1. To provide a course introducing students to the principles of Molecular Biology, making them understand the molecular mechanisms and the role of molecules carrying genetic information.

2. To provide knowledge on the powerful techniques of Molecular Biology, thus opening new roads for research and applications in the wide field of Biological Sciences.

At the end of the course students should: a) Know the genomic structure of DNA and the diversity of chromosomes of different organisms, b) Have understood the terms “gene density” and the relation existing between the size of a genome and the complexity of the respective organism, c) Know the regular association of DNA with histones to form structures called nucleosomes, as well as the significant role of histone modifiers, d) Be able to use the major techniques of Molecular Biology, which can be used in recombinant DNA technology, e) Know the mechanisms of DNA replication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, along with their differences, f) Know the causes and the effect of mutations, as well as the molecular mechanisms of DNA repair, g) Know the definition and the meaning of transcriptional units, as well as its role in cell growth, proliferation and differentiation, h) Know the difference between strong and weak promoters, as well as the mechanism of transcription in prokaryotes, i) Know the significance of general and particular factors for transcription initiation in eukaryotes, and the differences in the steps of translation elongation and termination between eukaryotes and prokaryotes, j) Know non-coding RNAs are generated, k) Know the basic mechanisms of regulation of transcription in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, l) Know the mechanisms of RNA splicing and the significance of this process for the production of alternative spliced variants originating from single genes, m) Know the structure and function of tRNA molecules and ribosomes, n) Know the significance of the genetic code and its degeneracy, wobbling and pairing of codons with anticodons, o) Know the mechanisms of mRNA translation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, identify their similarities and differences, as well as the role of ribosomal RNA in protein synthesis, p) Have understood the importance of the course of Molecular Biology and its central position in Biological Sciences, as well as the significance of the powerful techniques of Molecular Biology in Pharmacy, Health, Agriculture, Biotechnology, q) Be able to cooperate with his/her teammates in the framework of lab experiments, to acquire data, analyse experimental results, discuss and present experimental findings.

Structure and properties of DNA and RNA (4 Hrs) - Recombinant DNA technology (10 Hrs) - DNA replication (12 Hrs) - Transcription in prokaryotes (8 Hrs) - Transcription in eukaryotes (8 Hrs); Protein biosynthesis (10 Hrs).

1. DNA isolation from animal tissues – 2. RNA isolation from animal tissues – 3. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) – 4. Transfection of bacteria with recombinant plasmids – 5. Isolation of recombinant plasmid DNA – 6. Agarose gel electrophoresis – 7. DNA mapping using restriction endonucleases – 8. Bacteriophage plaque assay for phage titration

The evaluation process is carried out in the Greek language (or the English language for Erasmus students) via a written examination covering the whole of the syllabus on the same day and it includes: A. Written examination of the laboratory with: a) Short open-ended questions to assess students' critical thought on the methodologies and practices applied, b) Problems to assess their skills in analysing and synthesizing data and information, c) Exercises to assess their inductive reasoning aptitude as well as their ability to apply the knowledge acquired to solve research problems. B. Written examination of the course with graded difficulty questions including: a) Multiple choice and matching questions, b) Short open-ended questions, c) Problems and/or exercises based on the theoretical knowledge provided in lectures.

The written laboratory examination accounts for 20% of the total mark and the written theory examination accounts for 80% of the total mark. The evaluation criteria for the course are described on the e-Class: https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/BIOL173/