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

1. Analyzing cells, molecules ans systems: from cellular theory and microscopy to System Biology; genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics: new topics in medical science; genomics and post-genomics methods of the translational medicine
2. Basic components of cells
3. The prokaryotic cells
4. The eukaryotic cells
5. The cell membrane: structure and function
6. Intracellular compartments and protein sorting
   
7. Mitochondria and mitochondrial network
8. Cytoskeleton: structure and function
9. Intracellular membrane traffic: Endocytosis / exocytosis/ cellular autophagy
10. The nucleus: DNA structure and genome organization
11. DNA transcription and the translation machinery
12. Control of gene expression
13. Cell cycle
14. Cell division: mitosis. Control of cell division: proliferation, differentiation, cell death (hints)
15. Meiosis. Gametogenesis
    
16. Genome organization and variability: DNA mutations, Human chromosome structure and their abnormalities, Copy Number Variations
17. Mendel’s Laws of Heredity, pedigrees, mendelian traits
18. Autosomal dominant traits
19. Autosomal recessive traits
20. X-linked traits
21. Exceptions to Mendelian disorders
22. Population genetics

Readings/Bibliography

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

-Alberts et al Molecular biology of the CELL VI edition.

- Strachan and Reads Human Molecular Genetics IV edition.

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

Teaching methods

The teaching will be carried using ppt 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 66% of lessons. For Integrated Courses (IC), the 66% 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.

Molecular Biology: discussion of issues and experimental findings presented throughout the course by the aid of computer assisted presentations.

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

Ppt presentation and 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