Molecular Biology of Prokaryotes
Code: 100775 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | OT | 4 |
Contact
- Name:
- Susana Campoy Sanchez
- Email:
- susana.campoy@uab.cat
Teachers
- Jesus Aranda Rodriguez
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
- Students are advised to review the scientific-technical content on which this subject is based
- It is advisable to take this course once the following subjects programmed in the previous years of the Degree of Biology have been studied: Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Functional Diversity of Microorganisms
Objectives and Contextualisation
It is a compulsory subject of the Biotechnology Bachelor, which introduces students to the knowledge of Molecular Microbiology. This subject is fundamental in the formation of the student since it enables him to understand the functioning of prokaryotes at the molecular level, allowing an understanding of the potential of microorganisms at the productive level as well as their possible applications.
The specific objectives to be achieved in this subject are the following:
- Know how to identify at the molecular level the mechanisms and microbiological processes
- Know how to identify the structure of the prokaryotic genetic material, know its mechanisms of replication and repair as well as the organizational variability they present and the relationship between these mechanisms and the cell cycle.
- Recognize the factors that control gene expression in prokaryotes and relate them to existing environmental conditions.
- To know the molecular mechanisms existing in prokaryotic organisms to control the entry of exogenous genetic material.
- Know the different genetic elements existing in prokaryotes, their distribution capacity and control systems for expression of the genes they include.
- Recognize the molecular basis of antibiotic resistance, its origins, transmission mechanisms and the impact they have on infectious processes.
Competences
- Act with ethical responsibility and respect for fundamental rights and duties, diversity and democratic values.
- Be able to analyse and synthesise
- Be able to organise and plan.
- Make changes to methods and processes in the area of knowledge in order to provide innovative responses to society's needs and demands.
- Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
- Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
- Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
- Students must develop the necessary learning skills to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
- Students must have and understand knowledge of an area of study built on the basis of general secondary education, and while it relies on some advanced textbooks it also includes some aspects coming from the forefront of its field of study.
- Take account of social, economic and environmental impacts when operating within one's own area of knowledge.
- Take sex- or gender-based inequalities into consideration when operating within one's own area of knowledge.
- Understand heredity mechanisms and the fundamentals of genetic improvement.
- Understand the processes that determine the functioning of living beings in each of their levels of organisation.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse a situation and identify its points for improvement.
- Be able to analyse and synthesise.
- Be able to organise and plan.
- Critically analyse the principles, values and procedures that govern the exercise of the profession.
- Explain the genetic bases of microorganisms and their mechanisms of genetic transfer.
- Propose new methods or well-founded alternative solutions.
- Propose viable projects and actions to boost social, economic and environmental benefits.
- Relate the basic microbial components and structures to their functions.
- Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
- Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
- Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
- Students must develop the necessary learning skills to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
- Students must have and understand knowledge of an area of study built on the basis of general secondary education, and while it relies on some advanced textbooks it also includes some aspects coming from the forefront of its field of study.
- Take sex- or gender-based inequalities into consideration when operating within one's own area of knowledge.
Content
The subject will be organized into two different parts:
- Participatory theoretical classes
- Resolution of practical cases, in which theoretical concepts are applied to solve problems and real cases associated with the subject matter.
The content of the subject consists of the following topics:
Topic 1. The Bacterial Chromosome and the Cell Cycle
Structural organization of the bacterial chromosome. Initiation, elongation, and termination of replication. Chromosome segregation and associated mechanisms. Regulation of cell division. Phases and regulation of the bacterial cell cycle.
Topic 2. Transcription in Prokaryotes I: Basic Organization and Control
Structure of promoters in bacteria and archaea. Monocistronic and polycistronic transcriptional units. Mechanisms of transcription initiation, elongation, and termination in bacteria. mRNA degradation. Mechanisms of transcription attenuation. Transcription in archaea: similarities and differences with bacteria.
Topic 3. Transcription in Prokaryotes II: Complex Regulation of Gene Expression
Mechanisms of transcriptional control. Regulation at the level of RNA polymerase. Global modulators and multigenic regulatory networks. Operons, regulons, and modulons. Regulatory RNAs and post-transcriptional control.
