COURSE INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION INFORMATION


Course Name
Gene Control and Epigenetics
Code
Semester
Theory
(hour/week)
Application/Lab
(hour/week)
Local Credits
ECTS
GBE 406
Fall/Spring
2
2
3
6
Prerequisites
None
Course Language
English
Course Type
Elective
Course Level
-
Mode of Delivery -
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course
Course Coordinator
Course Lecturer(s)
Assistant(s) -
Course Objectives The aim of this course is to learn how gene control and epigenetic mechanisms regulate pluripotency, reprogramming, cell proliferation and specialisation and gain insight on how mistakes in such regulatory mechanisms could lead to diseases.
Learning Outcomes The students who succeeded in this course;
  • Define the phenomenon of epigenetics and its imprinting.
  • Explain circuit elements that regulate the transcriptional mechanism.
  • Discuss epigenetic mechanisms over specific examples.
  • Define histone acetylation and DNA methylation and their role in epigenetics.
  • Explain transcriptional silencing mechanisms.
  • Choose techniques that could help analysing the links between epigenetics and human diseases.
Course Description Gene control mechanisms that affect development and got impaired in disease.
Related Sustainable Development Goals

 



Course Category

Core Courses
Major Area Courses
Supportive Courses
Media and Managment Skills Courses
Transferable Skill Courses

 

WEEKLY SUBJECTS AND RELATED PREPARATION STUDIES

Week Subjects Required Materials
1 Introduction Epigenetics, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2015 - Chapter 1
2 Circuit elements of a gene Molecular Biology of the Cell 6th edition, Garland-Norton, 2015 - Chapter 1
3 RNA polymerase and fundamentals of gene control Molecular Biology of the Cell 6th edition, Garland-Norton, 2015. -Chapter 6. Transcription Regulation at the Core: Similarities Among Bacterial, Archaeal, and Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases, Decker and Hinton, Annual Reviews, 2013.
4 Chromatin and chromsome architecture Molecular Biology of the Cell 6th edition, Garland-Norton, 2015. - Chapter 4.
5 Histone modifications Epigenetics, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2015.- Chapters 4,5,6. Lateral Thinking: How Histone Modifications Regulate Gene Expression, Lawrence et al., Trends in Genetics, 2016.
6 Dynamics of chromatin remodeling Mechanisms of action and regulation of ATP-dependent chromatin-remodelling complexes, Clapier et al. , Nature Reviews, 2017.
7 Chromatin balance and gene insulation Heterochromatin effects in Friedreich's ataxia and sexual dimorphism. C. Yandım, PhD Thesis, Imperial College London, 2012. Gene Regulation and Epigenetics in Friedreich's ataxia. Yandım et al. J of Neurochem., 2013.
8 Midterm Exam Epigenetics, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2015- Chapter13
9 Nuclear architecture Biogenesis and function of nuclear bodies, Mao et al, Trends in Genetics, 2011.
10 DNA methylation and epigenetic reprogramming Principles of DNA methylation and their implications for biology and medicine, Dor and Cedar., Lancet, 2018.
11 RNA interference Strategies for silencing human disease using RNA interference, Kim and Rossi, Nature Reviews, 2007.
12 Epigenetic memory Mechanisms of epigenetic memory, D'Urso and Brickner, Trends in Genetics, 2014.
13 Induced pluripotency Epigenetics, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2015. - Chapter 28
14 Epigenetics and human disease Epigenetics, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2015- Chapter 33.
15 Review
16 Final exam
Course Notes/Textbooks Epigenetics, MonikaLachlan, Spring harbor laboratory press, 2015
Suggested Readings/Materials

Molecular Biology of the Cell 6th edition, Bruce Alberts, Garland-Norton, 2015.

 

 

EVALUATION SYSTEM

Semester Activities Number Weigthing
Participation
Laboratory / Application
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
4
40
Presentation / Jury
Project
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterm
1
30
Final Exam
1
30
Total

Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade
5
70
Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade
1
30
Total

ECTS / WORKLOAD TABLE

Semester Activities Number Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours
(Including exam week: 16 x total hours)
16
4
64
Laboratory / Application Hours
(Including exam week: 16 x total hours)
16
Study Hours Out of Class
14
2
28
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
-
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
4
8
Presentation / Jury
-
Project
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterms
1
26
Final Exams
1
30
    Total
180

 

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS RELATIONSHIP

#
Program Competencies/Outcomes
* Contribution Level
1
2
3
4
5
1

To have adequate knowledge in Mathematics, Science and Biomedical Engineering; to be able to use theoretical and applied information in these areas on complex engineering problems.

2

To be able to identify, define, formulate, and solve complex Biomedical Engineering problems; to be able to select and apply proper analysis and modeling methods for this purpose.

3

To be able to design a complex system, process, device or product under realistic constraints and conditions, in such a way as to meet the requirements; to be able to apply modern design methods for this purpose.

4

To be able to devise, select, and use modern techniques and tools needed for analysis and solution of complex problems in Biomedical Engineering applications.

5

To be able to design and conduct experiments, gather data, analyze and interpret results for investigating complex engineering problems or Biomedical Engineering research topics.

6

To be able to work efficiently in Biomedical Engineering disciplinary and multi-disciplinary teams; to be able to work individually.

7

To be able to communicate effectively in Turkish, both orally and in writing; to be able to author and comprehend written reports, to be able to prepare design and implementation reports, to present effectively, to be able to give and receive clear and comprehensible instructions.

8

To have knowledge about global and social impact of Biomedical Engineering practices on health, environment, and safety; to have knowledge about contemporary issues as they pertain to engineering; to be aware of the legal ramifications of engineering solutions.

9

To be aware of ethical behavior, professional and ethical responsibility; to have knowledge about standards utilized in engineering applications.

10

To have knowledge about industrial practices such as project management, risk management, and change management; to have awareness of entrepreneurship and innovation; to have knowledge about sustainable development.

11

To be able to collect data in the area of Biomedical Engineering, and to be able to communicate with colleagues in a foreign language.

12

To be able to speak a second foreign language at a medium level of fluency efficiently.

13

To recognize the need for lifelong learning; to be able to access information, to be able to stay current with developments in science and technology; to be able to relate the knowledge accumulated throughout the human history to Biomedical Engineering.

*1 Lowest, 2 Low, 3 Average, 4 High, 5 Highest