12946 - Molecular Biology (A-K)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the Course, the Student will be able to discuss a number of crucial issues in cellular and molecular biology, including: the role of cytoskeleton and microtubuli in the generation and transmission of multifaceted information programs in cellular dynamics.; nuclear trafficking of signaling molecules and transcription factors; the main pathways of transcription factor activation; the molecular underpinning of gene expression regulation; the role of epigenetics and chromatin remodeling in cell fate determination; the current molecular dissection of stem cell pluripotency; the current understanding of cell reprogramming; a brief overview of the entanglement between Physics and Biology.

Course contents

- The cytoskeleton as a dynamic web-like entity supporting the network of intracellular signaling at multiple interconnected levels, including mechanical, electric, and electromagnetic patterning  - Analysis of the interplay between signal-transduction pathways and gene expression - Nuclear trafficking of signaling molecules and transcription factors; transcriptional implications - Genome structure and fucntion - Epigenetics, chromatin remodeling and physical forces driving DNA architecture and gene transcription - Genome and differentiating potential - Stem Cells and perspectives for Regenerative Medicine - Cell Reprogramming: perspectives in cell therapy

Readings/Bibliography

Based on the continuously evolving of the field and the lack of comprehensive and exhaustive material in the form of books, the course is based on the presentation of the material that will be supplied to the students

Teaching methods

Presentation and informal discussion of the scientific material

Assessment methods

Timely discussion of the investigate issues.

Use of telematic tools, including PubMed_Medline, as a strategy for Student's personal verification of her/his own learning throughout the Course.

Final oral examination

Teaching tools

Lessons and seminars conducted wit power point presentations

Office hours

See the website of Carlo Ventura