Biology and genetics
(objectives)
The integrated course in Biology and Genetics aims to provide students with the functional logic of living systems, with particular attention to the properties and functions of the cell as a basic unit of life. The student will learn the unitary mechanisms that regulate the processes and activities of the cell and the interactions between cells; the principles that govern the diversity of biological units, in relation to their structural and functional characteristics, to the modes of gene expression, both within the different districts of a single individual (differentiation), and longitudinally, during evolution. The fundamental principles of molecular biology and genetics will also be addressed; particular emphasis will be given to aspects useful to students in medicine, such as the cellular and molecular bases of diseases and the effects of drugs on cell structure and function. The Medical Genetics part will provide students the knowledge on the main notions on inheritance of monogenic, chromosomal and multifactorial diseases. At the end of the course the student will be able to distinguish the main classes of genetic diseases and to recognize the modes of transmission of hereditary diseases.
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Code
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90219 |
Language
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ENG |
Type of certificate
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Profit certificate
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Module: APPLIED BIOLOGY
(objectives)
The student will learn the unitary mechanisms that regulate the processes and activities of the cell and the interactions between cells; the principles that govern the diversity of biological units, in relation to their structural and functional characteristics, to the modes of gene expression, both within the different districts of a single individual (differentiation), and longitudinally, during evolution. The fundamental principles of molecular biologyalso be addressed; particular emphasis will be given to aspects useful to students in medicine, such as the cellular and molecular bases of diseases and the effects of drugs on cell structure and function.
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Language
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ENG |
Type of certificate
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Profit certificate
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Credits
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9
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Scientific Disciplinary Sector Code
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BIO/13
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Contact Hours
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90
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Type of Activity
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Basic compulsory activities
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Teacher
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Pacini Laura
(syllabus)
Biology Characteristic of living cells:Cellular theory. Classification principles of living organisms. Cell Chemistry:Macromolecules: structure, shape and function. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell models:classification and major structural differences, Organelles (structure and function). Eukaryotic nuclear compartment, structure and functions. Plasma membrane:properties and functions, modes of transport of small molecules across the plasma membrane (simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, active transport). Internal organization of the cell:intracellular compartments and protein sorting, intracellular membrane traffic, organelles. The cytoskeleton and cell motility. Nuclear compartment, structure and functions. The different levels of chromatin condensation. Energy conversion:Glycolysis and fermentation (outline). Mitochondria and Chloroplasts, structure andfunction. Molecular basis of hereditary information: DNA replication. DNA repair and its correlation with human diseases. RNA, structure and function:Main types of cellular RNAs and differences with respect to DNA in terms of molecular size, stability and biological functions.Transcription and RNA maturation. Genetic Code and its properties. Protein synthesis:How cells read the genome. Main post- translational modifications of the polypeptide chains. Post-synthetic fate of proteins, endomembranes and membrane traffic:Endocytosis, pinocytosis, phagocytosis and receptor-mediated endocytosis (LDL). Control of gene expression:Molecular mechanisms that create specialized cell types. Functional organization of the eukaryotic genome. Histone code. Transcriptional control, role of chromatin condensation and of the degree of DNA methylation. Cell Cycle:The cell cycle control system. Apoptosis and Cancer, Tumor suppressors and proto- oncogenes. Cell Signaling:. Exchange of chemical signals through receptor proteins. The key role played by protein kinases in this process. The interactions between cells and their environment: Adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix. Mitosis and Meiosis:principles of chromosome dynamics during mitosis and meiosis; molecular mechanisms of genetic recombination. Gene mutations:mutations by substitution, insertion or deletion of nucleotides. Spontaneous and induced mutations. Chemical and physical mutagens. DNA repair systems for single or double stranded DNA damage. Mobile genetic elements and evolution of the genomes
(reference books)
Molecular Biology of the Cell”, VI edition, Bruce Alberts et al., Garland Science, 2014.
