Course: Molecular methods in zoology I.

« Back
Course title Molecular methods in zoology I.
Course code KZO/149
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Lesson
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Frequency of the course In each academic year, in the winter semester.
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Piálková Radka, RNDr. Ph.D.
  • Piálek Lubomír, RNDr. Ing. Ph.D.
Course content
Content of lectures: The focus of this course is on practical exercises that will be supplemented by specialized lectures on each topic. Content of practicals: 1. Collecting, fixation and preservation of genetic samples. Invasive and non-invasive methods. 2. DNA extraction, quality and quantity assessment. Quantitation of DNA by a fluorometric method. Agarose gel electrophoresis. 3. PCR amplification of standard phylogenetic/microsatellite markers. 4. Purification and separation techniques. Sequencing reaction preparation. 5. PCR as an analytical method. Allele-specific amplification - molecular sexing of birds, analysis of hybridism in cyprinid fishes. 6. Barcoding and its utility. Genealogical mtDNA test. 7. Introduction into processing of obtained sequence/microsatellite data.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Laboratory
  • Class attendance - 56 hours per semester
  • Preparation for classes - 4 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The objective of the course is familiarization with methods of molecular biology applied in current zoological research.
Students acquire skills in basic molecular-biology laboratory techniques such as genomic DNA extraction, measuring of DNA concentration, quality assessment on agarose gel or PCR amplification in a context of methods used in current zoological research (sequencing of standard phylogenetic markers, barcoding, allele-specific amplification, microsatellite genotyping).
Prerequisites
No requirements on previous laboratory experience.

Assessment methods and criteria
Systematic student observation

100% presence and active participation in exercises is required.
Recommended literature
  • Šmarda J. a kol. Metody molekulární biologie. Masarykova univerzita, Brno, 2010..
  • Šmehilová M. a kol. Laboratorní cvičení z molekulární biologie. Univerzita Palackého, Olomouc, 2014..
  • Zima J. a kol. Genetické metody v zoologii. PřF UK, Praha, 2004..


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Zoology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -