General Info

courseProgram

Alkanes and cycloalkanes. Introduction. Structure. Hybridization sp3. Nomenclature. Physical properties. Structural isomerism. Conformational analysis (ethane, cyclohexane). Stability of cycloalkanes (angular tension, torsional tension, steric tension). Cyclohexane derivatives (cis-trans stereoisomerism). Bicyclic and polycyclic alkanes. Natural role and applications of alkanes.

Alkenes. Introduction. Structure. Hybridization sp2. Nomenclature. Physical properties. Stability (hydrogenation heat, combustion heat). Nomenclature system (E) - (Z) for alkenes. Cycloalkenes. Biological function.

Alkynes. Introduction. Structure. Hybridization sp. Nomenclature. Physical properties.

Functional groups and classes of organic compounds. Alkyl halides. Alcohols. Ethers. Amines. Aldehydes and ketones. Carboxylic acids. Esters and amides. Introduction. Structure. Nomenclature. Physical properties.

Stereochemistry. Introduction. Carbon chirality. Enantiomers and chiral molecules. Graphic representation. Nomenclature (R) (S). Optical activity (specific rotary power, racemic definition, optical purity). Diastereoisomers (meso compounds).

Aromatic compounds. Introduction. Benzene. Structure and stability. Huckel's rule. Other aromatic compounds. Nomenclature of benzene derivatives. Induction and resonance phenomena. Heterocyclic aromatic compounds. Aromatic compounds in biochemistry.

Carbohydrates. Classification. Monosaccharides. Mutarotation and formation of glucosides. Configuration D or L. Disaccharides. Polysaccharides.

Protein. Structure of the aminoacids. Nomenclature. Peptide bond. Oligopeptides.

Nucleic acids. Purine and pyrimidine nucleic bases. Nucleoside. Nucleotides. Oligonucleotides.

Lipids.

Module B. REACTIVITY

Alkane and cycloalkane reactions. Chlorination of methane. Free radicals. Stability and structure. Thermodynamics and kinetics. Halogenation of higher alkanes.

Nucleophilic substitution reactions. SN2 reaction. SN1 reaction. Mechanisms and stereochemical trends. Effects of the solvent and the leaving group. Elimination reactions. Reaction E1. Reaction E2. Competition between replacement and elimination.

examMode

ASSESSMENT OF THE PROFIT

The final evaluation is a written test followed by an oral evaluation. The final exam focuses on the latest edition of the organic chemistry program. The written exam consists of two theoretical questions and three problems related to the topics of the course. The questions are built to verify the knowledge capacity and the connection between the course contents. The oral exam consists in the revision of the written assignment and in the deepening of some of its contents. The final grade corresponds to the average of the two tests.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam takes place in the forms established by the University Teaching Regulations. The vote is expressed in thirtieths, with possible praise. Passing the exam requires the awarding of a grade not lower than eighteen / thirty and involves the assignment of the corresponding university educational credits. In the evaluation of the tests and in the attribution of the final grade, the following will be taken into account: the level of knowledge of the demonstrated contents (superficial, appropriate, precise and complete, complete and thorough), the ability to apply the theoretical concepts (errors in applying the concepts , discreet, good, well established), of the capacity for analysis, synthesis and interdisciplinary connections (sufficient, good, excellent), of the capacity of critical sense and of formulation of judgments (sufficient, good, excellent), of the mastery of expression (exposure lacking, simple, clear and correct, safe and correct). In particular, the questions will aim at verifying the learning objectives: Knowledge of the theories that interpret the formation of chemical bonds, application of these theories for the construction of organic molecules, classification of organic molecules based on their structure, chemical properties - physical and reactivity. The calendar of the appeals and the registration to the exam sessions is done through the University portal.

books

Chimica Organica Essenziale, Bruno Botta, EdiTes

mode

Classroom lectures supported by practical exercises in solving problems related to the contents of the lesson. For frontal diary activities, 7 CFU are scheduled.

