Genetics

A.Y. 2023/2024
8
Max ECTS
76
Overall hours
SSD
BIO/18
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course main goal is providing the student with the basic knowledge on how genetic information is used to produce the phenotype and inherited through the generations, in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. It also provides information on the structure and changes of the hereditary material from a molecular standpoint, emphasizing the evolutionary implications of those changes. The student will understand the basic principles of population genetics and the role they play in the evolution and differentiation of species.
Expected learning outcomes
Students are going to acquire a basic knowledge of the analysis of Mendelian genetic traits and will develop skills in the construction of genetic maps and about the necessary tools to correlate mutations in genes and genomes with effects at the level of the gene product and the phenotype.
Moreover, the student will acquire knowledge concerning the molecular mechanisms leading to mutations and she/he will be able to evaluate the effect of those mutations on the phenotype of an individual and on how they might affect its fitness.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
- Physical basis of inheritance. Chromosomes, mitosis, meiosis and biological cycles of eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Cell cycle. Identification of DNA as genetic material. Structure and replication of DNA.
- Trait transmission. Mendelian inheritance: segregation and independent trait assortment. Multiple alleles. Statistical processing of Mendelian segregation. Analysis of Mendelian inheritance in humans: family trees. Blood grouping and of paternity tests. Sex-related inheritance. Genetic determination of sex.
- Chromosomal theory of inheritance, linkage and recombination. Meiotic crossing-over. Genes mapping in diploid organisms. Map distance and genetic map construction.
- Function of the gene: metabolic pathways and hypothesis a gene-an enzyme. Gene interaction. Genetic complementation. Intragenic recombination.
- Genetics of microorganisms: haploid bacteria. Mutants in bacteria and their selection.
- Plasmids. Factor F and its characteristics. Factor F' and construction of partial diploids.
- Cloning vectors and techniques.
- Transcription into prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Structure of the prokaryotes and eukaryotes gene. RNA maturation in eukaryotes.
- Protein synthesis, genetic code and its characteristics.
- Changes in genome structure. Gene mutations: molecular basis of mutations and their frequency. Reversion and suppression of mutations.
- Chromosome mutations: deletions, duplications, inversions and translocations.
- Genomic mutations: euploidy and aneuploidy. Autopolyploidy and allopolyploidy.
- Mutagens, induced mutation and DNA repair mechanisms.
- Positive and negative gene regulation in prokaryotes.
- Population genetics. Genetic structure of populations. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Variation of gene frequencies: mutation, selection, migration and genetic drift.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of biology and of the principles of statistics
Teaching methods
The course consists of lectures and theoretical exercises. The frontal lessons will be accompanied by the projection of slides and short videos. Theoretical exercises will aim at giving further support to the students to understand the topics treated in the lessons, through the resolution of genetic problems.
Course and exercise material will be made available through the Ariel platform.
Teaching Resources
· Binelli & Ghisotti + AA.VV. Genetica, Edises (2017)
· Snustad e Simmons, Principi di Genetica, EdiSes, 5 ed. 2014
· Russell, Genetica, Un approccio molecolare, Pearson, 4 ed. 2014
· Griffith et al. Genetica, 7° ed. Zanichelli 2013
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is designed to assess the student's ability to apply the knowledge learned during the course. The exam consists of a written test containing multiple choice questions and genetic problems with elements of theory to be solved. The questions cover the entire subject matter of the course, and the time available is 1.5-2 hours.
Students attending the course can divide the exam into two parts: the first part, which takes place in the middle of the course, evaluates the knowledge acquired in formal genetics; the second part, which must be taken during one of the exams of the February session, concerns the topics covered in the second half of the course. The final grade will be the average of the two parts, provided that both have received sufficient grades.
Any additional information about the examination and grading methods will be explained at the beginning of the course.
BIO/18 - GENETICS - University credits: 8
Practicals: 24 hours
Lessons: 52 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Upon email request
2nd floor, C building, Dept. of Biosciences
Reception:
Upon appointment
V floor Tower A, Via Celoria 26