Objectivos

Based on fundamental aspects of genetics and molecular biology it is expected that students acquire an advanced level of understanding in the study of chromosomes in their multiple roles as replication, segregation and gene expression units.

Programa Teórico

1. General aspects of prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes.
2. Structural definition of the eukaryotic chromosome during the cell cycle.
3. Chromosomal segregation in mithosis and meiosis.
4. Morphological aspects of the chromosome: centromers, telomers, euchromatin and heterochromatin, chromosomal proteins.
5. Characterization of the functional sequences of the chromosome and associated proteins: Replication origins, Centromeric and telomeric DNA.
6. Molecular analysis of the levels of chromosomal packaging: histones, nucleosomal formation. Chemical modification of teh histones and their function. Role of proteins involved in this process. The nucleus and the nuclear matrix.
7. Relation between variation in chromosomal structure and gene expression. Analysis of several examples.
8. Chromatin remodeling mechanisms and the control of gene expression. Maintenance of structural levels of activity in the chromatin. Epigenetics heredity. Analysis of different examples.
9. Chromosomal recombination. Chromosomal and DNA reparation mechanisms.
10. Classification of chromosomal mutations and their origin. Changes in chromosome number: euploid and aneuploid. Structural changes as for example: transloctions, deletions, duplications. Their ocorrence on mithosis and meiosis. Analysis of several cases. Chromosomal

1. karyotipical analysis.
2. Nomenclature of bands in the observation of chromosomes.
3. Problem solving.
4. research of scientific papers and discussion.
5. Seminar presentation and discussion.

Krebs, J.E., Goldstein, E., Kilpatrick, S.T. (2011) "Lewins Genes X". Jones and Bartlet Publishers.
Lewis, R. (2005) “Human Genetics”. 6th edition McGraw Hill
Lodish, H.; Berk, A.; Kaiser, C.; Krieger, M.; Scott, M.; Bretscher, A.; Ploegh, H.; Matsudaira, P. (2008) "Molecular Cell Biology". 6th edition. W.H. Freeman and Company.
Watson, J.; Baker T.; Bell, S.; Gann, A.; Levine, M.; Losick, R. (2008) “Molecular Biology of the Gene”. 6th edition. Pearson International Edition.
Artigos científicos e de revisão.

Exame (80%) e apresentação e discussão de seminário (20%)