classRoomMode

Attendance at the course, although highly recommended, is optional

courseProgram

The course will take place according to the following breakdown:
1. History of Microbiology (notes): the discovery of the world of micro-organisms and the controversy over spontaneous generation; microorganisms as agents of disease and their role in the transformation of organic matter.
2. Technical basis of microbiological laboratory: the microscope, notes of optical physics; fresh and colorful slides; electron microscopy (transmission and scanning); pure culture and its achievement; general principles of microbial nutrition; preparation culture media, theory and practice of sterilization; controls sterility.
3. Cytology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell: general introduction; structure and ultrastructure of the bacterial cell; structure and function of the membrane; transport systems across membrane; cell wall and its chemical composition and characteristics; the wall of Gram + and Gram -; cell wall of archaebacteria and eukaryotes; capsule and the associated virulence; cell movement and structure for movement; chemotaxis, bacterial endospore, structure, function and importance; overview of spores of eukaryotes and the alternation of generation; mitochondria and respiratory function; overview of the arrangement of DNA and cell division.
4. Cell physiology: brief review of cellular chemistry and biochemistry (activation energy, catalysis and enzymes, biological redox reactions, hydrogen and electron transport; phosphate molecules with energy bonds); production of energy in biological systems; glycolysis and similar ways; re-oxidation of NADH: fermentation and respiration; alcoholic and lactic fermentations, aerobic respiration, the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the electron transport system; energy balance of catabolism; notes on anaerobic respiration, biosynthesis of cellular material.
5. Microbial growth of a single cell and a microbial population; measure of growth and related curve; catabolic repression and diauxia; effect of cultivation conditions on microbial growth.
6. Principles of molecular genetics and bacterial genetics: references to the structure of DNA; action of restriction enzymes; DNA replication; genetic elements; rearrangement of genes; transposons; transcription process; structure and function of mRNA and tRNA; translation process and protein synthesis; the genetic code; mutagens and mutations; recombination in bacteria; transformation, transduction and conjugation; plasmids and their biological significance.
7. Virology: the nature of the viral particle; viral count; general characteristics of viral reproduction; principles of genetics of viruses; bacteriophage RNA; icosahedral single-stranded DNA bacteriophages; double-stranded DNA viruses; the temperate bacterial viruses and lysogeny;, the main families of animal viruses (notes).
8. Microbial ecology: references to traditional techniques for isolation and identification of microorganisms; interactions between microbial populations and with other organisms; microbial communities and ecosystems, the main biogeochemical cycles (carbon, nitrogen, iron, etc.); role of microorganisms on environmental decontamination; aerobic and anaerobic catabolism of organic contaminants and wastewaters treatment;
9. Microbial biotechnology: microorganisms of industrial interest; screening from natural environments and collections, the bioreactors, geometry and applications; scale-up process; primary and secondary metabolites; notes on production of antibiotics, enzymes, aminoacids and on immobilization techniques.

The laboratory practices cover the following topics:
1. The pure culture and its isolation: spreading and crawling, the re-isolation; the enrichment cultures;
2. Culutre media: preparation of liquidi e solid media;
3. Microscopy and microscopic observation; observations of fresh samples; simple and differential staining and observations of stained preparations;
4. Cultivation of microorganisms and measurement of microbial growth (direct and cultural counts, dry weight, turbidimetry).

examMode

The in itinere test, carried out around half of the semester, consists of a questionnaire with open and closed answers.
Those who have taken the test in itinere and accept the positive result, will take the final oral exam on topics other than those covered by the on-going test. In this case, the oral consists of 2-3 questions of which, generally, 1-2 on the part of General Microbiology and 1-2 on the parts of Ecology and Microbial Biotechnology.
If the in itinere test is not carried out or if the outcome is not accepted, the oral exam consists of 3-5 questions of which, generally, 1 on laboratory exercises, 1-3 on the General Microbiology part and 1- 2 on the parts of Ecology and Microbial Biotechnology. In particular situations or peculiarities of one or more candidates, the exam can be done in written form with five open-ended questions, evaluated as for the oral exam. Candidates will be given one and a half hours to respond.
The attribution of the final grade will take into account: the level of knowledge of the contents (superficial, appropriate, precise and complete, complete and in-depth), the ability to apply the theoretical concepts (discrete, good, well established), the ability to analyze , of synthesis and interdisciplinary connections (sufficient, good, excellent), of critical abilities and of making judgments (sufficient, good, excellent), of the mastery of expression and use of scientific-technical language (lacking, simple, clear and correct, safe and correct).

