- Docente: Davide Roncarati
- Credits: 6
- SSD: BIO/11
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Molecular and cellular biology (cod. 8021)
Learning outcomes
The student will gain in depth knowledge of the most important regulatory strategies adopted by bacteria to control gene expression with a particular focus on the mechanisms governing transcriptional regulation and post-transcriptional control exerted by non-coding (regulatory) RNAs. In particular, at the end of the course, the student will be able to: 1) analyse and discuss the main topics about regulation of gene expression; 2) understand, analyse and discuss research papers; 3) plan experimental approaches to study a biological problem.
Course contents
Components, structure and mechanisms of bacterial RNA polymerase and detailed analysis of the different steps of transcription initiation. Structure and function of bacterial promoters: analysis of the different promoter elements and interactions between RNA polymerase and promoter DNA. Regulation of transcription in bacteria: from simple examples to complex regulatory strategies. Interaction between transcriptional regulators and DNA operators: origins of specificity in protein-DNA recognition, recognition of chemical signature of the DNA bases (base readout), recognition of sequence dependent DNA shape (shape readout). Regulatory (small)RNAs in bacteria: biological roles and mechanisms of cis-/trans-encoded sRNA, riboswitches. Interaction bacteriophage/host: detailed analysis of CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas (CRISPR-associated), a prokaryotic adaptive immune system.
Readings/Bibliography
Reviews and seminal papers.
Teaching methods
Lessons, analysis and in class discussion of seminal research papers. Summarizing PowerPoint presentations.
Assessment methods
The final exam will verifiy the acquisition of the main learning outcomes. In particular the student will be able to:
1) analyse and discuss in details the main topics about regulation of gene expression;
2) understand, analyse and discuss research papers;
3) plan experimental approaches to study a biological problem.
The final exam is made of two parts. Part one: analysis and presentation of a seminal research paper (learning outcome 2); part two: oral exam (assessment of learning outcomes 1 and 3).
Teaching tools
Reviews and seminal research papers. PowerPoint presentations.
Office hours
See the website of Davide Roncarati