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Xi'an Jiaotong University

Basic Molecular Biology

Xi'an Jiaotong University via XuetangX

Overview

What is molecular biology? Broadly, it could be defined as the attempt to understand biological phenomena in molecular terms. Another definition is more restrictive and therefore more useful: the study of gene structure and function at the molecular level. The attempt to explain genes and their activities in molecular terms is the subject matter of this course. Molecular biology is a compulsory major courses for students in the field of life science. But even if you are not major in biology, understanding molecular biology is also a window for you to understand yourself and the world of life.

Life is the most complex phenomenon in the world. Every living individual is like a well-organized and well-equipped legion, and the brain is definitely not the commander. When we stoop to look for the secret of life, we would find the molecular biology. The commander behind the scenes of this molecular force actually only makes his orders through four simple symbols, A, G, C and T. How is it possible? That's what molecular biology is going to tell you.

To understand the command strategy and operation mode of the molecular forces, you can't only rely on your big curious eyes. You also need some “weaponry”, the powerful molecular technologies. Electrophoresis, PCR, sequencing, hybridization, et al., and these technologies are the magic weapons for you to travel freely in the molecular world. We also use these powerful molecular force to create legends. You will find more and more that you are surrounded by the ubiquitous molecular technologies. Why not learn something more? Just start with molecular biology.

Syllabus

  • Chapter 1 The material basis of genetic information
    • C1-Lecture 1 The past and present journey of molecular biology
    • C1-Lecture 2 The nature of genetic material
    • C1-Lecture 3 Amazing DNA double helix
    • C1-Lecture 4 Supercoiled DNA
    • C1-Lecture 5 Denaturation, renaturation and hybridization
    • C1-Lecture 6 Nucleic acids extraction and gel electrophoresis
    • Chapter 1 Test
    • Learning resources
  • Chapter 2 From gene to chromosome
    • C2-Lecture 1 Genome does not equal to chromosome
    • C2-Lecture 2 Nucleosomes and their Assembly
    • C2-Lecture 3 Higher order chromatin structure
    • C2-Lecture 4 Chromatin modification and remodeling
    • Chapter 2 Test
    • Learning resources
  • Chapter 3 Who is in pairs? DNA replication
    • C3-Lecture 1 Semiconservative DNA replication
    • C3-Lecture 2 The mechanism of DNA polymerase
    • C3-Lecture 3 Process of DNA replication
    • C3-Lecture 4 Regulation of DNA replication initiation
    • C3-Lecture 5 The end replication problem and telomere
    • C3-Lecture 6 Let’s “cook” DNA
    • Chapter 3 Test
    • Learning resources
  • Chapter 4 DNA mutation and repair
    • C4-Lecture 1 Replication errors and the mismatch repair system
    • C4-Lecture 2 DNA damage
    • C4-Lecture 3 DNA Repair
    • C4-Lecture 4 DNA Homologous Recombination
    • C4-Lecture 5 Changing the natural gene sequences
    • Learning resources
  • Chapter 5 Transcription in prokaryotes
    • C5-Lecture 1 RNA polymerase
    • C5-Lecture 2 Transcription process in prokaryotes
    • C5-Lecture 3 Transcriptional regulation in bacterial I: Lac operon
    • C5-Lecture 4 Transcriptional regulation in bacterial II: Tryptophan operon
    • Chapter 5 Test
    • Learning resources
  • Chapter 6 Transcription in eukaryotes
    • Lecture 1 Eukaryotic RNA polymerase and promoter
    • Lecture 2 Transcription process in eukaryotic cell
    • Lecture 3 Transcription factors of eukaryotic cell
    • Lecture 4 Epigenetic Regulation of gene expression
    • Chapter 6 Test
    • Learning resources
  • Chapter 7 RNA Processing
    • Lecture 1 RNA splicing
    • Lecture 2 Cotranscriptional processing of nuclear pre-mRNA
    • Lecture 3 One gene one protein? Alternative RNA splicing
    • Lecture 4 “Seeing” RNA
    • Chapter 7 Test
    • Learning Resources
  • Chapter 8 Protein Synthesis, translation
    • Lecture 1 Genetic codons and ribosome
    • Lecture 2 Process of translation
    • Lecture 3 Regulation of gene expression at Translational level
    • Lecture 4 Looking for your protein
    • Learning resources
  • Final Exam

    Taught by

    Xiaoyun Lu, Han Yan, Yi Feng, and Dan Tan

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