books

Suggested texts to choose from:
- Brock, Biologia dei microrganismi - Microbiologia generale, ambientale e industriale 16/Ed. -Michael T. Madigan, Kelly S. Bender, Daniel H. Buckley, David A. Stahl, W. Matthew Sattley, Pearson, 2022
- Brock, Biologia dei microrganismi - Microbiologia generale, ambientale e industriale 14/E - di Michael T. Madigan, John M. Martinko, David A. Stahl, Kelly S. Bender, Daniel H. Buckley - Pearson, 2015.
- Biologia dei microrganismi di G. Dehò e E. Galli, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, nuova edizione (3^ edizione), 2018.
- Microbiologia di D.R. Wessner, D. Dupont e T.C. Charles, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2015.
- Brock, Biologia dei Microrganismi di M.T. Madigan e J.M. Martinko, D.A. Stahl, D.P. Clark, Pearson, 2012. Volumi 1 e 2.
- Brock, Biologia dei Microrganismi di M.T. Madigan e J.M. Martinko, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana. Volumi 1 e 2A.
- Biologia dei microrgaismi di G. Dehò e E. Galli, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2012.

classRoomMode

Attendance is optional even if participation for discussion in class e, mainly, for practical activities and laboratory exercises is highly recommended

bibliography

- Brock, Biologia dei microrganismi - Microbiologia generale, ambientale e industriale 16/Ed. -Michael T. Madigan, Kelly S. Bender, Daniel H. Buckley, David A. Stahl, W. Matthew Sattley, Pearson, 2022
- Brock, Biologia dei microrganismi - Microbiologia generale, ambientale e industriale 14/E - di Michael T. Madigan, John M. Martinko, David A. Stahl, Kelly S. Bender, Daniel H. Buckley - Pearson, 2015.
- Biologia dei microrganismi di G. Dehò e E. Galli, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, nuova edizione (3^ edizione), 2018.
- Microbiologia di D.R. Wessner, D. Dupont e T.C. Charles, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2015.

courseProgram

1. How traits are transmitted
1.1 The Mendel's analysis
1.2 Extensions of mendelian inheritance
1.3 The Chromosome theory
1.4 Linkage and recombination

2. What genes are and what they do
2.1 The DNA is the molecule of the heredity
2.2 The gene expression

3. Mutations
3.1 Genetic dissection through mutations

4. The chromosomes
4.1 The eukaryotic chromosome
4.2 Chromosome rearrangements
4.3 Changes in chromosome number
4.4 Organellar inheritance

5. Genetic analysis in bacteria

6. How genes are regulated
6.1 Gene Regulation in prokaryotes
6.2 Gene regulation in eukaryotes
6.3 Epigenetic inheritance

7. Beyond the individual gene and genome
7.1 Genetic analysis of populations
7.2 Genetic analysis of complex traits

8. Applied genetics
8.1 Gene manipulation
8.2 Genetic biotechnology

examMode

The midterm written exam and the final written exam are conducted in the same manner.
Exam Format:
• Students are assigned exercises, typically 10 in number, each carrying the same weight for grading, i.e., 3 points per exercise.
• These exercises involve practical application of genetic concepts explained during lectures and are designed to assess whether students have developed the ability to reason according to the principles of hereditary trait transmission.
• The exercises are similar to those performed during practical sessions.
Key Areas of Focus:
• Exercises emphasize formal aspects of genetics including Mendelism, sex-linked inheritance, gene mapping in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, mutations and mutagenesis, regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes, and population genetics.
Final Exam:
• The final written exam covers either the second part of the course or the entire course, depending on whether the student has passed the midterm exam.
• The final grade for the written component is the average of the midterm (if taken) and the final written exam.
Oral Exam:
• If the final written exam grade is 18/30 or higher, the student may choose to confirm this grade without taking the oral exam.
• The oral exam assesses knowledge of topics not easily tested through numerical exercises and, if necessary, provides an opportunity to delve deeper into the theoretical concepts underlying the written exercises.

books

Genetics
Michael Goldberg, Janice A. Fischer, Leroy Hood
McGraw-Hill Education
VII° edition

mode

Classroom lectures, slideshows and videos. Exercises will be given, devoted to the solving of problems aimed at demonstrating the knowledge of genetic principles and the ability to apply them.

classRoomMode

Optional

bibliography

Genetics
Michael Goldberg, Janice A. Fischer, Leroy Hood
McGraw-Hill Education
VII° edition

courseProgram

The complexity of genomes. Nucleic acid high throughput investigation techniques. Algorithms and software for assembling DNA sequences. Databases of biological interest. Bioinformatic methods for quality control of NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) reads. Database query principles. RNA-seq analysis. Alignment algorithms. Manipulation of nucleic acid sequences and DB queries in Python

examMode

In the evaluation of the written test with open-ended questions, the attribution of the final mark will take into account: the level of knowledge of the contents shown (superficial, appropriate, precise and complete, complete and thorough), the ability to apply the theoretical concepts (fair, good, well established), the ability of analysis, of synthesis and of interdisciplinary connections (sufficient, good, excellent), the capacity of critical sense and of the formulation of judgments (sufficient, good, excellent), the mastery of expression (lack of exposure, simple, clear and correct, safe and correct)

books

Teaching materials: slide and video on moodle

Optional text: "Fondamenti di bioinformatica" di Manuela Helmer Citterich, Fabrizio Ferrè, Giulio Pavesi, Graziano Pesole, Chiara Romualdi".

