The course focuses on the most important gene technology principles/methods and thereto-relevant concepts in molecular biology will be reviewed. An in-depth look at prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene expression and recombinant protein production and optimization will be central. In addition, several important applications of molecular biotechnology will be presented and discussed. Some of the topics covered:
- transcription/translation regulation
- recombinant DNA (enzymes, vectors and host cells)
- PCR techniques
- DNA sequencing
- mutagenesis, gene libraries
- screening and selection methods
- design of recombinant processes (promoters, vectors, host cells, gene fusions etc)
- therapeutic strategies (vaccine technology, gene therapy etc)
- DNA diagnostics
- transgenic organisms
- functional genomics
- laboratory exercise (site directed mutagenesis, screening/selection, DNA sequencing, protein expression and characterization)