The objective of this course is to enable students to understand and explain the structure, organization, and molecular mechanisms of genetic material. It aims for students to comprehend the chemical and molecular properties of nucleic acids; to understand and explain replication, DNA damage, and repair processes; and to describe gene expression and its regulation at a molecular level. Furthermore, the course intends to equip students with the ability to analyze epigenetic mechanisms, extrachromosomal genetic systems, homologous and non-homologous recombination, and mutation processes at a molecular level.

The course begins with understanding the properties of genetic material, such as molecular weight, base content, and base sequence. It examines the organization of genetic material in viroids, viruses, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes, as well as the enzymes involved in nucleic acid metabolism. Replication and DNA damage/repair processes are addressed comparatively in prokaryotic and eukaryotic models. Gene expression, the regulation of gene expression, and epigenetic mechanisms are covered within the scope of the course. Additionally, extrachromosomal genetic systems (plasmids, mitochondrial and chloroplast genes), homologous and non-homologous recombination processes, the molecular basis of mutations, and the cellular consequences of gene mutations, such as apoptosis, are explained. The course ensures comparative comprehension of molecular genetic principles in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems.