Learning objectives

The course provides an overview of the most common methodologies and techniques for the mani-pulation of DNA. In particular, the students will learn the main techniques for purification of nucleic acids, their separation by electrophoresis, DNA amplification and methods for cloning in bacterial vectors. In the practical exercises the student will apply these techniques for purification of plasmid DNA and genomic DNA, separation of DNA by electrophoresis on agarose gel, its digestion with re-striction enzymes, preparation of gene constructs and their transformation into E. coli. At the end of the course, the student will have learned the basics of manipulation of genetic material and will be able to use the main techniques for gene cloning.