• Biologic macromolecules: DNA, RNA, and proteins (structure, function, and the techniques for their isolation).
• Model organisms used in molecular biology.
• Main techniques of molecular biology used to analyze DNA, RNA and proteins and their manipulation (hybridization of nucleic acids, Southern, Northern, in situ hybridization, DNA sequencing, PCR, qPCR, techniques of genetic engineering, SDS-PAGE, Western blot, production and utility of mono- and polyclonal antibodies, HIC, IP, ChiP, Tag. A brief overview of tran-scriptomics.
• DNA topology and the topoisomerases.
• Chromatin condensation in eukariotes: structure of nucleosomes and the superior levels of compaction.
• DNA replication in phages, prokariotes and eukariotes.
• Transcription in prokariotes: structure of the transcriptional apparatus, promoters and the mechanisms of regulation.
• Transcription in eukariotes: structure of the transcriptional apparatus, promoters and the mechanisms of regulation.
• Splicing of RNA: molecular mechanisms and evolution.
• Translation in prokariotes described at the molecular level with the fundamental passages and mechanisms of regulation.
• Brief overview of translation in eukariotes with emphasis on difference with respect to prokariotes.
• DNA repair.
• Recombination.
• Transposons

All arguments will include an explanation of different experimental approaches aimed at demonstrating the current evidence. The students will thus review the main molecular biology techniques used in modern laboratories. Special emphasis will be given to the concept of proper controls allowing a correct interpretation of the experiments.