Topic 4. Mutagenesis and DNA Repair Mechanisms
Types of mutations: spontaneous, induced, lethal, and suppressor mutations. Adaptive response to alkylating agents. Mismatch repair (MMR). Photoreactivation. Base and nucleotide excision repair. Recombination-based repair. Emergency repair response or SOS system.
Topic 5. Bacterial Defense Mechanisms
Restriction-modification systems: types and functions. Mcr/Mrr systems. Adaptive immune systems in bacteria: CRISPRs. Retrons and other anti-phage systems. Type VI secretion systems as mechanisms of microbial competition.
Topic 6. Bacteria–Bacteriophage Interaction
Structure of bacteriophages. Regulation of viral gene expression. Temperate and virulent phages and their life cycles. Bacteriophage T4 as a lytic virus model. Lambda and P22 phages as models of temperate phages. Generalized, specialized, and lateral transduction. Phage conversion and its impact on bacterial physiology.
Topic 7. Mobile Genetic Elements
Insertion sequences (IS). Transposons. Mechanisms of transposition and their regulation. Integrons and their role in the cell. Pathogenicity islands and other mobile genetic elements.
Topic 8. Plasmids and Integrative Conjugative Elements (ICEs)
Molecular structure and properties of plasmids. Replication and maintenance. Incompatibility systems. Plasmid stability.
Topic 9. Bacterial Conjugation
Mechanisms of plasmid conjugation in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Conjugative and mobilizable plasmids. Transfer of plasmids and mobilization of the bacterial chromosome. ICEs and their role in microbial evolution. Ecological and evolutionary implications of conjugation.
Topic 10. Transformation, Vesiculation, and Other Horizontal Gene Transfer Mechanisms
Natural transformation. Competencestate. Molecular mechanisms associated with natural transformation. Bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs): biogenesis, composition, and functions. Intercellular nanotubes.
Topic 11. Mechanisms of Antimicrobial Resistance
Origin and evolution of antimicrobial resistance. Mechanisms of resistance to antimicrobials. Intrinsic vs. acquired resistance. Horizontal gene transfer and dissemination of resistance genes. The silent pandemic.
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Participatory master classes | 30 | 1.2 | 14, 4, 1, 5, 6, 7, 13, 12, 11, 9, 10, 8, 2, 3 |
| Practical cases resolution | 15 | 0.6 | 4, 1, 5, 6, 7, 13, 12, 9, 10, 8, 2, 3 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Individual tutorials | 1 | 0.04 | 4, 1, 6, 7, 12, 11, 9, 10, 2, 3 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Autonomous practical cases resolution | 31 | 1.24 | 4, 1, 12, 9, 10, 8, 2, 3 |
| Reading recommended texts | 8 | 0.32 | 4, 5, 12, 10, 8, 2, 3 |
| Study | 60 | 2.4 | 14, 4, 1, 5, 6, 7, 13, 12, 11, 9, 10, 8, 2, 3 |
The Prokaryotic Molecular Biology course consists of two modules of in-person activities:
Theoretical module: Composed of participatory lecture classes.
Practical case module: Consists of sessions in which practical cases and problems are solved, along with occasional methodological aspects related to the field of Prokaryotic Molecular Biology. These classes are conducted using a problem-based learning (PBL) approach with a small number of students, with the dual purpose of:
a) Facilitating understanding of the knowledge presented in the theoretical classes. Solving practical cases should allow the student to integrate theoretical knowledge with applied aspects.
b) Enabling the student to design basic experiments related to the course material and to interpret the data obtained.
At the beginning of the course, students will receive a dossier with a proposed set of problems for each topic, which they will work on throughout the semester. During the sessions of this module, methodological aspects are addressed and part of the problems in the dossier are solved collaboratively.
To ensure that the concepts used in the problem-solving sessions are always coordinated with the content already covered in the lectures, some reordering and/or swapping between theoretical and problem classes may be carried out at certain points in the course.
These changes will under no circumstances reduce the total number of in-person teaching sessions for the course.
The autonomous activities for this subject include: studying, reading texts, and solving problems.
