emphasize the molecular mechanisms of DNA replication, repair, protein synthesis. In the part of developmental biology (Group B) student will gain a detailed understanding of the molecular, biochemical and cellular events that regulate the development of specialised cells, tissues and organs during embryonic development. In particular, cell signalling pathways that regulate embryonic induction, tissue interactions and pattern formation, and expression of regulatory genes. A particular focus is the experimental strategies and techniques that are used to identify molecular and cellular mechanisms of development.

Group A:

Molecular Biology

Theory

• Nucleic acids - Salient features of DNA, Chargaff’s Rule, Hypo and Hyperchromic shift. Watson and Crick Model of DNA. RNA types and Function.

• DNA replication - Mechanism of DNA replication in prokaryotes, Semi-conservative, bidirectional and discontinuous replication, RNA priming, Replication of telomeres.

• Transcription - Mechanism of transcription in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, Transcription factors, Difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription.

• Translation - Genetic code, Degeneracy of the genetic code and Wobble hypothesis. Mechanism of protein synthesis in prokaryotes.

• Post transcriptional modifications and processing of eukaryotic RNA - Capping and Poly A tail formation in mRNA, Split genes, concept of introns and exons, splicing mechanism, alternative splicing and RNA editing.

• Gene regulation - Regulation of transcription in prokaryotes, lac operon and trp operon.

• Regulation of transcription in eukaryotes - Activators, enhancers, silencer, repressors, miRNA mediated gene silencing.

• Epigenetic regulation - DNA methylation, Histone methylation and acetylation.

• DNA repair mechanisms - Types of DNA repair mechanisms, RecBCD model in prokaryotes, nucleotide and base excision repair, SOS repair.

• Molecular techniques - PCR, Western and Southern blot, Northern Blot.

Group B:

Developmental Biology

Theory

• Basic concepts developmental biology - Phases of development, Cell - cell interaction, Differentiation and growth, Differential gene expression.

• Gametogenesis: Spermatogenesis, Oogenesis (sea urchin and mammal).

• Types of eggs, Egg membranes.

• Fertilization in sea urchin and mammal.

• Planes and patterns of cleavage, Types of Blastula (frog and chick).

• Fate map in chick embryo, fate mapping using vital dye and radioactive technique.

• Gastrulation in frog and chick.

• Embryonic induction and organizers in Xenopus (Spemann and Mangold’s experiment).

• Extra-embryonic membranes in chick.

• Implantation of embryo in humans, Placenta (structure, types and functions of placenta).

• Development of brain and eye in chick, molecular induction in brain and eye development.

• Regeneration - Modes of regeneration, epimorphosis, morphallaxis and compensatory regeneration (with one example each).

Practical - 2 credits

Group A: Molecular Biology

1. Demonstration of polytene from Drosophila larva and lampbrush chromosome from photograph.

2. Isolation and quantification of genomic DNA using spectrophotometer (A260 measurement).

3. Agarose gel electrophoresis for DNA.

Group B: Developmental Biology

1. Study of whole mounts of developmental stages of chick through permanent slides - 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours of incubation (Hamilton and Hamburger stages).

2. Study of different sections of placenta (photomicrograph/ slides).

3. Study of the developmental stages and life cycle of Drosophila ( Visual simul;ation/slides/photo).

References: Group A: Molecular Biology

Lodish, H. et al. (2013). Molecular Cell Biology, 7^th Edition.

Watson, J.D. et al. (2013). Molecular Biology of the Gene, 7^th Edition.

Russell, P.J. (2016) iGenetics: A Molecular Approach, 3^rd Edition.

Twyman, R.M. (1998). Advanced Molecular Biology.

Group B: Developmental Biology

Gilbert, S.F. and Barresi, M.J.F. (2016). Developmental Biology, 11^th Edition.

Slack, J.M.W. (2013). Essential Developmental Biology, 3^rd Edition.

Wolpert, L. et al. (2002). Principles of Development, 2^nd Edition.