Ateneo - UPO

Module 1 - Eukaryotic Cell Biology
The module provides the foundations of cell and molecular biology needed to understand physiological and pathophysiological processes relevant to biotechnology. Topics include: cell chemistry 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 organisation of genetic material and DNA replication; the cell cycle and cell division (mitosis and meiosis); gene expression (transcription and translation); the regulation of gene expression, mutations and the molecular basis of the main cell pathologies. The module also includes 8 compulsory online hours on biological laboratory safety, delivered by an external provider, required for access to the second-year teaching laboratories.
Module 2 - Histology
The module describes the main histological techniques (fixation and staining of tissues on slides) and the tissues of the human body in terms of their morphology, location and function, with particular attention to the principal cell types that compose them.

Modulo 1 - Biologia della Cellula Eucariota
• Alberts, Hopkin, et al. - Essenziale di Biologia Molecolare della Cellula - ed. Zanichelli
• Ginelli, Malcovati - Molecole, Cellule e Organismi - ed. EdiSES
• Geoffrey M. Cooper - La Cellula. Un approccio molecolare - ed. Piccin
Modulo 2 - Istologia
• Wheather - Istologia e Anatomia Microscopica - Edra (2025)
• Stevens e Lowe - Istologia Umana. Testo atlante di istologia e anatomia microscopica - CEA (2008)
• A. Mescher - Junqueira Istologia. Testo e atlante - Piccin (2020)
• Monesi - Istologia - Piccin (2026)
• Pawlina - Istologia. Testo e atlante con elementi di biologia cellulare e molecolare - CEA (2026)
• Belmonte, Angelucci, Follenzi, Tamagnone - Istologia Umana - Idelson Gnocchi (2025)

The integrated course contributes to the morpho-functional training objectives of the Degree Course in Biotechnology, providing knowledge and applied skills at cellular and tissue level that underpin all other biological courses and are relevant to professional practice and further graduate studies.
Module 1 (Eukaryotic Cell Biology) aims to provide the conceptual tools to understand the structural and functional organisation of the cell, its organelles and the extracellular matrix in relation to fundamental physiological processes; to describe the mechanisms of DNA replication, gene expression and cell division, identifying their implications in the most common clinical pathologies; and to relate basic biological knowledge to pathophysiology and clinical practice.
Module 2 (Histology) aims to give students an in-depth understanding of the different tissues of the human body, the link between their structure and function, and the main cell types that compose them, as well as the ability to recognise human histological preparations.

Module 1: basic knowledge of chemistry, biology and genetics, of the kind taught in upper secondary school.
Module 2: knowledge of eukaryotic cell biology (Module 1 content), which is a prerequisite for the study of histology.

Module 1 - Eukaryotic Cell Biology
• Lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations, graphic illustrations, mind maps, light- and electron-microscopy photographs, videos and animations of cellular processes
• Classroom activities with active student participation (representation of cellular processes, instant polls, exercises)
• Online material and activities on Moodle: course material, recorded lecture substitutes, quizzes, forums, workshops and optional in-depth material
Module 2 - Histology
• Classroom lectures with PowerPoint presentations (uploaded to DIR)
• Guided in-class observation of online histological preparations

Students can ask questions and find study support through the course forum on Moodle (Module 1); sample exam questions are provided in the online activities on Moodle. For Module 2, presentations are available on DIR.
Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD/DSA) or Special Educational Needs (BES) may request dedicated services and tools by contacting the University's Career Development and Student Services Staff and consulting the dedicated page of the University website (https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studenti-disabili-e-dsa). After contacting the University Staff, they may contact the module lecturer to agree on exam arrangements and teaching aspects.
Working students or those otherwise unable to attend classes are invited to contact the Module 1 lecturer to determine how to achieve the expected competences.

Module 1 - Eukaryotic Cell Biology
• Online monitoring: tracked activities on Moodle (videos, animations, self-assessment and verification quizzes, forums, workshops), with automatic monitoring of each student's progress
• Mid-term assessment: optional (recommended) test on the Module 1 syllabus, consisting of a written test (40 minutes, 40 multiple-choice questions, pass mark 60%) and an oral exam, compulsory for those who pass the written test, to confirm the grade; the score contributes to the average of the final grade
• Final exam: multiple-choice written test lasting 60 minutes overall for the two modules; the Biology part consists of 25 questions to be completed in 25 minutes; the pass mark is 60% correct answers in each module
Module 2 - Histology
• Written exam with 35-40 multiple-choice questions (single correct answer), taken on a computer device with mandatory use of Safe Exam Browser; compulsory registration through the dedicated University website; only correct answers count towards the grade
The final grade of the Integrated Course is obtained by passing both modules (minimum threshold 60% in each), with tests administered through the Moodle/DIR platforms. The exam and mid-term test calendar is published on the University portal; registration for exam sessions closes by the date indicated and is subject to completion of the teaching evaluation questionnaire.

