28692 - Molecular Biology 2

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is the acquiriment of an adequate understanding of the molecular basis of eukaryotic cell functions. Emphasis will be placed on genome structure and organization; chromatin structure and function in relation to the regulation of gene expression; cell cycle and its regulation; oncogenes and apoptosis.

Course contents

Course contents:

Structural organization of the eukaryotic genome. Gene number and genome complexity,Gene maps. Evolution of the genome and conservation of exons. Single and repetitive sequences, DNA satellites. Gene clusters and their evolution.Pseudogenes  and their origin. Repetitive genes: ribosomal gene clusters. Unequal crossing-over, rearrangement/conservation of gene sequences.

Transposable elements in eukaryots. Retroviruses, retroposons, Ty elements , yeast mating type, locus MAT recombination and its regulation. Structural organization of the genes of the immune system and their recombination.

Transcription in Eukaryots. Response elements and DNA structure: DNA binding domains.

Chromatin structure and function. Nucleosome assembly and histones. Nucleosome structure and transcription. Structural modifications of chromatin and remodelling complexes..Hypersensitive sites in relation to transcription.. Structural domains in chromatin. DNA methylation and imprinting, epigenetic inheritance.

Splicing. Catalytic RNA and auto-splicing.

Cell cycle and growth regulation. Cell cycle progression and regulation. Apoptosis.

Oncogenes and cancer.

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

GENES VIII, Benjamin Lewin,

The Cell. A Molecular approach

The compact Gene, Benjamin Lewin

Watson et al., Molecular Biology of the Gene

Teaching methods

Lectures and discussion of the topics with the class

 

Assessment methods

Oral Examination on the subjects treated during the lectures.

Teaching tools

Power-point.

Office hours

See the website of Davide Carlo Ambrosetti

See the website of Marialuisa Melli