Information Package / Course Catalogue
Nucleic Acid Chemistry
Course Code: BYK607
Course Type: Required
Couse Group: Third Cycle (Doctorate Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 3
Prt.: 0
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to gain advanced knowledge about basic and important subjects about nucleic acids which is one of the four main molecules that make up the viability.

Course Content

Biological functions of nucleic acids, Chemical Structures of Nucleic Acids, Isolation and Characterization of Nucleic Acids, RNA Structure and Virus Nucleic Acids, Nucleases and their Relations with Other Enzymes, Biosynthesis of Mononucleotides, Replication and Biosynthesis of DNA, Biosynthesis of RNA, Transcription , Translation, Biological Functions of RNA: Protein Synthesis, Catabolism of Nucleic Acids, DNA and RNA purification, quantification, DNA sequencing, southern blotting, DNA hybridization, DNA fingerprinting protocol, Northern blotting.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.To know the basic terms and definitions used in nucleic acid biochemistry
2.To have information about structure, physical properties and functions of nucleic acids
3. To know synthesis and degradation mechanisms of nucleic acids
4.To have knowledge about the methods used in structure and mechanism elucidation of nucleic acids
5.To have knowledge about current developments and applications of nucleic acid biochemistry
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Biochemistry by Lehninger
2.Nucleic Acids:Structures, Properties, and Functions. Victor A.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction to nucleic acid and protein biochemistry, basic terms and definitions
Week 2 - Theoretical
Structure, function and physical properties of nucleic acids
Week 3 - Theoretical
Central dogma, nucleotide structure, primary structure, chemical stability, nomenclature
Week 4 - Theoretical
Structures of double helices; A, B, and Z form helices, base pairing and hydrogen bonding, zinc-finger motif
Week 5 - Theoretical
DNA and RNA hybridization and thermodynamics; Base-pair stability rules, melting, hybridization, hypochromism, gene chips
Week 6 - Theoretical
RNA structure and triple helices; Tertiary structure and tRNA, prediction of RNA folding, antisense
Week 7 - Theoretical
Sequencing and synthesis of DNA and RNA; Maxam-Gilbert and Sanger sequencing, chemical and enzymatic synthesis, genomics and bioinformatics
Week 8 - Intermediate Exam
Nucleic Acid Chemistry Midterm Exam
Week 9 - Theoretical
Interaction and Reaction with Drugs, Protein-Nucleic Acid Interactions Drug and cation binding, chemical probing methods, Intercalation, groove-binding, ion atmosphere, reactivity of nucleotides, altered backbone chemistries
Week 10 - Theoretical
DNA bending, flexibility, and cyclization; Bending and twisting flexibility, sequence-directed bending, methods for detection and quantitation
Week 11 - Theoretical
Topology, supercoiling, topoisomerases; Linking number, superhelix structure, topoisomerase reaction mechanisms, knots and catenanes
Week 12 - Theoretical
Enzymatic manipulation of nucleic acids; Restriction enzymes, nucleases, radiolabeling, basic genetic engineering, polymerases, PCR
Week 13 - Theoretical
The power of the XRD-NMR combination of techniques for structure determination
Week 14 - Theoretical
Methods used to elucidate the structure and mechanism of nucleic acids
Week 15 - Theoretical
Current issues and applications in nucleic acid and protein biochemistry
Week 16 - Final Exam
Nucleic Acid Chemistry Final Exam
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%40
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory144284
Midterm Examination118220
Final Examination119221
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)125
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
OÇ-1
5
4
5
4
5
OÇ-2
5
4
5
5
4
OÇ-3
5
5
5
4
5
OÇ-4
5
5
4
5
4
OÇ-5
5
4
5
5
4
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026