mode

Frontal teaching in the classroom

courseProgram

GENERAL ISSUES
Chemistry of living tissues.Role and properties of water in biological processes.Hydrogen bond and other secondary interactions. Protein-forming amino acids: structure and properties. Peptide bond: formation and geometry; structural organizations of proteins (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures). Protein functions. Examples of structure/function relationships in globular (i.e: myoglobin and hemoglobin), fibrous (i.e: collagen, alfa- and beta-keratins) and membrane proteins.
Role and classification of enzymes.Vitamins and coenzymes.Enzyme kinetics and thermodynamics; Michaelis-Menten equation; significance and determination of kinetic parameters (Km, Vmax, Turnover Number).Enzyme regulation: basic principles. Structure and function of nucleotides.
METABOLISM
General aspects of metabolism: eso- and endoergonic reactions; high energy compounds; coupled reactions; catabolic and anabolic patways.
Carbohydrates.Structure and general properties of the principal carbohydrates.The glycolytic pathway.Pyruvatefermentation.Fate of pyruvate under aerobic conditions.Thephosphogluconatepathway.Gluconeogenesis.Degradative metabolism of disaccharides and polysaccharides (starch and glicogen).Glicogenbiosynthesis.Regulation of carbohydrate metabolism.
Lipids. Chemistry and metabolism of simple and complex lipids. Structure and properties of: fatty acids; triacyl-glicerols; membrane lipids. Catabolism of triacyl-glicerols: lipases and beta-oxidation of fatty acids. Metabolism of propionate and formation of ketone bodies.
Proteins.Protein degradation and protein turnover.Ubiquitin and proteasome complex.Proteolytic enzymes and protein digestion.Fate of amino acid alfa-amino groups and urea cycle.General aspects of amino acid catabolism; fate of aminoacid carbon atoms.
The generation of energy in the central metabolism: citric acid cycle, mitochondrial electron transport chain, oxidative phosphorylation and ATP synthesis.

examMode

Three questions will be proposed on arguments related to the course. They will be referred to:
- basic knowledge of biochemistry;
- structural aspects of biomolecules;
- a metabolic pathway.
A mid-term written exam could be proposed.

books

Main books:
VOET, VOET, PRATT: Fundamentals of Biochemistry
NELSON, COX: Lehninger principles of biochemistry

mode

Lessons in the classroom with power point presentations, videos, animations.

classRoomMode

Attendance of lessons is not mandatory. However, the participation in person is recommended.

bibliography

No particular references are used during the course. The topics are all covered by the textbooks.

courseProgram

Program
Historical aspects : from the discovery of DNA to the genetic code and structure of nucleic acids.
a) Structure of DNA and RNA: nucleotides, conformations of helices A, B , C , denaturation and renaturation of the double helix.
b) Organization of DNA supercoiling , the histone proteins and the levels of organization of chromatin : nucleosome . Analysis of chromatin by enzymatic digestion with nuclease .
c) DNA replication : replicon model , identification of the origin of replication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes : structural and functional characteristics of the proteins involved in the process of replication, Okazaki fragments , the primers , the DNA polymerase I -II-III .

Transcription .
a) The Control of Transcription in prokaryotes . Structure of ”Operon” . Operator Sites and Promoters ( strong and weak promoters ). RNA polymerase and sigma factors .
b ) Repressors and activators : the Lac operon and the operon araBAD
c) The attenuation : the Trp operon .
d) The RNA polymerase in eukaryotes : structure, promoters, initiation, elongation and termination.
e) The eukaryotic mRNA : capping, the tails of poly ( A), mRNA splicing .

