Contents
Eukaryotic genome organization and evolution. Genome structure, comparative genomics and bioinformatics. Mobile DNA elements and genome dynamics. Methods for gene identification and analysis of gene structure: cloning, PCR, restriction mapping, in situ hybridization, DNA sequencing. Bioinformatic analyses of DNA and protein sequences.

Principles of gene expression. Molecular mechanisms for regulation of gene expression at different levels: chromatin remodeling, transcription initiation, nuclear transport and signaling, RNA interference. Protein sorting and maturation in the cell by passage through cytoplasmic organelles. Methods for analysis of gene expression: microarray, hybridization, promoter analyses.

Functional chromosomal elements and chromatin structure. Mechanisms for the maintenance of genetic information in cell division and the production of genetic variation: replication, mitosis, meiosis, recombination. Epigenetic and RNA mediated mechanisms.

Developmental and tumor genetics. Principles for the regulation of gene expression through intercellular signaling. Gene regulation in developmental biology and in the cell cycle. Mechanisms regulating development from one cell to a multicellular organism. Principles for how dysregulation causes tumor development and abnormal embryonic development.

Gene technologies: basic and applied molecular genetic methods. Genetic model organisms. Methods for production of transgenic organisms and gene knock-outs. Strategies for gene therapy and production of medicine through gene modified organisms (expression vectors and viral vectors). Large scale analyses: genomic and cDNA libraries, functional genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, genetic screening of individuals.

Core curriculum course elements. Training in written and oral presentations.

Literature
According to a reading list determined by the department. This list will be available at least five weeks before the start of the course.