Molecular Biology: Lecture 1 (11 Feb 04): Introduction to the Course Molecular Biology 2004 《分子生物学》 Objectives, Course Mechanics & Assessment For WHU Undergraduates.

Molecular Biology: Lecture 1 (11 Feb 04):

Introduction to the Course Molecular Biology 2004《分子生物学》

Objectives, Course Mechanics & Assessment

For WHU Undergraduates (72 class hours)Spring semester, 2004

Lecturers & class division of the Spring Courses in Molecular Biology

Class Nr of students

Schedule Lecturer TA

Bio Base

Biotech Base

116 Mon 3-4

Wed 1-2

郭德银 吴莹徐静

Biosciences Ca 120 Mon 3-4

Wed 1-2

张 翼

Pharmacy Ca. 70 Mon 3-4

Wed 1-2

朱 应

Lab course 毛歆

Obligatory course for biology students

Intended for sophomores and juniors of College of Life Science, WHU

Prerequisite: General biology, Biochemistry

The course is taught in English (but occasionally in Chinese to help understanding)

Text book: P.C. Turner et al. , Instant Notes in Molecular Biology, Bios Scientific Publishers Limited, 2001

Why this course in English?

Tradition: in English for WHU BioStudents since Spring 2002

English is indeed an International Scientific Language: reading cutting-edge literature, study abroad, scientific meeting, discussion with foreign colleagues etc

Good and bad sides

Objectives of the Course:

（ 1 ） Basic knowledge: learn actively and grasp firmly;

（ 2 ） Ability to apply your knowledge: active thinking and imagination, use your knowledge agily to solve theoretical and practical problems;

（ 3 ） Language ability: understand Molecualr Biology in English without sig. difficulty ；

（ 4 ） Learning skills: attitude to learning and exams, teaching and learning efficiency.

How to achieve the above aims?(Course mechanics)

（ 1 ） Multimedium teaching: More figures and

diagrams to visualize ； talk in the simple way to

learn and remember ， stimulation of thinking.

（ 2 ） Course web page: teaching notes, on-line

discussion; other internet resources (http://www.

lib.whu.edu.cn or http://202.114.65.51/fzjx/fzswx

/)

How to achieve the above aims?

（ 3 ） Courseware preparation: one topic each

to train the student’s ability in independent

work 。（ 4 ） Group discussion (8-10 people): study

atmosphere, teamwork, mutual help and

inspiration, shaping your character and moral.

（ 5 ） In-class question: to encourage active

thinking and vivify class atmosphere.

How to achieve the above aims?

（ 6 ） Quiz and exams: 6 quizes in addition to t

he final examination.

（ 5 ） Tutorship: Course webpage, timely tutor

ship mainly by TA

Courware (ppt) preparation:

  1. 10 points in total : 4+3+3

2. basic points (4): integral and systemic

3. Extra content and accuracy (3)

4. Original figures and animation (3)

Group study :

 10 points in total (together with attendance)

8-10 in one group with a group leader & a vice leader

At least 10 times, 1 hour each time

1. Recorders in turn, making the minutes in detail (time, place, participants, questions and answers etc)

2. Help each other (Raise and answer questions in group)

3. Write down the unanswered questions at the end of the discussion

Rules in class :

1. No wisper between the neighbours

2. Mobile phone should be turned off

4. Ask question by first raising your hand

Evaluation system:

  1. Modular Quizes - 30% (30 points in 100 system)

2. Final exam: - 50%

3. Topic presentation (ppt format) - 10%

4. Group study and attendance: - 10%

5. Bonus points: 1-10 points

Ahaa, your final results might exceed 100 points!!!

考试规则考试的目的是督促学习与检查教学效果 , 但考场的表现反映一个人的基本素质和诚信意识（ 1 ）不离开自己的座位。（ 2 ）合上书本和笔记。（ 3 ）个人只能看和写自己的试卷 , 不得左顾右看或交头接耳（ 4 ）老师宣布停的时候，所有学生必须放下自己的笔，目视前方。（ 5 ）老师宣布收试卷时，试卷必须快速由每排的一端传到另一端 .

课堂小考 : 如果违反以上任何一条规则，第一次违规者，本次考试成绩为零，第二次违规者必须重修这们课。缺席不补考 , 本次成绩为零，但如果提前请假可以得当次考试的最低分。期末考试：任何作弊者，一经发现，立刻取消考试资格，重修此课。

Attitudes to the examinations

As the instructor• Not as teaching goals but to stimulate the study enthusiasm ， help to summarize and master the knowledge• The test questions should render elicitation for the study, not for giving difficulty to students

As a student• Not the aim of your study but the means to help study• Use the exams to cjeck and solidify your knwledge• Enjoy your exams, but not suffer

What is Molecular Biology?