Translation
a) The genetic code
b) Transfer RNA : structure, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases , proofreading and correction, the pairing oscillating , the suppressor mutation no sense .
c) Ribosomes : composition, structure , antibiotic inhibitors of protein synthesis.
d ) Beginning the translation: GTP , the Shine- Dalgarno sequence , the initiation codon , the protein factors
e) The elongation : the binding of tRNA , the transpeptidation , translocation , protein elongation factors .
f) Termination
The study of genes : cloning techniques ; the cloning vectors , gene amplification (PCR ) ; DNA sequencing ; analysis of the promoters ( use of reporter genes )

The program will be carried out during the hours of frontal lessons which will be equal to 64 (32 lessons) and to 4 (2 lessons) at the Bioinformatics laboratory (subject to classroom availability)
Practical exercises will be organized at the Biochemistry teaching laboratory (8 hours, 1 CFU).
The date and time of the exercises will be communicated directly by the teacher in the classroom.
The teacher will determine the methods for dividing the work into groups and will communicate the laboratory shifts. Students who have attended a number of lessons spread over the entire period of the course will be admitted to the exercises. The number will be defined at the beginning of the course.

examMode

The student must demonstrate that he has learned all the topics of the course program. Depending on the number of students enrolled in the individual exams, the verification can be carried out through an oral interview or through a written exam (test that includes single-question or multiple-choice quizzes)
Example: The student describes the process of transcription of DNA into RNA in prokaryotic systems

books

the English version of the books:

Watson,J.D., Baker T.A., Bell S.P. Gann A., Levine M., Losick R. "Biologia molecolare del gene" VIII edizione (2022) Zanichelli

Capranico G., Martegani E., Musci G., Raugei G., Russo T., Zambrano N., Zappavigna V. "Biologia molecolare" II edizione (2022) EdiSES

Amaldi F., Benedetti P. Pesole G., Plevani P., "Biologia molecolare" terza ed. (2018) ed. Casa editrice Ambrosiana
Lizabeth A. Allison "Fondamenti di Biologia molecolare" II ed (2023) Zanichelli

Additional teaching material (videos, pdf files, quizzes to test the level of learning) will be provided by the teacher

mode

eaching is represented by lectures.
Teaching material is available on the Google classroom website using an access number provided by the teacher.
This material is not a substitute for the reference texts but is complementary and explanatory of these, and is a guide to the selection and understanding of the topics to be addressed.

Practical exercises (1 CFU) will be organized in the teaching laboratory. At the end of the exercise, the delivery of a report is required.
The methods of participation will be provided by the teacher during the course.

classRoomMode

Attendance at lessons is not mandatory. However, considering that the teaching will be
organized to ensure the centrality of the student's active role, participation in lessons is
highly recommended especially to be able to participate in the practical exercises that will be held towards the end of the course.

bibliography

the English version of the books:

Watson,J.D., Baker T.A., Bell S.P. Gann A., Levine M., Losick R. "Biologia molecolare del gene" VIII edizione (2022) Zanichelli

Capranico G., Martegani E., Musci G., Raugei G., Russo T., Zambrano N., Zappavigna V. "Biologia molecolare" II edizione (2022) EdiSES

Amaldi F., Benedetti P. Pesole G., Plevani P., "Biologia molecolare" terza ed. (2018) ed. Casa editrice Ambrosiana
Lizabeth A. Allison "Fondamenti di Biologia molecolare" II ed (2023) Zanichelli

Additional teaching material (videos, pdf files, quizzes to test the level of learning) will be provided by the teacher

courseProgram

Cell physiology: cell membrane and transports, cellular communication, active and passive electrical properties, synaptic transmission and signal conduction.
General organization of the nervous system, cell types.
Sensory function: somatosensory, visual, auditory, vestibular, taste, olfactory system.
Skeletal muscle physiology.
Physiology of the heart and circulatory system.
Physiology of the respiratory system.
Physiology of the renal system.
Endocrine regulation.

examMode

The student must demonstrate to have acquired the basic principles that regulate the functions and communication of cells, with particular reference to excitable cells. The student will have to know the physiological processes and the functioning mechanisms of the nervous and muscular systems, of the sensory structures and of the main vegetative systems.
Depending on the exam, the evaluation method may be oral only, written only or both (choice).
In the oral exam, the knowledge and mastery of the topics, the clarity of the exposition, the vision of the discipline and the correct use of the technical terminology will be considered as elements of evaluation (expressed out of 30; sufficient 18).
In the written exam, a test will be administered with 30 multiple choice questions of which only one is correct (expressed out of 30; sufficient 18, with 15 correct answers).

