Essentials of Molecular Biology - MB140P71E
Title: Essentials of Molecular Biology
Czech title: Základy molekulární biologie
Guaranteed by: Department of Genetics and Microbiology (31-140)
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Actual: from 2024
Semester: summer
E-Credits: 4
Examination process: summer s.:combined
Hours per week, examination: summer s.:3/0, Ex [HT]
Capacity: unlimited
Min. number of students: unlimited
4EU+: no
Virtual mobility / capacity: no
State of the course: taught
Language: English
Note: priority enrollment if the course is part of the study plan
Guarantor: RNDr. Martin Pospíšek, Ph.D.
Teacher(s): RNDr. Martin Pospíšek, Ph.D.
RNDr. Kristina Roučová, Ph.D.
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Annotation -
The aim of the lecture is to explain fundamentals of molecular biology in the historical context of the development
of molecular genetics. In addition to the necessary facts, emphasis is given on explaining experiments that led to
fundamental discoveries of molecular biology. All molecular processes are explained in representatives of all
three major forms of life - bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes in parallel. If there are differences in the level of
replication and manifestation of genetic information between unicellular and multicellular organisms, they are also
discussed. Impact of the discussed facts on the possible treatment of microbial and parasitic infections is
explained. The lecture refers to the practical aspects including medical practice whenever it is possible. Historical
milestones of molecular biology, genomics and proteomics, and the basics of genetic engineering are also
discussed.
Last update: Lichá Irena, RNDr., CSc. (18.03.2019)
Literature -

T.D.Pollard a kol. Cell Biology, Elsevier Health Sciences, 2007; http://www.els.net/ ; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; B. Alberts a kol., Molecular biology of the cell, 5th Edition, Garland Publishing, Inc., 2008

H.Lodish a kol., Molecular cell biology, 6th Edition, W.H. Freeman and company, 2008

B. Lewin, Genes IX, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2008

J.D. Watson a kol., Recombinant DNA 3rd. Edition, CSHL Press, 2007

Last update: Lichá Irena, RNDr., CSc. (18.03.2019)
Syllabus -

1) Historical milestones in genetics and molecular biology, explanation of basic experiments. Differences between the domains Bacteria, Eukarya, and Archaea. Model organisms, their brief description and comparison. Introduction to genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. Genomes and their analysis, main public molecular biology databases and orientation in them.
2) Composition of living cells: small molecules and macromolecules, chemical bonds and interactions. Primary, secondary, tertiary and higher structures of nucleic acids and proteins.
3) Storage and replication of genetic information: Definition of a gene. The central dogma of molecular biology and its current form. Bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic chromosomes; plasmid, mitochondrial, and chloroplast DNA. Transposable elements. DNA replication and regulation of replication initiation – comparison of bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes.
4) Gene expression: bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic transcription and translation, genetic code. Post-transcriptional and post-translational modifications. Localization, stability, and degradation of proteins and mRNA. Model examples of gene expression regulation in all three domains of organisms.
RNA interference.
5) Mutations, mutagenesis, and DNA repair. Genetic basis of carcinogenesis.
6) Basic techniques of genetic engineering: PCR, real-time PCR, sequencing, analytical electrophoretic separation of proteins and nucleic acids, DNA vectors, basics of recombinant molecule creation, genome and cDNA libraries. Methods of transcriptome monitoring and mapping of protein-protein interactions in vivo. Basic molecular biology databases – working with NCBI-NIH, etc.
More information, texts, and lecture presentations, including updated lists of recommended literature, are available to students enrolled in the course in the corresponding Google Classroom. Students will receive an invitation at the start of the course.

Last update: Pospíšek Martin, RNDr., Ph.D. (27.02.2026)
Learning outcomes -

After successfully completing the course, students will understand the course material at least to the extent of the published course description and syllabus.

Last update: Pospíšek Martin, RNDr., Ph.D. (27.02.2026)