Module 1 - Eukaryotic Cell Biology
• Definition of living organism and cell; structure and organisation of the eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell
• Cell chemistry: water and biological macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids)
• Cell compartments and biological membranes: membrane lipids, bilayer vs. micelle organisation, membrane fluidity, membrane proteins, the fluid mosaic model (Singer and Nicolson), Frye and Edidin experiments
• Membrane transport mechanisms: simple and facilitated diffusion, active transport, channel and carrier proteins, the glucose transporter, the Na+/K+ ATPase pump, antiport and symport, voltage- and ligand-gated channels, membrane potential and action potential
• Mitochondria and ATP synthesis: glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, the Krebs cycle, the electron transport chain, the mitochondrial genome, Lynn Margulis's endosymbiotic hypothesis, protein import into mitochondria
• The peroxisome
• Rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus; synthesis of membrane and secretory proteins, Gunter Blobel's signal hypothesis, glycosylation and maturation in the Golgi, vesicular trafficking
• Exocytosis; protein targeting mechanisms (signal sequences, Kalderon and colleagues' experiments)
• Endocytosis: pinocytosis, phagocytosis, receptor-mediated endocytosis
• Degradation of biological macromolecules: the lysosome and the proteasome
• The cytoskeleton: actin/myosin microfilaments, intermediate filaments, microtubules, muscle contraction
• The cell cycle and mitosis: G1, S, G2, M phases; cyclins and CDKs; discovery of cyclins (Tim Hunt)
• Cell death and apoptosis: cellular senescence (Hayflick's experiments), necrosis, apoptosis (intrinsic and extrinsic pathways)
• From cells to tissues: the extracellular matrix (collagens, laminins, fibronectins, proteoglycans), integrins and cadherins, cell junctions (adherens, tight, gap junctions, desmosomes), cell communication (autocrine, paracrine, endocrine)
• Flow of genetic information: definition of a gene in the ENCODE era; DNA replication (Meselson and Stahl experiment); transcription and RNA maturation (Sharp and Roberts experiments, splicing); the genetic code and translation (Nirenberg, Matthaei and Leder experiments; the ribosome; Marilyn Kozak's linear scanning hypothesis)
Module 2 - Histology
• Histological preparations: dehydration, fixation, sectioning and staining
• Epithelial tissues: cell polarisation, cytoplasmic and surface specialisations, classification and structure, cytoskeleton, cell junctions, basement membrane, integumentary system
• Exocrine glandular epithelia: structure, classification, secretory specialisations; histology of salivary glands, Brunner's glands, exocrine pancreas
• Endocrine glandular epithelia: hormonal signalling and tissue homeostasis, the hypothalamic-pituitary axis; histology of pancreatic islets, thyroid, adrenal gland, Leydig cells
• Connective tissues: components and functions of the extracellular matrix, cells and their relationship with the matrix, classification
• Blood: plasma, serum, cells; structure, lifespan and function, the leukocyte differential count
• Haematopoiesis: stem cells and multipotent precursors, haemocatheresis, bone marrow histology
• Lymphatic tissues: structure and organisation of the lymphatic system, classification of lymphocytes and membrane markers, lymphopoiesis; histology of the thymus, spleen and lymph nodes
• Cartilage and bone tissue: mechanical functions and metabolic homeostasis, ossification, growth, remodelling
• White and brown adipose tissue
• Muscle tissue: skeletal, smooth, cardiac; membrane, structure, cytoskeletal and metabolic specialisations; mechanism and regulation of contraction
• Blood vessels: structure, capillaries and sinusoids
• Nervous tissue: ultrastructural specialisations of neurons, axonal transport, electrical membrane properties, synapses and the neuromuscular junction, myelination, grey and white matter, glial cells
• Tissue homeostasis: differentiation, maintenance and renewal of tissues, adult stem cells; oogenesis and spermatogenesis, histology of the ovary and testis

D1 - Knowledge and understanding
Students must demonstrate adequate knowledge of: the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; the relationship between the chemical composition and function of biological macromolecules; cell structures, the function of organelles and of the endomembrane and cytoskeletal systems; the Central Dogma of Biology and the relationship between genes and proteins; the processes of DNA replication, transcription and translation in eukaryotes; the different tissues of the human body, the link between their structure and function, and the main cells that compose them.
D2 - Applying knowledge and understanding
Students must be able to use the knowledge and concepts acquired to reason critically, to connect topics across cell biology and histology, to analyse biological experiments, and to recognise and describe a human tissue by observing a histological preparation, relating cell morphology to function.
D3 - Making judgements
Students must be able to critically examine the information acquired and independently discuss applied questions and problems, as well as constructively evaluate the teaching delivered.
D4 - Communication skills
Students must be able to communicate the knowledge acquired to peers and teachers using the terminology proper to cell biology and histology.
D5 - Learning skills
Students must demonstrate the learning skills necessary for the continuous updating of their knowledge in these disciplines.