books

-“Fisiologia, dalle molecole ai sistemi integrati”, Carbone, Cicirata, Aicardi (EdiSES)
-“Fisiologia Umana, Fondamenti”, Autori vari (Edi-Ermes)
-"Fisiologia", Berne & Levy (CEA)
-"Fisiologia medica", Guyton & Hall (Edra)
- however, other human Physiology texts can also be used as long as they are updated
- “slides” of the lessons made available by the teacher in the website (as valuable tools describing the program)

mode

Frontal lessons

classRoomMode

There is no obligation to attend

bibliography

-“Fisiologia, dalle molecole ai sistemi integrati”, Carbone, Cicirata, Aicardi (EdiSES)
-“Fisiologia Umana, Fondamenti”, Autori vari (Edi-Ermes)
-"Fisiologia", Berne & Levy (CEA)
-"Fisiologia medica", Guyton & Hall (Edra)

courseProgram

The properties of Gases. Thermodynamics: the first law. Work, Heat and Energy. Conservation of Energy. The Internal energy. The internal Energy as a state function. The Enthalpy. Heat capacity. Thermochemistry. Applications: Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC). Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Ligand Binding.
The second Law. Direction of a spontaneous change. Entropy and second law. The entropy change accompanying expansion, heating and phase transition. The statistical Entropy. The Gibbs energy: properties of the Gibbs energy. Chemical potential and equilibrium. Ideal solutions (Raoult's Law and Henry's Law). Osmotic pressure. Equilibrium and temperature change. Equilibrium and composition.
Physical Equilibria of pure substances. Variation of Gibbs energy with pressure and temperature. Thermodynamics of mixtures. Partial molar properties. Spontaneous mixing. Ideal solutions. Colligative properties: Osmotic pressure
Electrochemistry. Electrochemical cells. Half reactions and electrodes. The cell potential. Standard potentials. Action and resting potential.
Chemical kinetics. Reaction rate: definitions. Rate laws and rate constants. Reaction order. The determination of the rate law. Integrated rate laws. Arrhenius theory. Collision theory.
Quantum theory. Wave-particle dualism. Wave theory. Translational Energy: the particle in the box. Rotational motion and energy calculation. Vibrational motion and energy calculation.
Spectroscopy. The electromagnetic spectrum. Rotational spectroscopy. I.R spectroscopy. Electronic spectroscopy and the Lambert-Beer law. Introduction to fluorescence

examMode

At the end of the course, a comprehensive, final oral exam with numerical examples will focus on ascertaining knowledge of the topics covered during the course and on the indicated program. Exam dates are available online.

books

Atkins De Paula - Elementi di Chimica Fisica, Zanichelli

Atkins- De Paula: Chimica Fisica Biologica, Zanichelli.
Klostermeier D. - Rudolph MG: Biophysical Chemistry, CRC Press
R. Chang : Chimica Fisica 1, 2 vol., Zanichelli
Donald A. McQuarrie, John D. Simon: Chimica Fisica Un approccio molecolare, Zanichelli
Kuriyan-Konforti-Wemmer: The Molecules of Life. Garland Sciences

mode

Frontal teaching: The teaching methodology includes classroom lectures, presentations (ppt) with graphic illustrations, photographs, and videos. Relationships will be explained on the blackboard and the various passages will be described. Numerical exercises will also be carried out during the course. In-course assessment, such as midterms and quizzes, will be an integral part of the course.

classRoomMode

Attendance is not mandatory

bibliography

Lecture notes
Atkins- De Paula: Chimica Fisica Biologica, Zanichelli.
Klostermeier D. - Rudolph MG: Biophysical Chemistry, CRC Press
R. Chang : Chimica Fisica 1, 2 vol., Zanichelli
Donald A. McQuarrie, John D. Simon: Chimica Fisica Un approccio molecolare, Zanichelli
Kuriyan-Konforti-Wemmer: The Molecules of Life. Garland Sciences

courseProgram

The course starts with the basic principles of recombinant DNA illustrating the mechanism of action of of restriction and modification enzymes, and gene cloning through host-vector systems.
The mechanism of action of standard and quantitative PCR is presented in detail, but particular importance is given to applications of such methodologies, through specific examples.
Among the different methods of DNA sequencing only the Sanger method is reported, both in its manual and automated versions.
The various techniques of analysis of nucleic acids and proteins, including electrophoresis on agarose and polyacrylamide and through blotting (Southern, Northern and Western blotting), and the different fields of application of these techniques are presented.
In regard to libreries, both the construction process, and the analysis of the genomic, cDNA and expression libraries are shown, with an emphasis on information obtained from their use.
The Arabidopsis thaliana and Homo sapiens genome projects are presented, explaining the criteria of choice of model organisms, and information obtained by the complete knowledge of these genomes.
Structural, functional and comparative genomics, as well as the technologies related to each of these branches, are presented. In particular, technologies related to structural genomics, through analysis of the genomic libraries for the sequencing of extended portions of DNA, and to functional genomics, through the main techniques of analysis of transcriptome and proteome, are explained.
Finally, genetically modified plants are presented: how they are realized through the two main systems (biolistic and Agrobacterium), by illustrating advantages and disadvantages of both these methods; how a genetic construct for expression in plants is made, which genetically modified plants are present on the market, with hints related to the issue of their acceptability.

