Course: Genetic and Protein Engineering

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Course title Genetic and Protein Engineering
Course code KMB/938
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Practice
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Frequency of the course In each academic year, in the summer semester.
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction English
Status of course unspecified
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Pichová Iva, Ing. CSc.
  • Sobotka Roman, prof. Ing. Ph.D.
Course content
Content of lectures: 1. DNA structure, history, sequencing, plasmids, cloning 2. Recombinant DNA technology, cosmids, BACs, DNA libraries 3. Gene expression in prokaryotes, promoters, expression systems, Escherichia coli 4. Microbial biotechnology, recombinant enzymes, drugs, bioremediation 5. Eukaryotic expression systems, yeast, insect cells 6. Yeast biotechnology 7. Transgenic animals, side-directed mutagenesis 8. Protein folding, design, mutagenesis, industrial enzymes 9 . Transgenic plants, methodology, Bt and HT plants 10. Second generation of transgenic plants, biopharming, regulation, public issues 11. Protein engineering: directed evolution, library preparation, display systems, applications 12. Protein purification, recombinant proteins, protein solubility, chromatographic techniques, protein tagging Content of tutorials: Purification and analysis of recombinant proteins from Escherichia coli

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Demonstration, Laboratory
  • Preparation for classes - 100 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
Protein engineering, a specific part of genetic engineering, is the process of developing useful or valuable proteins. It is a young discipline, with much research currently dedicated to the understanding of protein folding and protein recognition for protein design principles. Both rational protein design and directed evolution techniques based on random mutagenesis are employed to generate molecules with novel properties. The course focuses on the molecular and genetic tools used to analyze and modify genetic material and to modify organisms to produce desired molecules and proteins. Topics will include sequencing techniques, cloning vectors and hosts, directed mutagenesis, and the manipulation of expression (and its levels) of particular gene products. Special attention will be directed to study biological systems utilized for the large scale production of recombinant autologous or heterologous proteins, focusing on advantages and disadvantages of each system, to allows students to evaluate and solve problems related to the expression of recombinant proteins. Furthermore, during the course, the major applications of genetic engineering in health care, forensics and agriculture will be presented. Historical overview will help students to understand present day technologies. Lectures on protein engineering will focus on preparation of gene libraries, selection of new proteins by display systems (phage, cell and cell-free) and applications (enzymes, antibodies). Students will also learn how to express and purify proteins using available techniques.

Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of biochemistry, genetics and cell biology. A minimal laboratory practice - pippeting, preparation of biological buffers, calculation of solution concentrations.

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance assessment

Credit: completion of all laboratory exercises, submission of a laboratory protocols Examination: Written test (min. 50%)
Recommended literature
  • Glick, R., Pasternak, J.J., Patten, C.L. Molecular Biotechnology. 2010. ISBN 978-1-55581-498-4.
  • Sheldon J.P., Cochran J.R. Protein Engineering and Design. 2009. ISBN 9781420076585, CRC Press.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester