Biologia i genetyka 1755-F1-BGEN-J

Lectures on the subject "Biology and genetics" are intended to familiarize students with the organization of living matter, especially the structure of cells, which are the basic units of life. The function of given organella, as well as the types of transportations trough the biological membranes will be discussed. Moreover, the students will learn about the course of cell cycle and the mechanisms regulating it, as well as about genetic aspects of cell differentiation. Types of cell divisions will be also presented. Lectures of "Biology and genetics" familiarize students with basic laws of heredity (Mendel's laws, chromosomal theory of inheritance, gene interaction: epistasis, pleiotropy, complementation), inheritance of quantitative and qualitative traits, the concepts of transgression and heritability as well as selected defects and chronic diseases with multifactorial etiology. The relationships between organisms and the environment, to assess human genetic predispositions to the development of diseases will be discussed. The student will also acquires knowledge about the environmental causes and epidemiology of congenital defects, about the genetic polymorphism of the human population. The lecture will demonstrate the knowledge of the functioning of the immune system and basics of immunogenetics
Different types of immune response will be explained: innate and adaptative immunity, active and passive immunity as well as natural and artificial immunity. Students will gain the knowledge about the sources of T cell and B cell diversity, genes encoding TCRs, and BCRs (antiobodies), and the major histocompability complex (MHC). Molecular mechanisms of vaccination will be presented.
Lectures of the course of "Biology and genetics" are also intended to familiarize students with the definitions of parasitism and introduce issues related to biocenotic interactions, types of parasites and hosts, the evolution of the parasite-host system, the concepts of active and passive invasion and invasive disease. General principles of testing material for the presence of parasites will also be presented. The lectures are intended to familiarize students with direct and indirect methods of examining parasites, coproscopic methods, blood tests, immunological techniques and parasitological diagnostics using molecular biology methods. This knowledge should allow students to develop the ability of proper interpretation of test results. Students will also learn about the mechanism of action of the most common drugs used in the treatment of diseases caused by different parasites.
Laboratories in the course of "Biology and genetics" are partially related to the issues discussed in lectures. Laboratory classes are aimed at familiarizing students with curriculum content such as the chemical composition of nucleic acids, the Watson and Crick model of DNA structure, physical and chemical properties of nucleic acids, alternative DNA structures, the structure and chemical composition of chromatin, DNA replication in Pro- and Eukaryota. During laboratory exercises, students also gain knowledge about the structure, function and types of RNA, genetic code, transcription mechanisms and post-transcriptional processes in Pro- and Eukaryota cells, mechanisms and stages of protein biosynthesis and regulation of gene expression in Prokaryota and Eukaryota. The laboratories are also intended to familiarize students with the division of variability, types of recombination and mutations, mutagenic factors, DNA repair mechanisms, disease syndromes associated with DNA repair disorders, tests for monitoring the effects of environmental pollution and the basics of genetic counseling. Students also learn to diagnose the phenotype, make a preliminary diagnosis, and construct and analyze a pedigree. Laboratory exercises present the basics of single-gene inheritance (classical genetics) of normal traits and diseases, inherited autosomally, sex-linked, recessively and dominantly. According to Mendel's laws, blood groups are also inherited - antigens and antibodies of the AB0 system, the Bombay phenomenon, the Rh group system, serological conflict in the Rh system and other blood group systems are discussed. The definitions of karyotype and karyogram, chromosome testing methods, the phenomenon of genomic imprinting and the formation and significance of uniparental disomy will be discussed. The laboratories are also intended to familiarize students with cytogenetic diagnostic techniques. The criteria for distinguishing sexes, sex chromosomes, Lyon's theory and disease syndromes associated with changes in the number of heterochromosomes will be discussed. Students also acquire the ability to stain oral epithelial cells for the presence of Barr bodies. Laboratories are "Biology and genetics" are also of a practical nature (microscopic observation of selected parasites), because the aim is to familiarize students with microscopy techniques and diagnosis of parasites in permanent preparations. The biology, life cycles and pathogenicity of selected protozoa are discussed: Trichomonas vaginalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba coli, Giardia lamblia, Balantidium coli, Trypanosoma gambiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, Naegleria fowleri, Leishmania donovani. Moreover, he biology, life cycles and pathogenicity of selected flatworm and roundworms are discussed: Fasciola hepatica, Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma mansoni, Clonorchis sinensis, Paragonimus westermani, wybranych tasiemców: Diphyllobothrium latum, Taenia saginata, Taenia solium, Echinococcus granulosus oraz wybranych nicieni: Enterobius vermicularis, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati, Trichinella spiralis, Wuchereria bancrofti, Oncocerca volvulus, Loa loa. The biology of selected parasitic arthropods is also discussed: Sarcoptes scabiei, Ixodes ricinus, Argas reflexus, Blatella germanica, Pediculus humanus, Pthirus pubis, Cimex lectularius, Anopheles maculipennis, Culex pipiens, Musca domestica, Glossina palpalis, Pulex irritans.