Ateneo - UPO

- Human complexity and genomics: the role of gene expression control, hints of comparative genomics.
- Molecular basis of epigenetics: structure and regulation of chromatin.
- Transcription regulation.
- RNA maturation and post-transcriptional control. - Non-coding RNAs.
- Cancer, oncogenes and tumor suppressors.

- Watson et al. "Biologia Molecolare del gene" VII (ed. Zanichelli)
- Alberts et al. “Biologia Molecolare della Cellula” VI (ed. Zanichelli)
- Allison et al. "Fondamenti di biologia molecolare." (ed. Zanichelli)
- Lewin “Il gene X”, (ed. Zanichelli)
- Amaldi et al. “Biologia Molecolare”, third edition (ed. Ambrosiana)

Provide basic knowledge of molecular biology with a focus for eukaryotic organisms and with particular reference to human bio-medical applications, their research perspectives and the understanding of the major cellular processes in a living cell.

General knowledge of cellular biology.

PowerPoint presentation of the classes. Discussion of scientific articles provided by the instructor.

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.

Written exam, with multiple choice or open questions.

Introduction to molecular biology.
- The genomic basis of complexity: the role of gene expression control, comparative genomics.
- The human genome project: description and main results.
- Molecular basis of epigenetics: structure and regulation of chromatin,
- Structure of nucleosomes and organization of chromatin.
- Histones and their modifications (acetylation, methylation, de- methylation, phosphorylation).
- Mechanisms of histone remodeling and chromatin modifications and their role in the regulation of gene expression. Bromodomain and chromodomain. Role and examples of histone modifying enzymes: histone acetyl transferase (HAT), histone deacetylase, histone demethylases. Histone remodeling complexes.
- Examples of epigenetic therapy and epigenetic diseases.
- DNA methylation: biological significance, role of DNA methyl- transferase, mechanisms by which DNA methylation regulates gene expression.
Transcription regulation
- Transcription and regulation in eukaryotes: RNA polymerase II, promoter structure, Pol II basal factors and initiation complex assembly.
- Recognition mechanisms of transcription initiation sites: TATA box and formation of transcription initiation complexes.
- Role of transcription regulatory sequences and factors that regulate transcription (transcription factors and their modular and dimeric organization).
- Role of interactions between transcription factors and chromatin remodeling and histone modification complexes in transcription regulation. Examples.
- Mechanisms of transcription repression.
- Different strategies for regulating the function of transcription activators. Examples (NF-kB)
- The structural classes of transcription factors: helix-loop-helix (homeogenic), helix-turn-helix (Myc / MAx / Mad), Leucine zipper (Jun-Fos, CREB, NFAT), zinc fingers (receptors for glucocorticoids, estrogens, retinoic acid). For each class: structural elements and mechanisms of interaction with DNA, regulation of function, hints on function and regulated genes.

RNA maturation and post-transcriptional control
- Meaning of capping and polyadenylation of transcripts. Notes on capping, polyadenylation and mRNA termination mechanisms.
- The discontinuous nature of genes and the significance of splicing.
- The spliceosome and the molecular mechanisms of splicing. Alternative splicing
- Regulation of splice site recognition: ESE / ISE and ESS / ISS sequences. SR proteins (containing RRS domains) and hRNPs proteins in the regulation of splicing.
- Examples of pathologies caused by mutations deregulating splicing.
- Mechanisms of mRNA editing.
- Notes on the regulation of transport and localization of mRNAs.

Non-coding RNAs and Micro-RNA: gene structure, transcription and maturation, role of Dicer and RISC proteins, different mechanisms of gene expression regulation (transcription, mRNA stability and translation).
- Impact of the discovery of microRNAs in the study of gene function, in tumors and clinical perspectives.
- short-interfering RNAs; use in basic research and in the clinic.
- role of microRNAs in tumor-oncogenes and tumor suppressors (Myc and p53 as examples).

The student must have a basic knowledge of molecular biology for human cells, in particular with respect to medical interest. Must be able to independently read and understand research articles in the field of molecular biology, with references to biomedical applications, in particular relating to cancer. Finally, the student must be able to pass a written molecular biology exam composed by multiple choice and open questions.