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DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a carrier of genetic information in each organism. Genetic engineering, the specific and directed alteration of an organism’s hereditary material, have changed modern biology and biotechnology. One of the best-known and most controversial applications of genetic engineering is the creation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) such as foods and vegetables designed to resist pest and bacteria infection and stay fresher longer. Genetically modified foods with superior nutritional value have also been developed. Protein engineering, a specific part of genetic engineering, is the process of developing useful or valuable proteins. This field is a young discipline with a majority of research currently focusing on understanding protein folding and protein recognition for protein design principles. Both rational protein design and directed evolution techniques based on random mutagenesis are employed to generate molecules with novel properties.
The course focuses on molecular and genetic tools used to analyze and modify genetic material and to modify organisms to produce desired molecules and proteins. Topics will include sequencing techniques, PCR, cloning vectors and hosts, DNA and protein microarrays, directed mutagenesis, and the manipulation of expression (and its levels) of particular gene products. Special attention will be directed to study biological systems utilized for the large scale production of recombinant autologous or heterologous proteins, focusing on advantages and disadvantages of each system, to allow students to evaluate and solve problems related to the expression of recombinant proteins. Furthermore, the course will explore major applications in genetic engineering in health care, forensics and agriculture. A historical overview will help students understand present day technologies. Lectures on protein engineering will focus on screening new proteins through bioinformatic analysis, rational design of proteins by computer modeling, construction of modified proteins by site-directed mutagenesis and directed evolution and characterization of modified proteins by biochemical and biophysical techniques.
Exercising and discussing recently learned knowledge from the course on gene and protein engineering
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