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Dates of beginning and end of teaching activities
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From to |
Delivery mode
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Traditional
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Attendance
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Mandatory
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Evaluation methods
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Written test
Oral exam
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Teacher
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Maiani Emiliano
(syllabus)
Characteristic of living cells:Cellular theory. Classification principles of living organisms. Cell Chemistry:Macromolecules: structure, shape and function. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell models:classification and major structural differences, Organelles (structure and function). Eukaryotic nuclear compartment, structure and functions. Plasma membrane:properties and functions, modes of transport of small molecules across the plasma membrane (simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, active transport). Internal organization of the cell:intracellular compartments and protein sorting, intracellular membrane traffic, organelles. The cytoskeleton and cell motility. Nuclear compartment, structure and functions. The different levels of chromatin condensation. Energy conversion:Glycolysis and fermentation (outline). Mitochondria and Chloroplasts, structure andfunction. Molecular basis of hereditary information: DNA replication. DNA repair and its correlation with human diseases. RNA, structure and function:Main types of cellular RNAs and differences with respect to DNA in terms of molecular size, stability and biological functions.Transcription and RNA maturation. Mobile genetic elements and evolution of the genomes Genetic Code and its properties. Protein synthesis:How cells read the genome. Main post- translational modifications of the polypeptide chains. Post-synthetic fate of proteins, endomembranes and membrane traffic:Endocytosis, pinocytosis, phagocytosis and receptor-mediated endocytosis (LDL). Control of gene expression:Molecular mechanisms that create specialized cell types. Functional organization of the eukaryotic genome. Histone code. Transcriptional control, role of chromatin condensation and of the degree of DNA methylation. Cell Cycle:The cell cycle control system. Apoptosis and Cancer, Tumor suppressors and proto- oncogenes. Cell Signaling:. Exchange of chemical signals through receptor proteins. The key role played by protein kinases in this process. The interactions between cells and their environment: Adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix. Mitosis and Meiosis:principles of chromosome dynamics during mitosis and meiosis; molecular mechanisms of genetic recombination. Gene mutations:mutations by substitution, insertion or deletion of nucleotides. Spontaneous and induced mutations. Chemical and physical mutagens. DNA repair systems for single or double stranded DNA damage.
(reference books)
Molecular Biology of the Cell”, VI edition, Bruce Alberts et al., Garland Science, 2014.
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Dates of beginning and end of teaching activities
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From to |
Delivery mode
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Traditional
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Attendance
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Mandatory
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Evaluation methods
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Written test
Oral exam
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Module: MEDICAL GENETICS
(objectives)
The Medical Genetics part will provide students the knowledge on the main notions on inheritance of monogenic, chromosomal and multifactorial diseases. At the end of the course the student will be able to distinguish the main classes of genetic diseases and to recognize the modes of transmission of hereditarydiseases.
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Language
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ENG |
Type of certificate
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Profit certificate
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Credits
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1
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Scientific Disciplinary Sector Code
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MED/03
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Contact Hours
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10
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Type of Activity
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Core compulsory activities
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Teacher
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Ciccacci Cinzia
(syllabus)
Basic Genetics:Definitions of Key Terms: gene, locus, allele, genotype, phenotype, haplotype, homozygous, heterozygous, haploid, diploid, dominance, recessivity, codominance, mutation, polymorphism. Principles of Genetic Transmission:Mendel's Genetic Hypothesis, The Monohybrid and Dihybrid Crosses, Segregation in Human Pedigrees, Blood groups Genetics Monogenic Inheritance Models:Autosomal inheritance,Autosomal recessive inheritance, X-linked inheritance Genetic Risk calculation and pedigrees analyses. Population genetics:Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and theoretical implications for understanding the mechanisms of biological evolution. Chromosomes:Structure and Analysis, Chromosomes Pathologies Genomic Imprinting X-chromosome inactivation Mitochondrial inheritance:mitochondrial DNA, pattern of inheritance Multifactorial Inheritance and Common Diseases:polimorphisms, susceptibility genes, gene- environment interaction, association studies Pharmacogenomics and Personalised Medicine Genetic tests and Counselling. Outlines
(reference books)
• “Medical Genetics, by Lynn Jorde, John Carey, Michael Bamshad. Edited byElsevier
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Dates of beginning and end of teaching activities
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From to |
Delivery mode
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Traditional
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Attendance
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not mandatory
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Evaluation methods
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Written test
Oral exam
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