Molecular biology seeks to explain the relationships between the structure and function of biological molecules and how these relationships contribute to the operation and control of biochemical processes. ---Turner et al. Molecular biology is the study of genes and their activities at the molecular level, including transcription, translation, DNA replication, recombination and translocation.--- Robert Weaver

The Core of Molecular Biology:

The macromolecules and macromolecular complexes of DNA, RNA and protein

The processes of replication, transcription and translation and their regulations

Manipulation of macromolecules, technologies central to modern biosciences

Biosphere (the sum of all Earth’s ecosystems) Ecosystem (biological community+environment) Biological community (different populations in same area)

Population (localized group of organisms of same species) Organisms (Units of life) Organ systems Organs

TissueCells (1-100 m,Units of organisms) Organelles (ribosomes ca. 20 nm)

Macromolecule complex Molecules (atoms bonded chemically)

Atoms (Å, chemical building blocks of all matter)

The hierarchy of living world: Biological organizations at various levels

The relationship of Molecular Biology with other biological subjects

Life Sciences

MedicalSciences

Biology

Agri.Sciences

Macro(outdoor)

Micro(indoor)

Ecology, Behavior

Evolution

Systematics

MolecularBiology

Biochem

Microbiol

CellBiology

MolGenetics

Dev Biol

Immunol

MolNeurobiol

Others

Crop sciences

Animal husbandry

Veterinary

Pathology, clinic medicine

Preventive medicine

etc

Focus of various disciplines:

General biology: Anatomy, metabolism & systematics of living organisms (plants, animals, microbes).Microbiology/Virology: properties of microbes/viruses.Biochemistry: chemical nature and metabolism of biomolecules (macro- or small).Biophysics: Physical properties of biomoleculesMolecular/Genetics: transfer of genetic information between generations (genotype and phenotype).Cell biology: Structure & function of cells and organelles.Molecular biology: Molecular nature of macromolecules and gene replication & expression inside cells and manipulation in vitro.

Text book & course contents

Text book ： P.C. Turner et al. 2000. Instant Notes in Molecular Biology ， 2000 edition ， Bios Scientific Publishers Limited.

Uniqueness: Concise and easily assimilated; 19 sections with 70 topics; Each subsection (topic) contains a “Key notes” panel in addition to the main part of the topic; Sections or topics rather independent; Cross-reference.Reference book ： Benjamin Lewin. 2000. Gene VII ， Electronic version 2000 – one of the mainstream textbooks.

Week 1-2 : Cells and macromolecules (protein & nucleic acids) Week 3-5: DNA—chromosome, replication, repair Week 6-8: Transcription and its regulation in prokaryotesWeek 9-11: RNA—transcription and regulation, RNA processing in eukaryotesWeek 12-13: Ribosome, tRNA, mRNA and protein translationWeek 14-16: DNA recombination, genetic engineeringWeek 17-18: Genomics and post-genomics

周次 Lecture Topics (Quizz in the week in red)

第一周 (Section A) Course introduction, Cells and macromolecules

第二周 (Section B+C)

蛋白结构 (Protein Structure), 核酸的性质 (Properties of nucleic acids)

第三周 (Section D) Genetic material in brief, Prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosome structure

第四周 (Section E) DNA 复制 (DNA replication)

第五周 (Section F) DNA 损伤、修复和重组 (DNA damage, repair and recombination)

第六周 (K-Q brief) General introduction to gene, genetic codon and gene expression

第七周 (Section K) 原核转录 (Transcription in prokaryotes)

第八周 (Section L) 原核转录调控 (Regulation of transcription in prokaryotes)

第九周 (Section M) 真核转录 (Transcription in eukaryotes)

第十周 (Section N) 真核转录调控 (Regulation of transcription in eukaryotes)

第十一周 (Section O) RNA 加工和核糖核蛋白 (RNA processing and RNPs

第十二周 (Section P) Ribosome, tRNA, and mRNA

第十三周 (Section Q) 蛋白翻译 (protein synthesis)

第十四周 (SectionGH Gene technology in brief, Genetic manipulation & Cloning vectors

第十五周 (Section I) 基因文库和筛选 (Gene libraries and screening)

第十六周 (Section J) 分析和使用克隆的 DNA (Analysis and uses of cloned DNA)

第十七周 Genomics and post-genomics

第十八周 Review of course content and preparation for final exam

Course statements

As your instructor ：I ask myselfDo my best to prepare and give lectures. I trust students and belie

ve all of you can learn in an efficient way.

I ask my students1. You should trust your own capability to learn this course wha

tsoever how you have learnt other courses2. Preview can make you more efficient3. Efficiently use your class time, ask how much you have leant

(understood and mastered), any progress?4. Improve your study through discussion and quiz.5. Don’t be pretentious when you learn well and don’t be disapp

ointed, either, when you have difficulty (In this case, believe yourself you can catch up)

I am very happy to be your course instructor

Let’s work together to make this course

a great experience in your life

I am looking forward to having

a wonderful semester with all of you

Hope that you all enjoy the course

I am sure I will