84277 - Cellular Biology and Genetics

Learning outcomes

Define the structural components of eukaryotic cells including the membrane, organelles and cytoskeleton. Describe fundamental cellular processes, including cell movement, targeting and trafficking, cell-cell communication, cell cycle, cell division, and apoptosis. Describe the structure and function of chromosomes and genomes. Recognize the pattern of transmission of hereditary characters and exceptions to mendelian inheritance. Identify the types, causes and biological consequences of genetic variation. Explain the relationship between genetic, physical, and cytogenetic maps. Apply the principles of population genetics to calculate genotype and allele frequencies.

Course contents

Cellular Biology

1. Introduction to Biology. Biology in Medicine.
2. Properties of living systems.
3. Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells. Basic components of the cells.
4. Analyzing cells, molecules and systems. "Omics" in the biomedical science.
5. The cell membrane.
6. The nucleus: structure.
7. The nucleus: functions.
8. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
9. The Golgi apparatus.
10. The mitochondrion.
11. Protein sorting.
12. Intracellular membrane traffic 1. Vesicles. Basics.
13. Intracellular membrane traffic 2. Secretory pathways.
14. Intracellular membrane traffic 3. Endocytic pathways. Lysosomes.
15. Cell cycle.
16. Cell division: mitosis.
17. Cell cycle control.
18. Cell differentiation.
19. Cell death.
20. Meiosis.

Genetics

Genes and genome

1. Molecular structure of DNA and genetic information.
2. The human genome.
3. Genes and genome organization:structure and function of the eukaryotic gene; gene families;tandem repetitive sequences; interspersed repetitive sequences.
4. Control of gene expression.

   Genetic variability

5. Normal and pathogenic variants.
6. Gene mutations. Effects of mutations on the products of genes.
7. Human karyotype analyses.
8. Structural chromosomal abnormalities:intra-chromosomal abnormalities;inter-chromosomal abnormalities. Tanslocations.
9. Numerical chromosomal abnormalities. Trisomy 21.

   Laws of Heredity

10. Mendel’s Laws of Heredity. Significance of Mendel’s experiments.
11. Autosomal inheritance:autosomal dominant inheritance;autosomal recessive inheritance;interactions between alleles. Inheritance of AB0 blood group. Inheritance of Rh blood group.
12. Genetic determination of sex
13. X-linked traits
14. Exceptions to Mendelian disorders: linkage and crossing-over; imprinting; mitochondrial inheritance.
15. Genetics of multifactorial characters

Readings/Bibliography

Lectures will be based on relevant peer-reviewed papers and selected chapters from:

Alberts et al. Essential Cell Biology. Norton, Fifth edition, 2019.

Strachan and Read, Human Molecular Genetics. Garland Science, Fifth edition, 2018.

Teaching material and slides are made available to students via the Virtuale platform.

Teaching methods

The teaching will be carried using PowerPoint presentation and interactive use of dedicated databases and softwares during the teaching hours.

Attendance Requirements

Attendance to this learning activity is mandatory; the minimum attendance requirement to be admitted to the final exam is 60% of lessons. For Integrated Courses (IC), the 60% attendance requirement refers to the total amount of I.C. lessons. Students who fail to meet the minimum attendance requirement will not be admitted to the final exam of the course and will have to attend relevant classes again during the next academic year. Professors may authorize excused absences upon receipt of proper justifying documentation, in case of illness or serious reasons. Excused absences do not count against a student’s attendance record to determine their minimum attendance requirement.

 

Assessment methods

Cellular Molecular Biology and Genetics (I.C.)

Cellular Biology and Genetics + Lab: the final examination consists of an oral dissertation (two questions randomly selected) to assess achievement of the skills detailed in the learning outcomes. The student is asked to demonstrate skills in terms of synthesis, analysis and critical appraisal of the topics covered in the course. The maximum score obtainable is equal to 30 cum laude. The exam is considered passed with a minimum score of 18/30.

Molecular Biology: the students will be evaluated by written exam.
The written test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions. Students will receive 1.55 points for each correct answer, 0 points for incorrect or missing answers, and an intermediate score for partially correct answers. The time available to students for the written test is 30 minutes. During the test, the use of support materials, such as textbooks, notes, computer supports, is not allowed. The maximum score obtainable by providing all correct answers is equal to 30 cum laude. The test is considered passed with a minimum score of 18/30.

The final mark will be determined as weighted average mark (weights are the relative course credits).

E.g.

Cellular Biology and Genetics + lab (7+1 credits): 27/30

Molecular Biology (2 credits): 30/30

Weighted average mark: (27*8)+(30*2) / 10 = 27.6

Final mark: 28/30

For more info: https://www.unibo.it/en/teaching/course-timetable-and-exams/about-exams

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations, interactive use of dedicated databases and softwares.

E-learning material (including scientific literature and self-assessment tools) will be provided.

Office hours

See the website of Maria Chiara Pelleri