15950 - Biology and Genetics

Course contents

BIOLOGY MODULE

1) Study of life: biology introduction

The cellular and molecular biology.
Properties of living organisms; relationship between organisms and their ambient.
The Biology Science evolution from cellular theory and microscopy to System Biology.
Genomics and post-genomics methods of the translational Medicine.

2) The eukaryotic cell

Signs of evolution: prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Shape, size and structure of eukaryotic cells; plasma membrane: structure and permeability; the cytoplasm; the nucleus: DNA, chromatin, chromosomes; ribosomes: structure and function, the system of intracellular membranes: structure and function of smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus, the lysosome, the peroxisome; mitochondria: structure and inheritance.

3) Gene expression control

The structure of DNA; the eukaryotic gene; DNA replication; gene expression information: DNA transcription, maturation of primary transcripts, the genetic code, translation, post-translational modifications and final destination of proteins.

4) Cell division and cell death

The cell cycle: check points and phases.
Cycline dependent kinase and their function.
The brakes of cell cycle: p53.
The induction of cell division: growth factors.
Apoptosis: role in the organisms's omeostasis.
Different pathways and functions between necrosis and apoptosis.

5) Reproduction

Reproduction of organisms: meiosis, spermatogenesis, ovogenesis, ovarian cycle, uterine cycle and fertilization.

GENETICS MODULE

1) Introduction to genetics, gene and genome

Introduction to Genetics. Concept of gene and genetic information. The human genome.

2) Hereditary transmission of characters

Mendel's laws. Mode of transmission of monogenic characters: Autosomal dominant inheritance (acondroplasic dwarfism) and autosomal recessive inheritance (albinism). Interactions between alleles: incomplete dominance, codominance. Inheritance of the ABO system and Rh system.  X-linked recessive inheritance (Example: hemophilia).

3) Mutations
Definition, causes and types of mutations. Gene mutations: types and effects on the gene product. Chromosomal mutations. Genomic mutations (Down Syndrome). Definition and description of the chromosome. Description of the human karyotype: number and types of chromosomes. Karyotype analysis. Chromosome banding.

Readings/Bibliography

The book should be of University level and it should take only after the lessons are going to begin.

Campbell N.A, et al., BIOLOGIA E GENETICA Ed. Pearson, 2012

or in alternative:

Bonaldo P. et al., Biologia e Genetica - Quarta edizione - EdiSes, 2013

Solomon et al. ELEMENTI DI BIOLOGIA - EdiSes, VI edizione/2013

Wolfe et al. Elementi di BIOLOGIA CELLULARE - EdiSes, II edizione/2016

Russell et al. Elementi di GENETICA - EdiSes, 2009

Campbell et al. BIOLOGIA E GENETICA - Edizione Pearson, X edizione/2015

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons, video and discussion of some topics.

Assessment methods

The student must face a written examination about the three modules: Biochemistry, Biology and General Genetics and Medical Genetics.

The topics of the exam will be the master argument treated during the lessons and specified in class at the end of the course.

The degree will be the weighted average based on the CFUs of the three evaluations.

Teaching tools

Books, video and digital platform for teacher's original schemes and notes.

Office hours

See the website of Flavia Frabetti

See the website of Lorenza Vitale