Name of module: GENERAL AND CELL BIOLOGY (Applied biology)
Lecturer: ZOPPI NICOLETTA
Language(s) of instruction: Italian
Course contents:
* The biology central dogma. DNA, RNA, Proteins structure and function. Gene structure
* RNA synthesis and maturation.
* The genetic code: deciferation and properties. Point mutations and their impact on the codons
information and on the protein. Translation.
* Semiconservative DNA replication. Introduction to DNA repair mechanisms. DNA organization:from
chromatin to chromosome.
* The cells: prokaryote, eukaryote, animal and vegetal: structural and functional diversity. Molecular
structure and function of the cytoplamic organelles (eukaryote cells): Mitochondria,nucleous and nuclear
membrane, cytoskeleton and plasma membrane. Mechanism of action of plasma membrane receptors. The
signal transduction.Cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesion.
* Mitosis and meiosis. The cell cycle and its regulation. The programmed cell death.
* Cancer cells. Proto-oncogenes and onco-suppressor genes.
* Viruses: structure and interaction with the cells. Phages and animal viruses.
* Gene expression control in prokaryotes. Gene expression regulation in eukaryotes: signals, mechanisms
and levels.
* Cell differentiation in embryogenesis and in the adult life. Maintenance of the adult differentiated
state. Stem cells examples: bone marrow and keratinocytes.
* Principles of animal cell in vitro growth. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies allow the study of cell
structures and protein components by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting analyses. Nucleic acids
purification.The RNA analysis methods: Northen blotting, in situ hybridization, RT-PCR.
Learning outcomes of the course:
The students will be acquainted with basic notions on the molecular and cellular structure of living beings
which will allow the comprehension of biological mechanisms, with a focus on the genetic information
conservation and expression in different embryonic and adult cells. Introduce students to historical
experiments which allowed the comprehension of macromolecules function and interactions in biological
processes. Introduce students to the basic experimental methodologies for the analysis of molecules and,
in particular, of protein either purified or organized in cellular structures.
Prerequisites and co-requisites: Basic know-how in cell and tissue biology
Planned learning activities and teaching methods:
Ex cathedra lectures
Theoretical and practical exercises in the laboratory
Recommended or required readings:
..
Lodish et al. Molecular Biology of the cell
..
Fantoni et al. Biologia cellulare e genetica Piccin
¨
Solomon et al. Fondamenti di Biologia Edises, Napoli
¨
Becker et al. Il mondo della cellula Pearson
¨
Alberts et al. L'essenziale della biologia molecolare della cellula Zanichelli
Assessment methods and criteria:
Test in the first session in february.
Test or oral examination in the other sessions.
Contacts:
Nicoletta Zoppi
e-mail: [email protected]
DMMT Students’ Office
Cristina Mazzi [email protected]
Arianna Fabi [email protected]
ph: +39-030- 371-7204 -7333