Practical classes:
• Bacterial transformation using a recombinant plasmid vector, which is extracted in a subsequent practical class and characterized by agarose gel electrophoresis
• Standard PCR to determine the presence of a specific transgene in plants of GM wheats
• SDS-PAGE to analyze the protein composition of wheat kernels
• The use of the spectrophotometer to determine the amount of DNA and proteins

If the students are more than 30, practical classes are performed in turns.

examMode

The students that regularly attend the course, or prefer to take the exam in two parts, can take part in the written exemption held in the middle of the course (during the specific week of suspension of the course). Only those who pass this first exemption can take the second and final part of the exam in the same way, at the end of the course.
The written exemptions consist of multiple choice questions to which a positive score is assigned in case of a correct answer, and a negative score in case of a wrong answer, or with questions with open answer.
It is possible to take orally the second part of the exam.
The whole exam is taken only orally. In this case two questions are posed: one concerns the first part of the course (up to the libraries included) and the second concerns the final part.The final score is the average of the two scores of the respective exemptions or of the two oral questions, with particular attention at the second part.
There are two questions that do not allow to continue the exam unless at least a sufficient level of knowledge is ascertained: 1) standard and quantitative PCR, along with their applications in different fields 2) Genetically Modified Plants

books

Brown T. Molecular Biotechnology
Slides and other materials will be made available to students on Moodle platform

mode

The course is held in classroom whereas practical classes are held in the dedicated classroom

classRoomMode

Attendance is not mandatory but recommended, because there are no specific and exhaustive textbooks, so listening to the lessons is important

bibliography

Brown T. Molecular Biotechnology
Slides and other materials will be made available to students on Moodle platform

courseProgram

Course description:
Sustainable and ethically responsible development is where scientific innovations are incorporated into the productive, social, and cultural systems. Questions related to the ethical, legal, and social implications of biotechnological advances are continuously arising in Italy and abroad.
Bioethics represents a strong appeal to conscience asking in which direction is humanity guiding the scientific progress and what are the criteria for judging it, whether it is good or bad.
The strategic role assumed by science in the biotechnological and socio-economic fields pushed scientists and researchers to seek social consensus around their activities, making science communication "public outreach" an absolute necessity.
This course presents the main issues that bioethics is called to face today in the field of biotechnology. Furthermore, it addresses the following questions: how to judge advanced biotechnological applications in the agro-forestry, agri-environmental, agri-food, and biomedical sectors from an ethical point of view? Is biotechnology safe, acceptable, and ethically responsible? What ethics questions and ethics issues does it raise? What are the possible advantages, risks, benefits, and/or costs of its possible use?
Course objectives:
The course provides students with basic knowledge on bioethics. Students will have the opportunity to learn the most relevant cases concerning: agro-forestry, agro-environmental, and agro-food biotechnologies, medical biotechnologies, intellectual property, and socio-scientific aspects. The course also aims to lead students to reflect and adjudicate controversies and debates on ethics issues in biotechnology and to help them develop a bioethics decision-making model after critical ethical reasoning.
The course will contribute to the following learning outcomes: (i) The student will acquire knowledge, skills, and competencies to understand, analyze, and describe the practical implications and consequent ethical issues of biotechnology. The student will also acquire theoretical-experimental knowledge of applied ethics. All this knowledge, skills, and competencies will allow the student to understand and analyze both the fundamental elements of bioethics and the interdisciplinary ones.
(ii) The student will be able to translate theoretical knowledge into practice and to argue problems in the field of bioethics in biotechnology. Through case studies, students will acquire the ability to apply theoretical knowledge on a practical level by implementing critical reasoning and developing decision-making models of bioethics.
(iii) The student will also have the ability to interpret both basic and applied knowledge of bioethics independently. This ability will be acquired, in particular, thanks to the attendance of practical activities and interactive exercises in the classroom.
(iv) The student attending the course will be able to communicate in a critical manner and with scientific vigor, the knowledge related to ethics and bioethics. This ability will also be achieved thanks to the extensive use of PowerPoint presentations in the classroom and to the interaction, dialogue, and exchange of opinions between students and between students and the teacher both during lectures and during case studies.
(v) Students will understand and acquire methods of inquiry and critical thinking in the ethical and bioethical fields. They will therefore be able to independently deepen the knowledge and skills acquired. This ability will be developed through the active involvement of students through oral discussions in the classroom on specific topics of the course and in case studies.
Science and ethics (8 hours)
• Introduction to bioethics
• Bioethics and biotechnological sciences
• Glossary of bioethics terms and upskilling ethical critical thinking and reasoning and bioethics decision-making model development.

