Ateneo - UPO

The course aims to provide the fundamentals of DNA replication, repair, and transcription, the molecular mechanisms of translation and gene expression regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, as well as a comprehensive overview of the key methodological and biotechnological techniques in molecular biology.

- Watson J.D. et al., "Biologia molecolare del gene”, Zanichelli, 8° edizione italiana. - Alberts B. et al., "Biologia Molecolare della Cellula", Zanichelli, 7° edizione italiana. - Amaldi F. et al., "Biologia Molecolare", Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 3° edizione. - Allison L.A., "Fondamenti di biologia molecolare", Zanichelli, 2° edizione italiana.

The student acquires: 1) Knowledge and understanding of the molecular mechanisms of DNA duplication, of transcription and translation into eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and the basic molecular biology techniques. 2) Ability to use these principles in courses of physiology, pathology and other more specialized courses, also practice, that involve molecular knowledge of biological processes involving DNA, RNA and proteins. With the practical activity, he will experience the main techniques employed for RNA extraction, RT-PCR amplification and subsequent electrophoretic analysis. 3) Communication skills about the use of an appropriate vocabulary in relation to the topics covered during the course.

The teacher does not advise to address the study of matter without the appropriate culture provided by the chemistry, citology and histology, genetic and biochemistry. The student should also have a property of language and scientific mastery.

Lessons in class, practice in class and laboratory sessions.

The slides projected by the teacher during the lesson are available in the DIR section (Molecular Biology I). The informations about the time organization (days and times) of the laboratory practice activity will be given during the course. At the end of the laboratory practice activity, the results obtained will be discussed and analyzed. To access the laboratory session, the attendance of the dedicated lesson is mandatory. The teacher responds to the e-mails signed and coming from the domain name.surname@uniupo.it. 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 purpose of the exam is to verify the level of knowledge into all the subjects present in the course program and the reasoning capacity developed by the student. The exam consists in a written test with both multiple-choice (22 questions, 1 point each) and open questions(2 questions, 5 point each). A score of 18 or more is required to pass the exam. During the test is not possibile to consult any type of material.

Nucleic acids, chemical and physical structures. DNA topology. Chromatin, nucleosomes and histones. DNA replication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. DNA polymesares: structure and their mechanism of action. The replisome. Proof reading activity and effect of DNA damage. Topoisomerases. DNA repair systems: direct repair, excision repair, mismatch-repair and recombination repair. Telomeres and telomerase. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA transcription. RNA polymerases. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene organization. Initiation of transcription. General factors and basal transcription apparatus. Eukariotic RNA processing. Introns and splicing. Alternative splicing. Catalytic RNA. RNA editing. Global eukariotic regulation of gene expression. Regulatory transcription factors and molecular mechanisms of transcription regulation. RNA interference. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic traslation mechanisms. Ribosomal RNA and ribosome structure. The genetic code. tRNA structure. Codon-anticodon recognition, wobbling. AAtRNA synthetase and their mechanism of action. IF and their regulation. Elongation and EF. Termination of protein synthesis. Post-translational modifications. CRISPR revolution. The omics sciences: genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics. Laboratory of biology molecular (theory). Molecular cloning: restriction enzymes, ligase and transformation. Cloning and expression vectors. Library construction and screening. Analysis of nucleic acid fragments and protein expression. DNA sequencing and PCR (end-point and quantitative). Practice: RNA purification, end-point RT-PCR and gel electrophoresis.

1) Knowledge and understanding: the student will know a) the molecular mechanisms of DNA duplication, of transcription and translation into eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and b) the basic molecular biology techniques. 2) Skills: the student will be able to use the information acquired in all disciplines that require knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of DNA duplication and transcription and of translation into eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Furthermore, the theoretical bases of molecular biology techniques will help the student in laboratory activities involving the use of these techniques. In particular he will be familiar with main techniques employed for the extraction of RNA, its amplification by PCR. Furthermore, the theoretical bases of molecular biology techniques will help the student in laboratory activities involving the use of these techniques. 3) Autonomy of judgment: the student will acquire the ability to critically analyze the elements linked to the molecular mechanisms about the DNA duplication, transcription and translation in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and b) to the basic techniques of molecular biology. 4) Communication skills: the student will known and will use an appropriate vocabulary in relation to molecular mechanisms of the cell. 5) Learning skills: the student will acquire the ability to use the teaching material provided for a critical and reasoned study of the topics and also he will be able to deepen and update independently, through reading texts and scientific articles, issues related to all topics covered during the course.