GENERAL SANTOS DOCTORS’ MEDICAL

SCHOOL FOUNDATION, INC.

Bulaong Subd., Baranggay West, General
Santos City 9500, Philippines

SYLLABUS

COURSE CODE: MLS232        

COURSE TITLE: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND DIAGNOSTICS 
NAME: IVY LORETIZO
SCHEDULE:
ROOM:

A. Course Molecular Biology Course focuses on the structure and function

Description: of biologically important molecules, giving you a range of
theoretical knowledge and practical laboratory skills. The
students will learn about the DNA, RNA and proteins and the
molecular events that govern the cell function while exploring
the relevant aspects of biochemistry, genetics and cell biology.
B. Course At the end of the course, the students should be able to:
Objectives:
1. Familiarize the basics of nucleic acid biochemistry and
biology and understanding molecular diagnostic testing.
2. Understand the basic principles and relative strengths and
limitations of the nucleic amplification methods.
3. Recognize different Molecular Techniques, including
polymerase chain reaction and other amplification and
hybridization methods
C. Course credit: 3 units lecture (no laboratory)
Contact Hours: 3 hours/week       
Placement: Summer 2 Year
nd

D. Course Outline (June 18, 2019-October 19, 2019)

and
Timeframe:

PERIOD WEEK TOPIC

M 1-2   Introduction
a. GSDMSFI’s VMG and Academic Policies 
b. Grading System 

I
  Nucleic Acid Biochemistry and Biology 
a. Molecular Composition and Structure 
b. Nucleic Acid-Associated Enzymes 
c. Replication of DNA 
d. Transcription of DNA to RNA 
D
e. Posttranscriptional Modification 
f. Translation of RNA to Protein 
g. Transcriptional Control 
h. Mechanism of DNA Repair, DNA Mutations 

T
  Laboratory: 
     Extraction of plasmid DNA by Alkaline Lysis Technique 
 
   
  Nucleic Acid Analysis
         

E
a. Electrophoretic Separation
3 b. Nucleic Acid Hybridization 
c. Hybridization Assays: Basic Components 
d. Hybridization Assay Formats 

R
e. Amplification Methods 
f. Polymorphism Detection Assays 
g. DNA Sequencing 

  Laboratory: 

M
   Extraction of Genomic DNA from Bacteria 

         
       4   Relationship to Laboratory Evaluation of Disease 
a. Molecular Diagnosis 

F b. Beyond Diagnosis 

  Target Amplification Methods 

a. Polymerase Chain Reaction 

I
b. Transcription-Based Amplification
c. Strand-Displacement Amplification
d. Loop-Mediated Amplification
e. Helicase-Dependent Amplification

N
f. Nicking Endonuclease Amplification

 Laboratory: 
    Agarose Gel Electrophoresis of isolated DNA

A 5-6 Probe Amplification Methods 

a. Cleavase/Invader Technology

Signal Amplification Methods 

L a. Branched DNA 
b. Hybrid Capture Assays 

Identity Analysis: Use of DNA Analysis in Parentage, Forensic, and

S
Missing Persons Testing 
a. Historical Background 
b. Advantages of DNA 
c. Genetic Markers 
 d. Sample and Specimen Collection 
e. DNA Extraction and Quantification 
f. Test Methods and Marker Systems 
g. Mitochondrial DNA Sequencing
  
Laboratory: 
   Amplification of mecA gene by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 

 Bioinformatics 
     a.) Analysis and Use of Test Data 
     b.) DNA Sequence Analysis Using NCBI database and BLAST 
     c.) Chromatogram Analysis
     d.) Multiple Sequence Alignment 

  Laboratory: 
     DNA Sequence Alignment (Basic Bioinformatics) 

E. References:

Mc Pherson and Phencus . Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory

Methods 

Brown, T.A.(2001) Gene Cloning and DNA Analysis: An Introduction 4rth Edition. 
           Blackwell Science Ltd. USA 
Sambrook, et al., 1989. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual.  2 Edition. 
nd

           Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press NY. 

F. Course Requirements: 

G. Grading System:

Assignments 10%
Quizzes 30%
Recitation 20%
Exam 40%

TOTAL 100%

SEMESTRAL GRADE: (PLG + MTG + FN)/3 = Semestral Grade

H. Classroom Policies

1. All classes should start and end with a prayer.

2. No student may leave his/her classroom while the class is in session unless the
teacher gives permission.
 3. In case the faculty member is absent from his/ hers class, the office of the Dean shall
notify the students.

4. Students should be in complete uniform except on Wednesday and Saturday; ID must

be worn.

5. Students who enter the classroom within fifteen minutes (15) from the class schedule
time are considered late, beyond fifteen minutes is considered absent. Students who are
considered absent may be allowed to attend the class but are not allowed to participate
in any graded classroom activity. 

6. Three consecutive late is equivalent to one-day absence. Incurred absences, whether

excused or not, are deducted from the total allowable absences, which is 20% of the
total contact hours. 

7. Use of cell phone is prohibited.

8. Cleanliness of the classroom should be maintained.

I. Consultation Schedule:

Prepared by:

IVY G. LORETIZO