Ateneo - UPO

The control of gene expression: transcriptional regulation 2. The control of gene expression: post-transcriptional regulation 3. Techniques for the analysis of transcriptional regulation 4. Main applications and implications of recombinant DNA technology 5. Analysis of gene expression and introduction to bioinformatics

Lewis, Krebs, Goldstein, Kilpatrick Genes X o later editions Alberts, Johnson, Lewis, Morgan, Raff, Roberts, Walter Molecular biology of the cell Watson, Baker, Bell, Gann, Levine, Losick Molecular biology of the gene Brown Molecular Biotechnology

The aims of the course are:
-raise the level of knowledge
-study of the fundamental aspects of Molecular Biology
-develop students' reasoning skills
-introduce students to problem solving.

To be able to follow the course effectively and profitably, it would be necessary to have passed the exams of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I.

Lessons in the classroom supported by the projection of films aimed at helping the learning process. Development of classroom problems involving the use of concepts and tools illustrated during lectures. Practise. To help students in their study and preparation for the final exam, deliveries will be assigned during the course which will contribute to a minimal part of the final grade. The level of knowledge and in-depth study of the topics covered and the reasoning skills developed by the student will be evaluated.

Test of ongoing learning, through interactive tests in the classroom using the Wooclap platform. Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services students-physical-or-learning- disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The exam includes a written test lasting 120 minutes and will consist of multiple choice and open questions. In the open-ended questions, the content, the reasoning skills acquired, but also the property of language and the ability to synthesize will be evaluated. The test is passed with a grade of 18 and scores over 31 guarantee honors. It will be given the opportunity to take an oral to improve the grade obtained with the written test.

1. Control of gene expression, transcriptional regulation • Review of the basic concepts of transcriptional regulation in prokaryotes • Review of the basic concepts of transcriptional regulation in eukaryotes • Chromatin and Activators • Transcriptional coactivators and corepressors • Enhanceosome • Transcriptional regulation of complex programs: the development of Drosophila and circadian regulation. • Genome and epigenome: • Epigenetic modifications: covalent modifications of histones, the histone code • Epigenetic modifications: DNA methylation 2. The control of post-transcriptional gene expression • Coordination between transcription, maturation and RNA transport: the gene expression factory • RNA and microRNA interference: physiological and pathological functions • Other coding RNAs. I long non coding RNAs 3. Techniques for the analysis of transcriptional regulation • Reporter assays • Analysis of promoters by deletion • EMSA essays • Chromatin Immuniprecipitation Assay • Analysis of the positioning of nucleosomes 4. Main applications and implications of recombinant DNA technology • Characterization of genes • Production of recombinant proteins • Production of recombinant antigens and DNA vaccines • Gene therapy 5. Analysis of gene expression and hints of bioinformatics • Northern and western blotting • Reverse-transcription- (RT) -PCR • Real time PCR • Ribonuclease protection assay • In situ hybridization • Microarrays • NGS sequencing techniques • Sequence alignment: classification, scoring systems, exact and heuristic algorithms • Algorithms of progressive multiple alignment Positional Weight Matrices and analysis of binding sites of transcription factors Gene expression analysis: class comparison. Gene expression analysis: class discovery. Ontologies and functional annotation of the genome.
6. “Integrating the gender dimension”: An interactive classroom lesson and discussion on the topic of “Women in Science”—examining their contributions and how their entry into the scientific world has impacted their integration into society.

The course supports students in developing a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of molecular biology, promoting active and reflective learning of the mechanisms that regulate cellular and molecular processes.
Through lectures, exercises, and applied activities, each student will be guided to apply acquired knowledge to the analysis, interpretation, and solution of problems in biological and molecular contexts, thereby enhancing problem-solving skills and transferable competences.
The course encourages students to cultivate independent judgment, enabling them to critically assess experimental data and scientific sources and to formulate well-reasoned interpretations.
Special attention is given to strengthening communication skills, both written and oral, through the preparation of scientific texts and presentations, fostering the ability to communicate scientific concepts clearly and appropriately.
Finally, the course promotes the development of autonomous learning abilities, allowing students to successfully pursue further studies and continuously update their knowledge and skills in the field of biological and molecular sciences.