1. DNA/RNA Structure & Replication
-
Structure of DNA and RNA (nucleotides, base pairing, helical forms).
-
Replication mechanisms in prokaryotes vs. eukaryotes.
-
Roles of DNA polymerases, primase, helicase, ligase, telomerase.
-
Differences in origin of replication, replication fork, and Okazaki fragments.
-
Mechanisms ensuring replication fidelity.
2. Gene Regulation
-
Prokaryotic regulation: lac operon, trp operon.
-
Eukaryotic regulation: transcription factors, enhancers, silencers, chromatin remodeling.
-
Epigenetic regulation: DNA methylation, histone modifications.
-
Post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation.
-
Real examples: environmental response (bacteria) and developmental regulation (eukaryotes).
3. Mutations & Repair
-
Types of mutations: point, frameshift, nonsense, missense, chromosomal.
-
Causes: spontaneous vs. induced.
-
DNA repair systems: mismatch repair, base excision, nucleotide excision, homologous recombination, non-homologous end joining.
-
Genetic disorders linked to repair defects (e.g., xeroderma pigmentosum, Lynch syndrome).
4. Transcription & Translation
-
Transcription process: initiation, elongation, termination.
-
RNA processing: capping, splicing, polyadenylation.
-
Translation steps: initiation, elongation, termination, ribosome structure.
-
Post-transcriptional regulation: RNA interference, alternative splicing, RNA editing.
-
Significance in controlling gene expression and protein diversity.
5. Genetic Technologies
-
PCR: principle, applications, limitations.
-
Cloning vectors and expression systems.
-
CRISPR-Cas9: mechanism, applications in gene editing.
-
DNA sequencing technologies (Sanger, next-generation).
-
Real-world applications in diagnostics, therapy, and research.
6. Transcriptomics & Proteomics
-
Transcriptomics: RNA-seq, microarrays, expression profiling.
-
Proteomics: 2D gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, protein-protein interaction studies.
-
Limitations (e.g., transcript ≠ protein abundance).
-
Case studies: cancer biomarker discovery, personalized medicine.
7. Cancer Genetics
-
Oncogenes vs. tumor suppressor genes.
-
Hallmarks of cancer: uncontrolled growth, evading apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis.
-
Role of mutations, chromosomal instability, and epigenetics in cancer.
-
Specific examples: BRCA1/2 in breast cancer, p53 mutations, RAS oncogenes.
-
Molecular pathology techniques for cancer detection.
8. Population Genetics
-
Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and its assumptions.
-
Genetic variation: SNPs, polymorphisms, haplotypes.
-
Forces shaping variation: mutation, selection, genetic drift, migration.
-
Applications in human disease studies and evolutionary genetics.
-
Case examples: sickle cell anemia and malaria resistance.
9. Applications & Ethics
-
Gene therapy: strategies, successes, risks.
-
GMOs in agriculture and medicine.
-
Personalized medicine based on genetic testing.
-
Ethical debates: genetic privacy, designer babies, germline editing.
-
International guidelines and bioethics frameworks.
Curriculum
- 1 Section
- 0 Lessons
- 10 Weeks
- Exam10
- 1.1Assess the impact of modern genetic technologies such as PCR, CRISPR-Cas9, and next-generation sequencing on research and medicine. Provide examples where these tools have directly advanced our understanding or treatment of disease20 Minutes
- 1.2Compare and contrast the replication mechanisms of prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA, highlighting the roles of key enzymes and structural differences that impact replication fidelity.20 Minutes
- 1.3Describe the genetic and molecular mechanisms that underlie cancer development, including oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and genomic instability. Illustrate your answer with examples of specific cancers where these mechanisms are well-studied.20 Minutes
- 1.4Discuss how transcriptomics and proteomics complement each other in studying cellular function. What limitations exist in each approach, and how can combining them provide a more complete picture of gene expression and regulation?20 Minutes
- 1.5Discuss the similarities and differences between gene regulation in prokaryotes (e.g., operon models) and eukaryotes (e.g., epigenetic modifications). Provide examples of how these regulatory mechanisms respond to environmental or developmental signals20 Minutes
- 1.6Evaluate how different types of mutations (point mutations, insertions/deletions, chromosomal rearrangements) affect gene expression and protein function. How do DNA repair systems minimize the impact of these mutations, and what happens when these systems fail?20 Minutes
- 1.7Evaluate the applications of molecular genetics in medicine and biotechnology (e.g., gene therapy, GMOs, personalized medicine). Discuss the major ethical considerations that arise from these applications.20 Minutes
- 1.8Explain how population genetics tools are used to analyze genetic variation. How can such analyses provide insights into human evolution, disease susceptibility, and the effectiveness of public health interventions?20 Minutes
- 1.9Explain the molecular steps of transcription and translation, then analyze the importance of post-transcriptional regulation (e.g., RNA splicing, RNA interference) in controlling protein diversity and abundance.20 Minutes
- 1.10Thesis Question (Choose 1 and elaborate in-depth)3 Hours
