96043 - Genetics and Epigentics of Cancer

Academic Year 2023/2024

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Molecular and Cell Biology (cod. 5825)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module the student will have acquired the basic aspects of the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that elicit cellular transformation and promote progression of cancer cells towards more severe and aggressive phenotypes. The student will also learn the technical and molecular approaches to analyze the genetic and epigenetic features of cancer cells and will be trained in posing and solving critical questions addressing key issues of cancer biology.

Course contents

Genetic bases of cancer. Role of viruses in cell transformation. Identification and function of oncogenes. Role ad function of tumour suppressor genes. Genes that generates a mutator phenotype. Cooperativity among oncogenes. Hypothesis of the multiple hit. Epigenetic bases of cancer. Role of DNA methylation and related enzymes. Role of histone variants and histone modifications. Functional screens employed to identify novel genetic/epigenetic functions that contribute to cancer formations. Strategies of cancer gene therapy.

Reading of original articles.

Readings/Bibliography

Original articles provided during the course

Teaching methods

ppt slides and use of white board

Assessment methods

Assessment methods: The exam of Cancer Biology course (Porcelli-Perini-Rapino) will consist in written multiple choice test with a total of 100 questions (33 questions for each module +1).

Teaching tools

power point slides and scientific articles

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Perini