93617 - ANTROPOLOGIA GENETICA DELLE POPOLAZIONI

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide the theoretical and innovative methodological bases for understanding the dynamics and micro-evolutionary processes in order to reconstruct the demographic and adaptive history of human populations, in particular in the Mediterranean area. At the end of the course, the student is able to understand the fundamental concepts on the evolution and spread of human populations, is able to understand and critically evaluate the biological-cultural and adaptive aspects of human biodiversity, the contribution of molecular markers to this knowledge, the migration and mixing processes that have led to the distribution of the current genetic-molecular variability.

Course contents

The course aims to understand the history of human populations, in particular of the Mediterranean area, from a genetic point of view and according to an integrated bio-cultural approach, in order to disentangle the demographic dynamics and adaptive processes that have characterized their evolution. In particular, the program will analyze: 1. Human genetic and genomic biodiversity of human populations. Definition of biological anthropology and genetic anthropology. Basic concepts of genetics and population genetics. Genotype and phenotype. Evolution of Homo sapiens. History of the human genome. Populations, ethnic groups and reproductive barriers. Genetic, autosomal and uniparental markers (Y chromosome and mtDNA). Human variability analysis. Genetic (mutation, recombination, genetic drift, gene flow, natural selection) and environmental factors of biological variability in human populations. Genetic maps: history and geography of human genes. Methods of analysis and measurements of the genetic diversity of human populations. Concept of race and biogeographical ancestry. 2. Biodemographic and adaptive dynamics of human populations. The contribution of ancient DNA to the study of the population of Eurasia and Mediterranean area. Biodemographic dynamics from the past to the present. Isolation, migration and mixing. Phylogenetic analysis and genetic reconstruction of the history of human population and migratory dynamics. Human adaptation and environmental pressures.

Readings/Bibliography

Power point presentations provided by the teacher.

LUCIANO TERRENATO-Popolazioni e diversità genetica. ed Il Mulino

Destro Bisol Giovanni; Capocasa Marco - Come il DNA ci aiuta a capire chi siamo. ed Il mio Libraio

Supplementary bibliography provided by the teacher

Teaching methods

The course consists of frontal lectures related to the topics of the programme that can be supplemented by seminars on specific topics. Students will be encouraged to take an active part in the lessons through interventions, questions, requests for clarification and/or insights. During the course computer presentations will be projected, that will be distributed at the students at the end of the lessons.

Assessment methods

The assessment of student learning consists of an oral test, which can be sustained from the first useful scheduled exam after the end of the lessons, concerning the topics indicated in the course programme. At the begin of the exam, the student may propose to deal with a topic of choice, which will obviously follow the verification of the preparation on other topics of the program.

Students not attending. The program of the course is the same for both students attending and not attending. The frequency of the lessons is strongly recommended for the achievement of a good profit, however, students who for valid reasons cannot attend the course are invited to consult the teacher, during the office hours, for the suggestion of the necessary supplementary texts.

Teaching tools

Slide projection and PowerPoint presentations. Seminars on specific topics and case studies held by experts.

Office hours

See the website of Donata Luiselli