Ateneo - UPO

The course provides the fundamentals of cell and molecular biology needed to understand the physiological and pathophysiological processes relevant to the health professions. Topics include: the chemistry of the cell and biological macromolecules; the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and of the extracellular matrix; biological membranes and transport mechanisms; cellular energy metabolism; the organization of genetic material and DNA replication; the cell cycle and cell division (mitosis and meiosis); gene expression (transcription and translation); regulation of gene expression, mutations and the molecular basis of the main cellular diseases.

1) C. Donati, M. Stefani, N. Taddei. Biologia & Genetica (Ed. Zanichelli)2) P. Bonaldo, C. Crisafulli, R. D'Angelo, M. Francolini, S. Grimaudo, C. Rinaldi, P. Riva, M.G. Romanelli. Elementi di Biologia e Genetica (Ed. EdiSES)3) P. H. Raven, G. B. Johnson, K.A. Mason, J.B. Losos, S.R. Singer. Biologia cellulare (Ed. Piccin)

The course belongs to the basic Biomedical Sciences and is an essential foundation for understanding the molecular and cellular basis of the physiological and pathophysiological processes relevant to the health professions.
The course aims to provide students with the conceptual tools needed to:
• understand the structural and functional organization of the cell, its organelles and the extracellular matrix, relating them to fundamental physiological processes;
• describe the mechanisms of DNA replication, gene expression and cell division, identifying their implications in the diseases most frequently encountered in healthcare settings (neoplasms, genetic diseases, inflammatory and degenerative processes);
• relate basic biological knowledge to the pathophysiology and clinical practice of the different health professional profiles (nurse, physiotherapist, etc.).
The course credits (CFU) are distributed as follows: 20 hours of in-person lectures (DE), 30 hours of individual study.

The student must be in possession of basic concepts of chemistry, biology and genetics, such as those offered at the high school.

Teaching methods include: lectures, active learning in the classroom and at distance.
Classroom activities :
Lectures supported by presentations (ppt) with graphic illustrations, mind maps, optical and electronic microscopy photographs, animation films of cellular processes
Classroom activities with active student participation (representation of cellular processes, instant polls, termination of exercises).
Activities and online material (moodle):
Educational material presented in class.
Video recordings replacing the lectures
Quiz, forums and workshops for learning and self-assessment

Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or Special Educational Needs (SEN) may request dedicated services and tools by contacting the University's Career Development and Student Services Staff and consulting the relevant page on the University website. After contacting the University Staff, students may contact the course lecturer to agree on examination arrangements and teaching aspects.Attendance: attendance at in-person lectures is mandatory for all degree programmes (minimum 50% of hours, i.e. at least 10 out of 20 hours). Students who do not reach the minimum threshold are not admitted to the exam in the current session. Working students and students in particular situations (caregivers, etc.) are invited to contact the lecturer within the first week of class to agree on alternative arrangements, in accordance with University Regulations.Accessible materials: slide PDFs are provided in text format (not scanned); distance-learning video lessons include subtitles or transcripts.

EXAM FORMATThe exam consists of a written test with multiple-choice questions, lasting a total of 90 minutes for the three modules, each of which includes 25 questions.Students coming from other degree programs who have obtained recognition (validation) for one or more modules will not be required to answer the corresponding quiz questions; the time allotted will be reduced proportionally to the number of validated modules.Students must demonstrate that they have acquired the basic concepts of cell and molecular biology covered during lectures, to a level adequate for successfully tackling subsequent courses. A passing grade is achieved by answering at least 60% of the questions correctly in each module.SCHEDULE AND REGISTRATIONThe exam schedule is published on the University portal. Students should note that registration for exam sessions closes by the deadline indicated on the portal and is subject to completion of the teaching evaluation questionnaire.

The program is organized into 10 lecture-based Teaching Units of 2 hours each. The content is consistent with the learning objectives outlined above and avoids overlap with other courses within the Integrated Course.