Finally, students also have access to individual tutorials, scheduled in advance with the teaching team.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class participation in discussions and case development | 2% of the total course grade | 0 | 0 | 14, 4, 1, 5, 6, 7, 13, 12, 11, 9, 10, 8, 2, 3 |
| Individual resolution of case studies | 10% of the final grade | 1 | 0.04 | 14, 4, 1, 5, 6, 7, 13, 12, 11, 9, 10, 8, 2, 3 |
| Practical case resolution in the classroom | 8% of the final grade | 0 | 0 | 14, 4, 1, 5, 6, 7, 13, 12, 11, 9, 10, 8, 2, 3 |
| Theory written exam (1st section) | 35% of the total of the subject | 2 | 0.08 | 14, 4, 1, 5, 6, 7, 13, 12, 11, 9, 10, 8, 2, 3 |
| Theory written exam (2nd section) | 45% of the total of the subject | 2 | 0.08 | 14, 4, 1, 5, 6, 7, 13, 12, 11, 9, 10, 8, 2, 3 |
The course assessment will be individual and may follow either a continuous or a single-assessment format, through the following evaluations:
Continuous Assessment
- Theory Module (80% of the final grade):
Throughout the course, two written evaluations will be scheduled for this module. These are cumulative: the second test will include all course content. The first exam will account for 35% of the final grade and will cover theoretical aspects, while the second will represent 45%. To pass this module, the weighted average of both exams must be equal to or higher than 5 (out of 10).
If the grade obtained in the second exam is higher than the first, the final module grade will correspond to the second exam.
Each exam will include short-answer theoretical questions (worth up to 4 points out of 10) and problem-solving questions (worth up to 8 points out of 10).
If the module is not passed, it may be retaken during the resit period at the end of the semester. In this case, the maximum achievable grade will be 8 out of 10.
Students who have passed the module may opt for a grade improvement exam, scheduled for the same day as the resit. This improvement assessment will include questions covering all course content. Students choosing to take this exam must formally waive their previous grade in writing to the course coordinator at least 72 hours before the scheduled exam date.
- 2. Practical Case Module (20% of the final grade):
Assessment for this module will consist of the following components:
a) In-class resolution of assigned case studies – worth 4 out of 10 points.
b) Class participation in discussions and case elaboration – worth 1 out of 10 points.
c) Individual resolution of a practical case, assigned at the end of the semester and submitted via the virtual campus before the second theory exam – worth 5 out of 10 points.
General Considerations:
To pass the course, students must obtain a minimum score of 5 in the theory module and achieve an overall final grade of at least 5. The final grade is the weighted average of the grades from both modules.
To be eligible for the resit exam, students must have been previously assessed on activities accounting for at least two-thirds of the total course grade. Therefore, students will receive a grade of "Not Assessable" if the completed assessment activities account for less than 67% of the final grade.
From the second enrollment onward, students who have already passed the practical case module are not required to repeat it.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
For this course, the use of AI is permitted solely for support tasks, such as literature or information searches, text correction or translation, or other uses as determined by the instructor.
Students must clearly indicate which parts were generated using AI, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these tools influenced both the process and the final outcome.
Failure to transparently disclose the use of AI in an assessed activity will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in partial or total penalization of the activity grade, or more severe sanctions in serious cases.
Single Assessment:
Single assessment consists of one comprehensive exam that covers all theoretical content of the course and assesses problem-solving skills. The grade from this exam will constitute 100% of the final course grade. This exam will be scheduled on the same day as the second theory test in the continuous assessment format. To pass, students must achieve a score equal to or greater than 5. Otherwise, they must take the resit exam, which will be equivalent in format and content. A passing grade of 5 or higher is required to pass the course.
Bibliography
Larry Snyder and Wendy Champness. Molecular Genetics of Bacteria (5th Edition). ASM press (ISBN: 978-1555819750)
Larry Snyder and Wendy Champness. Molecular Genetics of Bacteria (4th Edition). ASM press (ISBN:978-1555816278) on line (https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma991010432874206709)
Jeremy W. Dale and Simon F. Park. Molecular Genetics of Bacteria (5th Edition). Wiley- Blackwell (ISBN: 978-0-470-74184-9)
Software
In this course it is not foreseen to use any specific software
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 421 | Catalan | second semester | afternoon |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 422 | Catalan | second semester | afternoon |
| (TE) Theory | 42 | Catalan | second semester | afternoon |