Metabolism of Nucleic Acid

Genome organization and biosynthesis of proteins; Replication of DNA; Transcription and Translation of RNA; Inhibitors of protein biosynthesis; Metabolism of purines and pyrinidines, nucleosides and nucleotides; Abnormalities in nucleic acid metabolism; Xeroderma pigmentation and skin cancer. The focus of this course is on the breaking down (catabolism) and building up (anabolism) of nucleic acids and their building blocks: nucleosides and nucleotides. However, this can only be successfully studied by having a good understanding of the isolation, characterization and structure of nucleic acids. Further emphasis is put on genome organization and biosynthesis of proteins. It also examines the regulatory mechanisms and various abnormalities in nucleic acid metabolism, xeroderma, pigmentation and skin cancer.