Structural Biology of the Cell
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course objectives are the knowledge of the cellular mechanisms that regulate survival, proliferation and differentiation of eukaryotic cells, both animal and vegetal. Students will gain competences in understanding experiments and concepts related to the general field of cell biology and the ability to understand modern technologies of relevance to cell biology.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course the student will be have built a strong background in the key cellular mechanisms controlling plant and animal differentiation and knowledge of the experimental approaches that are in different cellular model systems including cutting-edge technologies, and will have learned how to critically evaluate experimental data, and plan simple projects, approaching biological questions with a problem-solving attitude.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Classes will be held online via Microsoft Teams, synchronously or asynchronously. There will be weekly online sessions dedicated to student questions, discussion and insights on various topics. Recorded lessons will be made available on Ariel and on the MS Team group.
Written exams will be carried out in person with the possibility of taking the exam online (oral) for those who have reasonable justifications and are not able to attend in person.
The exam aims to:
- ascertain whether the course objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding have been met;
- ascertain the ability to apply knowledge through the discussion of the topics covered during classes;
- verify the appropriate use of scientific language relating to the field of genetics and the ability to present the topics in a clear and logical way, with the necessary links to the content of other courses of the degree course.
Written exams will be carried out in person with the possibility of taking the exam online (oral) for those who have reasonable justifications and are not able to attend in person.
The exam aims to:
- ascertain whether the course objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding have been met;
- ascertain the ability to apply knowledge through the discussion of the topics covered during classes;
- verify the appropriate use of scientific language relating to the field of genetics and the ability to present the topics in a clear and logical way, with the necessary links to the content of other courses of the degree course.
Course syllabus
The course will approach cell biology both from the perspective of the animal and the vegetal cell. During the lectures the following arguments will be dealt with: principles regulating actin filament (AFs) and microtubule (MTs) dynamics; the specific roles of AFs and MTs in plant cells with respect to animal cells; MT dynamics as the major determinant of cell wall structure and plant cell shape; protein complexes involved in MT nucleation (model of dispersed MTOcs) and MT dynamics in isodiametrically and tip growing cells; cell Biology in the laboratory; imaging technology and the cytoskeleton; structure and relevance of the cytoskeleton in disease and diagnostics; unconventional signaling through cellular shape; disease and target-oriented cell biology and the functional analysis of gene function by cell biology (data discussion).
Prerequisites for admission
The course deals with topics of advanced cell biology, therefore a basic preparation in molecular biology and cytology is highly advised.
Teaching methods
Powerpoint-assisted lectures. The active participation of the student will be stimulated by scientific questions and discussions of specific topics during class, thus lecture attendance is highly preferred.
Teaching Resources
Lecture presentations, scientific articles and other teaching resources will be provided via the course Ariel website and refer to newly published sources. For a general textbook of Cell Biology the following is suugested: Cell Biology 3rd Edition, ELSEVIER, Editors Pollard, Earnshaw, Lippincott-Schwarts & Johnson (the book is not mandatory).
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students will be evaluated by a written exam consisting of multiple choice questions (25%), open questions (25%), recognition of structures (25%) and the conceptual elaboration of a scientific problem of cell biology (25%). During the course, past exam examples will be provided. Evaluation criteria are based on the verification of acquired skills (10/30), reasoning ability (10/30) and clarity of the answers (10/30).
BIO/01 - GENERAL BOTANY
BIO/06 - COMPARATIVE ANATOMY AND CYTOLOGY
BIO/06 - COMPARATIVE ANATOMY AND CYTOLOGY
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Biffo Stefano, Ezquer Garin Juan Ignacio
Professor(s)
Reception:
previo appuntamento richiesto per e-mail