Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
Course Description
This course aims to explore the core of modern biology—the cell. Starting from the
molecular basis of life, we will delve into the flow of information from genes to
proteins, analyze how cells construct complex internal structures, acquire and utilize
energy, communicate and respond, and regulate their growth, division, and death.
Integrating fundamental principles of biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology,
the course not only explains known life mechanisms but also emphasizes the classic
experiments and cutting-edge technologies that underpin this knowledge. Through
this course, students will build a solid framework for understanding life processes,
human diseases, and biotechnological applications.
Thematic Modules
Part 1: The Molecular Blueprint of Life
Chapter 1: Cell Chemistry and Macromolecules
Core Questions: What constitutes life? How does molecular structure
determine its role in cells?
Key Concepts:
Chemical components of cells: water, inorganic ions, small organic
molecules.
Biomacromolecules I – Proteins: Structure and classification of amino
acids; peptide bond formation; primary, secondary (α-helix, β-sheet),
tertiary, and quaternary structures of proteins; protein folding,
chaperones, and misfolding diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease).
Biomacromolecules II – Nucleic Acids: Structure of nucleotides; DNA
double helix (Watson-Crick model) and stability; types of RNA (mRNA,
tRNA, rRNA) and their diverse structural functions.
Biomacromolecules III – Carbohydrates and Lipids: Monosaccharides
and polysaccharides; lipids, fatty acids, and phospholipids;
phospholipid bilayers as the basis for biological membrane formation.
Case Study: Sickle cell anemia – How a single amino acid mutation triggers
systemic disease.
Chapter 2: Protein Function and Regulation
Core Question: How do proteins act as the "workhorses" of cells to perform
diverse functions?
, Key Concepts:
Protein-ligand binding: Specificity and affinity.
Enzymes as biological catalysts: Catalytic mechanisms, active sites,
reaction kinetics (introduction to Michaelis-Menten equation).
Enzyme regulation: Allosteric regulation,
phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, proteolytic cleavage.
Molecular motors: How ATP-driven conformational changes generate
directional movement (using myosin as an example).
Experimental Focus: Applications of gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and
Western Blot in protein analysis.
Part 2: Information Flow & Gene Expression
Chapter 3: DNA, Chromosomes, and Genomes
Core Question: How is massive genetic information efficiently organized,
replicated, and maintained in the tiny cell nucleus?
Key Concepts:
Eukaryotic chromosome structure: Nucleosomes, histones and their
modifications, chromatin packaging (euchromatin vs. heterochromatin).
DNA replication: Semiconservative replication mechanism (Meselson-
Stahl experiment); roles of key proteins such as DNA polymerase,
helicase, and primase; replication forks, Okazaki fragments, and DNA
ligase; importance of telomeres and telomerase.
DNA damage and repair: Types of mutations; major DNA repair
pathways (e.g., base excision repair, nucleotide excision repair).
Case Study: Xeroderma pigmentosum – How DNA repair defects lead to
cancer susceptibility.
Chapter 4: From DNA to RNA: Transcription and RNA Processing
Core Question: How are genes "read" and transcribed into messenger RNA?
Key Concepts:
Transcription process: Structure and function of RNA polymerase;
promoters and transcription initiation; elongation and termination.
Differences in transcription between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Eukaryotic RNA processing: 5' capping, 3' polyadenylation, RNA splicing
and spliceosomes; alternative splicing and its contribution to protein
diversity.
Experimental Focus: Northern Blotting and RT-PCR techniques for detecting
transcription levels of specific genes.
Chapter 5: From RNA to Protein: Translation
Course Description
This course aims to explore the core of modern biology—the cell. Starting from the
molecular basis of life, we will delve into the flow of information from genes to
proteins, analyze how cells construct complex internal structures, acquire and utilize
energy, communicate and respond, and regulate their growth, division, and death.
Integrating fundamental principles of biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology,
the course not only explains known life mechanisms but also emphasizes the classic
experiments and cutting-edge technologies that underpin this knowledge. Through
this course, students will build a solid framework for understanding life processes,
human diseases, and biotechnological applications.
Thematic Modules
Part 1: The Molecular Blueprint of Life
Chapter 1: Cell Chemistry and Macromolecules
Core Questions: What constitutes life? How does molecular structure
determine its role in cells?
Key Concepts:
Chemical components of cells: water, inorganic ions, small organic
molecules.
Biomacromolecules I – Proteins: Structure and classification of amino
acids; peptide bond formation; primary, secondary (α-helix, β-sheet),
tertiary, and quaternary structures of proteins; protein folding,
chaperones, and misfolding diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease).
Biomacromolecules II – Nucleic Acids: Structure of nucleotides; DNA
double helix (Watson-Crick model) and stability; types of RNA (mRNA,
tRNA, rRNA) and their diverse structural functions.
Biomacromolecules III – Carbohydrates and Lipids: Monosaccharides
and polysaccharides; lipids, fatty acids, and phospholipids;
phospholipid bilayers as the basis for biological membrane formation.
Case Study: Sickle cell anemia – How a single amino acid mutation triggers
systemic disease.
Chapter 2: Protein Function and Regulation
Core Question: How do proteins act as the "workhorses" of cells to perform
diverse functions?
, Key Concepts:
Protein-ligand binding: Specificity and affinity.
Enzymes as biological catalysts: Catalytic mechanisms, active sites,
reaction kinetics (introduction to Michaelis-Menten equation).
Enzyme regulation: Allosteric regulation,
phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, proteolytic cleavage.
Molecular motors: How ATP-driven conformational changes generate
directional movement (using myosin as an example).
Experimental Focus: Applications of gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and
Western Blot in protein analysis.
Part 2: Information Flow & Gene Expression
Chapter 3: DNA, Chromosomes, and Genomes
Core Question: How is massive genetic information efficiently organized,
replicated, and maintained in the tiny cell nucleus?
Key Concepts:
Eukaryotic chromosome structure: Nucleosomes, histones and their
modifications, chromatin packaging (euchromatin vs. heterochromatin).
DNA replication: Semiconservative replication mechanism (Meselson-
Stahl experiment); roles of key proteins such as DNA polymerase,
helicase, and primase; replication forks, Okazaki fragments, and DNA
ligase; importance of telomeres and telomerase.
DNA damage and repair: Types of mutations; major DNA repair
pathways (e.g., base excision repair, nucleotide excision repair).
Case Study: Xeroderma pigmentosum – How DNA repair defects lead to
cancer susceptibility.
Chapter 4: From DNA to RNA: Transcription and RNA Processing
Core Question: How are genes "read" and transcribed into messenger RNA?
Key Concepts:
Transcription process: Structure and function of RNA polymerase;
promoters and transcription initiation; elongation and termination.
Differences in transcription between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Eukaryotic RNA processing: 5' capping, 3' polyadenylation, RNA splicing
and spliceosomes; alternative splicing and its contribution to protein
diversity.
Experimental Focus: Northern Blotting and RT-PCR techniques for detecting
transcription levels of specific genes.
Chapter 5: From RNA to Protein: Translation