UD_1: The cell: the fundamental unit of life.
Cell theory. Differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Cell size and methods of study: light and electron microscopy.
UD_2: Cell chemistry: water, salts and biological macromolecules.
Chemical-physical properties of water and its biological role. Ions and salts: ionic equilibria, pH and physiological buffers. Biological macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids: structure, function and clinical relevance.
UD_3: The nucleus and genetic material.
Structure of chromatin and the chromosome. DNA: double helix structure. Organization of the human genome. Telomeres and telomerase.
UD_4: DNA replication.
Semiconservative mechanism. Enzymes involved (DNA polymerase, helicase, ligase). Replication fidelity and error correction. Types of mutations. Mutagens and DNA repair systems.
UD_5: Gene expression: transcription and translation.
From gene to protein. RNA polymerase and transcription. Types of RNA. mRNA processing. Ribosomes and translation. The genetic code.
UD_6: Biological membranes and transport mechanisms.
The plasma membrane and the fluid mosaic model. Passive transport (simple and facilitated diffusion, osmosis). Active transport. Membrane potential.
UD_7: Structure and function of the eukaryotic cell.
Cell organelles: endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, peroxisomes, cytoskeleton. Endocytosis and exocytosis.
UD_8: Cellular energy metabolism.
Glycolysis. The mitochondrion: Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation. ATP as the energy currency.
UD_9: The cell cycle and cell division.
Phases of the cell cycle (G1, S, G2, M). Mitosis and checkpoints.
UD_10: From cells to tissues.
The extracellular matrix: collagen, fibronectin, laminin, proteoglycans. Cell junctions; clinical relevance (fibrosis, connective tissue disorders). Cell death: necrosis and apoptosis. Molecular basis of cancer.

Learning outcomes are structured according to the Dublin Descriptors and are consistent with the learning objectives of the Integrated Course in Biomedical Sciences reported in the SUA-CdS. For each outcome, the minimum passing level and the advanced level are indicated.Knowledge and understanding•       Describe the structural and functional organization of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, with particular reference to organelles and the extracellular matrix. [Minimum level: correctly identify and name at least 5 organelles and describe their main function. Advanced level: relate organelle structure to their molecular functions and to specific diseases.]•       Explain the fundamental mechanisms of DNA replication, gene expression (transcription and translation) and cell division (mitosis and meiosis). [Minimum level: describe the essential steps of each process and the key enzymes/molecules involved. Advanced level: explain control and error-correction mechanisms, relating them to repair systems and cell-cycle checkpoints.]•       Recognize the main cellular alterations (mutations, cell death, oncogenesis) underlying diseases of healthcare relevance. [Minimum level: distinguish between necrosis and apoptosis; classify the main types of mutation. Advanced level: explain the role of oncogenes and tumour suppressors in carcinogenesis.]Applying knowledge and understanding•       Relate basic biological concepts to pathophysiology and to the professional practice of the relevant profile (nurse, physiotherapist, biomedical laboratory technician). [Minimum level: provide at least one relevant clinical example for each of the three macro-areas of the syllabus. Advanced level: develop integrated reasoning linking cell biology to complex pathophysiological scenarios proposed by the lecturer.]•       Correctly use basic biomedical terminology in Italian and recognize its English equivalent. [Minimum level: appropriately use fundamental terms during oral presentation without systematic prompting from the lecturer. Advanced level: define and contextualize terms even when asked in-depth questions.]Making judgements•       Critically evaluate biological information from different sources (popular science articles, institutional websites, multimedia communications), distinguishing scientifically sound claims from those not supported by evidence. [This outcome is assessed through discussion of a case or scheme proposed during the exam.]Communication skills•       Present fundamental biological content clearly, in a structured manner and with appropriate language, answering the lecturer's questions orally. [Minimum level: understandable and substantially correct presentation, even if not always fluent. Advanced level: rigorous argumentation, precise use of terminology, ability to connect different topics.]Learning skills•       Independently consult the reference textbooks and the open access resources indicated in the syllabus to deepen understanding, clarify doubts, or keep up to date on biological topics of professional interest.