UNIVERSITY OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND POLICE STUDIES

UNDERGRADUATE ACADEMIC STUDIES

FORENSIC ENGINEERING

Course:

Genetics and Genetic Engineering

Course Code: 2.35

ECTS: 7

Course Status:

Compulsory

Number of Effective Classes (Per Week): 2 + 1 + 2

Theoretical Education:

Practical Training:

Special Forms of Training:

2

1

2

Prerequisite/s: None

Educational Objective: Objective of this course is to provide students with knowledge of laws and principles of heredity and how they can be employed in the field of genetic engineering. The focus will be on recombinant DNA technologies and contemporary methods of genetic manipulations. The aim is for students to acquire comprehensive technical knowledge, as well as to become familiar with application of genetic engineering in genetically modified organisms, gene therapies, biotechnology, etc.

Projected Outcome: Students will demonstrate thorough knowledge of genetics and genetic engineering, including techniques, procedures, regulations, and social acceptance of relevant methods. Students will acquire gene manipulation skills, as well as knowledge of appropriate use of genetic engineering in a wide variety of fields.

Course Contents/Structure

Theoretical education: Basis of genetics; Mendelian inheritance, chromosome and genome structure, chromosomal basis of inheritance, molecular genetics, replication, reparation, mutations, recombination, transcription, translation, gene expression regulation, basic genetic and molecular biology techniques, basic genetic engineering, genetic engineering techniques – recombinant DNA technology, restriction endonucleases, molecular cloning (vectors, prokaryotic and eukaryotic recipient cells, transformation, transfection, chemical poration, electroporation, microinjection, biobalistics), genomic and cDNA libraries, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), selection, screening and analysis of recombinant products, DNA hybridization, DNA and genome sequencing, DNA on a chip technologies, directed mutagenesis, famous examples of the use of genetic engineering, benefits and risks of gene manipulations, legal and ethical aspects of genetic engineering in contemporary society.

Practical training: Hands-on laboratory exercise and computer simulations of selected methods in genetics and genetic engineering – DNA extraction and quantification, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction digestion, ligations, cloning, selection, screening and analysis of recombinant products, DNA sequencing.

Teaching Methods: lectures, discussions, video clips, cooperative learning, presentations, demonstrations.

Assessment (Maximum Number of Points: 100)

Pre-Exam Obligations

No. of Points

Final Examination

No. of Points

Midterm exam

20

Oral examination

30

Laboratory

30

Active participation in class

5

Research paper/study

15

Textbook/s

1. Goodwin, W.; Linacre, Q.; Hadi, S. et.al. An Introduction to Forensic Genetics, Wiley-Blackwell 2007

2. Inman, K.; Rudin, N. An introduction to forensic DNA analysis Boca Raton [etc.]: CRC Press 1997

3. Williams, R:. Johnson; P. Genetic policing: the use of DNA in criminal investigations, Cullompton: Willan Publishing 2008

4. Marjanović, D.; Primorac, D. Molekularna forenzična genetika, Sarajevo: INGEB 2009