Molecular Biology Techniques:

• Micro pipetting with precision
• DNA extraction from biological samples
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
• Gel electrophoresis for DNA analysis
• DNA restriction enzyme digestion
• PCR-based RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism)

Protein & Immunological Techniques:

• ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) for protein detection and quantification

Applications & Competencies:

• Hands-on practice in common molecular biology workflows
• Interpretation and analysis of experimental data
• Development of laboratory precision and reproducibility

Experimental Design & Research:

• Plan and execute independent small-group research projects
• Develop experimental strategies and troubleshoot protocols

Laboratory & Molecular Techniques:

• Chemical solution preparation
• Sterile technique and media preparation
• Sterile cell culturing
• DNA extraction
• Micro pipetting
• PCR and gel electrophoresis
• Gel documentation and analysis

Cell & Protein Analysis:

• Use a hemocytometer to measure cell density
• Protein extraction
• Protein gel electrophoresis and Western Blot

Microscopy & Imaging:

• Microscopy techniques and imaging for experimental analysis

Molecular Biology & Genetics:

• Perform PCR, RT-PCR, and cDNA synthesis
• Conduct DNA restriction digests and plasmid extractions (miniprep)
• Design DNA primers and analyze DNA sequences
• Predict protein domains and analyze gene function
• Extract RNA and perform quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis

Cell & Microbial Techniques:

• Execute precise micro pipetting
• Prepare sterile media and maintain sterile cultures
• Prepare host cells and excise plasmids from vectors
• Measure cell density and nucleic acid concentrations using spectroscopic techniques (Nanodrop)

Plant Biology Techniques:

• Germinate and care for plants
• Powder plant tissue for molecular analysis

Analytical & Documentation Skills:

• Perform agarose gel electrophoresis and gel documentation
• Prepare chemical solutions accurately

Research & Experimental Design:

• Plan and execute an individual student research project
• Develop experimental proposals and analyze results critically

Databases & Data Resources:

• NCBI: GENE, GENOME, GEO, OMIM, ClinVar
• EBI: ENA, UniProt, PDBe, Expression Atlas
• Protein Data Bank (PDB)

Sequence Analysis & Alignment:

• Pairwise sequence alignment (EBI-EMBOSS)
• BLAST: BLASTn, BLASTp, BLASTx, tBLASTn, PSI-BLAST, PHI-BLAST
• Multiple sequence alignment: CLUSTAL, MAFFT, MUSCLE
• Conserved motif identification: MEME

Gene Expression & Phylogenetics:

• GEO gene expression data analysis (Profiles and DataSets)
• Microarray and RNA-Seq data interpretation
• Phylogenetic analysis of gene families

Structural Analysis & Visualization:

• Protein structure visualization and analysis: VMD, UCSF Chimera, PDBSum
• Genome browsing and sequence annotation

Research & Applications:

• Independent research project involving bioinformatic literature review
• Analysis of sequence–structure–function relationships in a selected gene family

Databases & Structural Resources:

• Protein structure databases: PDB, PDBe, PDBSum
• PubChem for chemical and molecular information

Structural Analysis & Visualization:

• Protein structure visualization and analysis: VMD, UCSF Chimera
• Protein surface analysis and cavity identification: ProteinPlus
• Molecular structure building and manipulation: Avogadro

Computational Drug Design:

• Protein-ligand docking simulations: SwissDock
• Design of novel drug candidates based on structural analysis

Research & Applications:

• Independent research project involving literature review
• Selection of a protein target linked to a medical condition
• Computational design of potential therapeutics
• Integration of sequence, structure, and ligand docking analysis