Bioethics in the field of medical biotechnologies (8 hours)
• Gene therapy and ethical considerations
• Give up on gene therapy? (a Bioethics Case Study)
• Stem cells and bioethics

Bioethics and biotechnology (8 hours)
• Ethics and genetic engineering/gene editing in the agricultural and forestry sector
• Public opinion and acceptance of agro-forestry biotechnologies
• Environmental impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
• Hungry for Science: how biotechnology is kept out of Africa? (a Bioethics Case Study)

Bioethics, biotechnology, and intellectual property (8 hours)
• Patent protection of biotechnologies
• Ethical objections to the patentability of biotechnologies
• Biotechnological patent - insulin and others (a Bioethics Case Study)
• The Harvard oncomouse vs the Upjohn mouse (a Bioethics Case Study)

Bioethics decision-making model and ethical reasoning (16 hours)
• Ethical issues in human gene therapy, CRISPR gene editing therapy, Artificial Intelligence and CRISPR gene editing therapy (3 Bioethics Case Studies)
• The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (a Bioethics Case Study)
• Golden rice project (a Bioethics Case Study)
• Can biotechnology be open-source?
• BiOS, an open-source science initiative
• PIPRA, enabling access to public innovation and others

How to effectively communicate bioscience advances (8 hours)
• Storytelling
• Narratives
• Bioethics retreat

examMode

Learning assessment will take place in the following ways:
- Practical tests: the student will have to participate in the group activities planned during the course.
Exercises: the student will have to prepare a Bioethics Case Study according to the tools and materials provided during the course. The case study should refer to the topics of biotechnology, bioethics, and intellectual property (e.g., bioethics decision-making model). The exercises will focus on a presentation of a Bioethics Case Study with bioethics and ethics aspects.
- Oral exam: aimed at assessing the achievement of the course objectives and the degree of individual preparation of the student.

books

Teaching materials will be provided by the professor during the course and will be made available to all students on the Moodle platform and on Google Drive.

mode

Oral exams, practical tests, and exercises

classRoomMode

Attendance is not mandatory but strongly recommended

bibliography

Teaching materials will be provided by the professor during the course and will be made available to all students on the Moodle platform and on Google Drive.

courseProgram

The animal cell. Structure of cell membranes. Plasma membrane. Intracellular compartments. The cytoplasm and intracellular organelles. The cytoskeleton and associated proteins. Intracellular compartments and intracellular vesicle trafficking. Extracellular matrix, basal membrane, intercellular junctions. Cell communications and cell signalling. Receptors and intracellular signalling, signal transduction. Cell cycle, and its regulation, Apoptosis, NET-osis, Micro RNAs, CRISPR/CAS. Cell cultures, technologies of cell cultures, cell communities, staminal cells. Cell Factorie, synthetic cells, 3D cell cultures. Immune defences, comparative immunology and evolution of immune defences, innate immunity, acquired immunity. Cells and molecules of immune systems. Immunological and immunodiagnostic techniques. Monoclonal antibodies and their use. Cellular teraphy.

examMode

Discussion with questions on course's arguments

books

Gerald Karp, BIOLOGIA CELLULARE E MOLECOLARE, Ed. EDISES
Ginelli, M. Malcovati, MOLECOLE, CELLULE E ORGANISMI, Ed. EDISES
A. Abbas, AH. Lichtman, S Pillai,LE BASI DELL'IMMUNOLOGIA. FISIOPATOLOGIA DEL SISTEMA IMMUNITARIO, Ed. EDRA

mode

Lectures in room if possible, through the web when necessary only

bibliography

Pertinent literature and graphic material (slides, papers, web links) will be given during lectures and periodically updated