Academic management

Molecular techniques are essential for the estimation of diversity in the marine environment, both intra- and inter-species. Their knowledge and practical use is a tool of increasing use in all biodiversity studies. Students must know their technical bases, know how to apply them in practice and know their main applications. In this context, basic training is necessary to be able to understand and apply the techniques of molecular biology to the management and conservation of living marine species. The course offered is fundamentally practical. The instruments to carry out the practices and the knowledge and bibliography required for its complete development are available in the Scientific-Technical Services of the University of Oviedo.

Requirements:

Knowledge of molecular genetics at a pre-graduate level is required (Introduction to Molecular Genetics). For students who do not reach the minimum level required, the possibility of a pre-formation guided by professors in charge of the subject is considered before the beginning of the course.

Knowledge of the English language is mandatory.

Students will learn various modern methodologies of genetics and molecular ecology, as well as the theoretical and practical basis of genetic tools for their application in the study and management of marine ecosystems.

The final objective is the learning of molecular techniques for their application in the determination of genetic diversity, as well as in the identification of taxonomic units and other applications of importance in marine sciences. The student will also learn to manage public databases to identify new techniques and sequences and products of interest in molecular biology.

- Sample preservation for genetic analysis. DNA and RNA extraction protocols. DNA and RNA quantification and quality assessment.

- PCR Amplification, Primer design, gel electrophoresis and PCR purification. Software for primer design. Real time PCR.

- Techniques for detecting DNA variation based on PCR: loci VNTR, RFLP, AFLP, RAPD, SSCP, SNP.

- Microsatellite amplification and data analysis.

- DNA Sequencing. Software for analysis, edition and alignment of sequences.

- Applications of variable genetic markers to the study of population genetic structure and gene flow.

- Invariant genetic markers and their applications. Identification of races and stocks. Developing plans for preserving significant populations. Species identification: detection of hybridization, stock assessment, fraud detection. Development of invariant markers: sequences of choice, universality.

- Strategies for developing new genetic markers. Marker choice depending on study objectives. Heterologous markers, advantages and problems. Homologous markers: from the gene library to the DNA chip

- Next Generation Sequencing

- Looking at the transcriptome: applications

- Molecular databases in Internet: GenBank, ENSEMBL, SWISSPROT.

Theoretical sessions: All topics begin with an introductory presentation by the teachers. They are completed with discussion and critical analysis of materials and literature by students.

Practical exercises: These include laboratory and computer work. Both are individual, guided by the teachers. During the exercise the student will complete a script or practice notebook that will be provided previously, in which the student will answer questions and relevant issues related to the techniques and processes he/she is learning. Finally, the student will prepare a brief report with the main conclusions of the practice.

Exceptionally, if the health conditions require it, non-attendance teaching activities may be included. In this case, students will be informed of the changes made

Attendance: minimum 80% of the sessions

Evaluation: 40% active participation in class discussions. 60%: active participation, development and use of the practical classes, reflected in the practice notebook and in the final conclusions, as well as in the report of a short research project. Continuous evaluation is considered, since contact with the teachers is continuous throughout the course.

Exceptionally, if health conditions require it, methods of non-presential evaluation may be included. In this case, the student will be informed of the changes made

Web pages:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

http://www.ebi.ac.uk/embl/

Basic Textbook:

Griffiths, A. J. F., Miller, J. H., Suzuki, D. T., Lewontin, R. C. & Gelbart, W. M. (2000). An Introduction to Genetic Analysis. ISBN 0-7167-3520-2, New York: W. H. Freeman Co. Octava edición en: Griffiths et al. Introduction to Genetic Analysis Online; http://www.whfreeman.com/iga

Sambrook J, Russel, D. W. (2001) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed., ColdSpringHarborLaboratory, New York.

References for practical excercises:

Estoup, A., C. R. Largiadr, E. Perrot and D. Chourrout. 1996. Rapid one-tube DNA extraction for reliable PCR detection of fish polymorphic marker and transgenes. Molecular Marine Biology and Biotechnology 5:295-298.

Hall, T. A. 1999. BioEdit: a user-friendly biological sequence alignment editor and analysis program for Windows 95/98/NT. Nucleic Acids Symposium Series 41:95-98.

Moran P, Garcia-Vazquez E. 2006. Identification of highly prized commercial fish using a PCR-based methodology. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education 34: 121-124.