This course is based on MOL221, Experimental molecular biology I, and it is highly recommended to take it during the same semester.

In MOL222, the students will get a theoretical and practical introduction to important methods and techniques in biochemistry and molecular biology. These include molecular cloning, PCR, plasmid propagation in bacteria, plasmid purification, restriction analysis, overexpression of genes in mammalian cell lines, microscopy, gel electrophoresis and Western blotting as well as demonstration of topical research activities at the department. Furthermore, the students will get hands-on experience and consolidation of nucleic acid data bases and other bioinformatics tools. The students will learn the physical and chemical principles of the analytical methods.

Along with the practical aspects of the course, there will also be put particular emphasis on the design and planning of experimental work as well as documentation, critical evaluation including qualitative and quantitative analysis of the results. Students will present and discuss their work in seminars. Laboratory safety aspects will also be a focus.

The purpose of the course is to provide solid basic knowledge and skills in experimental biochemistry and molecular biology thus establishing the basis for further studies in molecular biology.

On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can explain the principles of molecular cloning and PCR, cell transfection and Western blotting
• can interpret experimental data
• knows the general safety routines for laboratory work in molecular biology

Skills

The student

• can prepare plasmids for transfection of cultured cells and analyse protein expression by means of fluorescence microscopy and Western blotting
• can use instrumentation and gene technological methods for the separation and analysis of proteins and nucleic acids
• can interpret and report data both qualitatively and quantitatively
• can follow general safety routines for laboratory work in molecular biology
•  can plan experimental work based on a protocol
• can critically evaluate and discuss experimental results
• can critically evaluate and correctly cite literature

General competance

The student

• can design and apply protocols for basic experimental work within the field of molecular biology and biochemistry
• can explain, critcally evaluate and discuss experimental results from basic research within the field of molecular biology and biochemistry

MOL100, KJEM110 and one of the following courses: MOL200/MOL203/BIO103.

MOL221 must be completed successfully or taken during the same semester as MOL222. Courses other than MOL221, with a similar scope, can be considered, if successfully completed and, if approved, can replace MOL221 as requirement.

• lab reports 65%
• report from the computational exercise 20%
• written tests 15%