Basics of genetic engineering and diagnostics (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

The student should understand the essential principles of genetic engineering and diagnostic practices, and know the basic terminology and methods. The course consist of theoretical part (3 cr) and laboratory woks (2 cr).

Spesific topics include:

-Nucleic acids & molecular biology
-Requirements of gene technology, Isolation and analysis of nucleic acids
-Cloning vectors, Regulation of gene activity, expression, autoinduction
-Nucleic acids modifying enzymes. Ligation., Introducing DNA into host cells, PCR
-DNA sequencing, Antibodies, basics of immunology
-Immunoassays
-Immunodiagnostics

Laboratory works:
* Amplification of egfp gene by PCR
* Restriction enzymes and agarose gel electrophoresis
* Gel extraction of the DNA from agarose gel electrophoresis
* Cloning of PCR amplified DNA fragment and transformation
* Characterization of transformants

Objective

The participants are able to describe the essentials of diagnostics and basic concepts and methods of diagnostics and genetic engineering. The participants know the basic principles and methods of genetic engineering.

Content

- basics and basic techniques of genetic engineering

- essentials, concepts and methods of diagnostics

Materials

Suominen I., Pärssinen, R., Haajanen, K. ja Pelkonen, J. Geenitekniikka (finnish)
Brown: Gene Cloning & DNA Analysis (english)
Lecture notes on Its-platform

Teaching methods

Group and individual assignments
Laboratory experiments, Lab reports

Exam schedules

The course is assessed based by graded tasks and Multiple Choice Exam (MCE) will be one of the tasks.

Multiple Choice Exam will be as an E-exam in ViLLE-platform on 3rd of March 2025 between 12 and 16, retake (if needed) on 10th of March between 12 and 16.

International connections

Flipped learning, Contact teaching

Completion alternatives

1-2 students may conduct the course by working in the the research group (New Materials and processes). This type of the implementation has to be agreed separate with the instructors. Generally it consists of lab work related to real research projects, reporting and appending the needed theory in the reports.

In the research work implementation, a separate learning agreement is signed, and separate instructions are provided for research work in lab, reporting and integration of theory into the reports. The reporting consists of weekly follow-up meetings and theory discussion, and of a report or reports (will be agreed in the agreement). Deadline for the group report is May 15th, 2025. There is one possibility to raise the grade by returning a corrected report, which is based on the feedback from the instructors.

For further information contact Jani Pelkonen (jani.pelkonen@turkuamk.fi).

Student workload

Theoretical part:
Lectures, presentations, assignments and self-studying (approx. 78 h)

Laboratory experiments:
24 h laboratory works (3 weeks, 8 h / week)
29 h self-studying and reporting of laboratory works