BCMB 304: Molecular Biology II

The genetic code: Deciphering the code. Universality and degeneracy of the genetic code. Wobble hypothesis, colinearity of gene polypeptide.
Translation: Ribosome structure. Activation of Amino acids. Initiation, elongation and termination. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic. Post-translational modifications; Polysomes, inhibitors of protein synthesis.
Control of gene expression: Inducible and repressible operons, (lac and trp operons).
Mutation: molecular basis of mutation. Point mutation – transitions, transversions, frameshift mutations. Site-directed mutagenesis, Radiation induced mutation. Chemically induced mutation. DNA repair mechanisms.
Recombinant DNA and genetic engineering: Restriction endonucleases, Methods for recombinant DNA production, transformation, amplification, screening for cloned DNA.