Molecular Biology and Genetics​

Language: English

PhD Samet Ağca

Course Description

Molecular biology and genetics course, which will be given as part of the summer camp, aims to provide students with basic molecular biology information. In this course, the fundamentals of molecular biology and different fields of study will be introduced. Topics to be covered each week will include cell biology, cancer biology, genetics and stem cells. In addition to the theoretical knowledge to be covered in the lectures, the basic techniques used in molecular biology laboratories will also be demonstrated in practice in the laboratories of the department.

At the end of the course, students will gain knowledge of the importance of cell biology in understanding the basis of diseases, the basics and treatment of different types of cancer, the importance of genetics from past to present, and the relationship of stem cells with tissue repair and cancer progression. At the end of practical laboratory hours, they will acquire practical information about the study methods with model microorganisms, DNA isolation and measurement techniques.

Molecular Biology and Genetics

Language: English

Course Description

This high school Molecular Biology and Genetics program offers an in-depth exploration of the fundamental concepts and processes that govern living organisms at the molecular level. The course is structured over two weeks, starting with an introductory meeting and concluding with a Q&A session focused on careers in Molecular Biology and Genetics.The curriculum is segmented into five thematic blocks:

Cell Biology

Students begin their journey with an introduction to cells, delving into the structure of membranes and the origin and division of cells.

Molecular Biology

The course progresses to molecular biology, examining the molecular constituents of life, including water, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and enzymes, alongside the pivotal molecules of DNA and RNA, culminating with the Central Dogma of molecular biology.

Genetics

A focus on genes and chromosomes sets the stage for understanding inheritance patterns and genetic modifications, crucial for grasping the complexities of heredity and the potential of genetic engineering.

Ecology

The program then shifts to ecology, exploring the interaction of species within communities and ecosystems, energy flow, carbon cycling, climate change, and the role of microorganisms in industry.

Biotechnology and Bioinformatics

The final block covers the cutting-edge fields of biotechnology and bioinformatics, highlighting their applications in agriculture, medicine, and the management of biological information.

The course culminates in a comprehensive quiz and a last lecture that synthesizes the program’s content, providing students with a solid foundation in MBGE and preparing them for further academic pursuits or careers in related fields.

Samet Ağca
Araştırma Görevlisi - Fen Fakültesi

Lisans eğitimini Koç Üniversitesinde Moleküler Biyoloji ve Genetik bölümünde ve Kimya bölümü çift anadalıyla 2020 yılında derece ile tamamladı. Lisans eğitimi boyunca Koç Üniversitesi Gönüllüleri Eğitim Topluluğunda ortaokul öğrencilerine Fen Bilgisi dersleri verdi. Sonrasında lisansüstü eğitiminde Koç Üniversitesinde Dr. Serkan Kır’ın Metabolizma ve Kanser laboratuvarına doktora öğrencisi olarak katıldı. Doktora programının ilk yıllarında katkıda bulunduğu çalışmalar “Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle” ve “Nature” dergilerinde yayınladı. Aktif olarak atrofiye uğrayan kasların tek çekirdek transkriptomunda tümör kaynaklı değişiklikleri üstüne çalışmaktadır.