BIOLOGY 552
Edward L. Loechler
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY I
24 Cummington St.
TOPIC
Rm. 703
DATE
FALL/2008
617-353-9259
loechler@bu.edu
TEXT: Watson (6th Edition)
PROKARYOTES
A) Techniques
1) Bacterial genetics
2) Recombinant DNA techniques
B) Cellular Machinery
1) Replication
a) Nucleic acid structure, topology
b) DNA synthesis
2) DNA-related topics
a) DNA repair and mutagenesis
b) Recombination
Sept. 2 - Sept. 4
21 (739-758)
Sept. 9 - Sept. 18
6 (101-126)
8 (195-256)
Sept. 23 - Sept. 30
9 (257-282)
10 (283-303)
(LAST DROP with no “W” Oct. 6)
****EXAM I, Material in Sections A1 - B2 (Oct. 16 or 21, 3:30-7:30, LSE-B01)****
3) Transcription
Oct. 2 - Oct 7
12 (377-396)
4) Translation
Oct. 7 - Oct. 9
14 (457-519)
(LAST DROP with “W” Nov. 10)
C) Gene Expression in Bacteria
Oct. 21 - Nov. 4
1) Lac operon: negative induction
2) Catabolite repression: positive induction
3) Ara operon: pos/neg induction, DNA loops
4) Lambda: complex control
5) Trp operon: negative repression, attenuation
6) LexA: autoregulation
16 (547-587)
************EXAM II, Material in Sections B3 - C6 (Dec. 4, 3:30-7:30pm, LSE-B01)************
EUKARYOTES
D) Eukaryotic Molecular Biology
Nov. 6 - Dec. 11
1) Genome organization and copy number
2) RNA capping
3) 3’-cleavage/polyadenylation
3) RNA splicing
4) Transcription
7 (135-144)
14 (460, 482-487), 13 (452-453)
12 (406-410)
13 (415-441)
12 (396-410), 7(174-187)
*********EXAM III (non-cumulative), Material in Section D: (Dec. 20, 3 - 7pm in XXXXX) ********
BIOLOGY 552
1.
2.
Instructors:
Edward L. Loechler
Office hours:
TF: Gabe Sholder
Office hours:
Lectures:
Undergrad Discussion
Grad Discussion
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY I
24 Cummington St.
M (10 – 11)
24 Cummington St.
TBA
T 3:30 - 5:00 (LSEB01)
M 1:00 - 2:00 (BRB121)
TBA
LSEB703
T (2 - 3)
LSEB748
FALL/2008
617-353-9259
R (2 – 3)
617-353-6997
R 3:30 - 5:00 (LSEB01)
T 5:00 - 6:00 (BRB121)
loechler@bu.edu
gsholder@bu.edu
R 5:00 - 6:00 (BRB121)
3.
Prerequisites:
BI203 (Cell Biology) and BI206 (Genetics), or equivalents, or consent.
4.
Text:
Molecular Biology of the Gene (6th Edition, Watson, others), supplemental, not required
5.
Grading:
Exam
I
Exam II
Exam III
Homework
Discussion
25%
25%
25% (Final’s week, not cumulative)
12.5%
12.5%
The two midterms and the final have identical formats.
Part I (short answers)
10 questions
(30 points total)
Part II (short essays)
4 questions
(40 points total)
Part III (thought questions)
2 questions
(30 points total)
Four homework problem sets will be assigned; they are dispersed throughout the semester. Homework
is due at the beginning of lecture on the due date, which is always a Tuesday. Homework is NOT accepted
late (except in unusual circumstances, as arranged in advance), because answers are handed out on the due
date. Your work on homework is expected to be your own. However, the goal of the homework is learning.
If you are “stuck”, then getting a little help from a co-student is not only acceptable, it is desirable. However,
simply copying someone else’s work is unacceptable and does not achieve the goal of learning.
Five papers from the primary literature will be assigned; they are dispersed throughout the semester. In
a regularly scheduled Discussion Section, you will be expected to be prepared to discuss this paper. Your
Discussion grade will depend on your participation. If you can not attend your regularly scheduled
Discussion Section, then arrange with Prof. Loechler to attend an alternative Discussion Section.
6.
Absences:
Lectures: The information in BI552 can only be obtained by attending lecture; e.g., BI552 does not
closely follow any book. Thus, attending lectures is essential. If you miss a lecture, be sure to get a copy of
the notes from someone.
Discussion: The Discussion Sections are used: (1) to discuss answers to homework assignments, (2) to
discuss papers assigned from the primary literature (see “Grading”), and (3) to review in preparation for
exams. Attendance of Discussion Sections is very helpful. However, it is only essential to your grade vis-avis the discussion of papers from the literature; i.e., you will be graded for attendance, as well as
participation in the discussion of the papers from the literature.
Exams:
Only a significant medical problem or a genuine emergency is an acceptable reason not to
take an exam during its regularly scheduled time. To take a make-up exam, you will have to document the
problem or emergency; e.g., a note from a physician/doctor is required for a medical issue. Make-up exams
are discouraged for many reasons. Make-up exams are scheduled at a time that is mutually acceptable to the
BIOLOGY 552
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY I
FALL/2008
Instructor and to all students who must take it.
7. Other:
I use colored markers, so you may wish to come with colored pencils or pens.