- Docente: Vincenzo Scarlato
- Credits: 6
- SSD: BIO/11
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Biotechnology (cod. 8005)
Learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student has adequate knowledge of the fundamental principles and basic mechanisms of molecular biology. In particular, the student is able to understand and discussissues of gene expression, replication and DNA repair, and the structure of the gene at the molecular level.
Course contents
Structure, components and properties of nucleic acids. Gene structures. Central dogma. Genetic code. tRNA structure and synthetases. Ribosome. Protein synthesis: stages of translation initiation factors in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, elongation,translocation, termination. Codon-anticodon interactions. Transcription in prokaryotes: The RNA polymerase and transcription. Structure and function of sigma factors. Structure of the promoter. Termination. Antitermination. Bacterial operons andcoordinated regulation: lac, trp. Structure and function of the Lacrepressor. Operators. Catabolite repression. Antisense RNA. Phage strategies. Phage lambda. Structure of the CI repressor and lysogeny. Comparison of lytic and lysogenic cycles. Transcription in eukaryotes: RNA polymerase, transcription factors and regulatory elements. Replication. DNA polymerase I and III of E. coli. Other DNA polymerases. Repair systems. Recombination. Rec and Ruv systems. DNA topology.
Readings/Bibliography
The slides presented in class do not replace the reference text but is a guide for the selection and understanding of the topics to be studied.
Il Gene, Seconda Edizione Compatta, B. LEWIN, Zanichelli
Teaching methods
Class lectures
The course consists of lectures aimed to the comprehension of the fundamental principles and basic mechanisms of cell functioning.
Assessment methods
Written test
The exam takes place only through the final exam, which ensures the acquisition of knowledge and expected skills by conducting a written test for 1.5 hours without the aid of notes or books.
The written test consists of 40 multiple choice questions and one open question. Each multiple choice question achieves 0.5 points, while the open question allows for a maximum of 10 points. The final grade of the module is calculated as the sum of the obtained points.
The final grade for the integrated course in Molecular biology will be the weighted average of this teaching and that of eukaryotic molecular biology module.
Teaching tools
PC and video projector.
Office hours
See the website of Vincenzo Scarlato