82302 - ANTROPOLOGIA MOLECOLARE APPLICATA

Course contents

Programme

1) An introduction to human evolutionary history

• Differences between humans and both Neanderthal and Denisova: time, places and models
• Main changes occurred during principal epidemiological and demographic transition: from Paleolithic to Neolithic and during Industrial age
• Micro-evolutionary factors and genomic biodiversity considering different human groups
• Methods of molecular anthropology for the study of genetic variability: description of mitochondrial DNA, Y chromosome, autosomic markers by genome-wide analysis and reference databases

2) Application of molecular anthropology in forensic sciences

• Population variability, genetic ancestry and genetic determinants of phenotypic variability as a tool for forensic investigation
• Databases and software common in anthropology used for forensic considerations: Phylotree, EMPOP, Haplogrep, Haplofind, YHRD, Haplogroup predictor
• Human population epigenetic diversity in forensic sciences: DNA methylation to assess difference between monozygotic twins, body fluids identification and age estimation. Description of the most widely used technology for the study of DNA methylation levels.

3) Evolutionary concepts and anthropological perspective in the study of human health

• Evolutionary thinking for the understanding of modern human diseases (evolutionary medicine: examples of the role of micro-evolutionary factors in the onset and progression of diseases)

• Diseases as a result of an evolutionary mismatch with the current environment: interaction and coevolution between genetics, environment and parasites
• Mechanisms of stress adaptation: the role of inflammation in the pathology frequent in modern societies
• Epigenetic (DNA methylation) population diversity as a key mechanism for human rapid adaptation and its role in human health.

Readings/Bibliography

During the course, all the references and the projected slides will be provided.

Teaching methods

Lectures; scientific papers presentation by students and class discussion.

Assessment methods

Students who attend the course are expected to present a scientific paper with an oral presentation with power point slides. Written examination (6 multiple choices questions, 4 essay questions).

Teaching tools

The material utilized for lectures (power point presentation) will be available for students. A list of research articles for valuable insights. Example of exercises will be provided for a self-evaluation.

Office hours

See the website of Donata Luiselli