Molecular Biology and Evolution of Genomes
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide solid basic knowledge of molecular biology and bioinformatics that will allow students to understand with an adequate level of detail the main known molecular mechanisms underlying cellular life, with particular emphasis on the transmission and processing of information genetics. Alongside the discussion of the processes of transcription, translation, replication and DNA repair, a part of the course will be devoted to examples of molecular mechanisms regulating transcription and translation. Another objective of the course is the understanding of the evolution of genomes and the quantitative methods used to analyze it.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will acquire:
- ability to understand the complexity of the information flow from the gene to the protein.
- ability to understand and interpret data related to biomolecular processes studied with large-scale approaches.
- ability to face, during subsequent studies, the continuous developments of molecular biology, a discipline in constant expansion.
- ability to transfer knowledge of molecular biology to related problems in the naturalistic field.
- ability to understand the complexity of the information flow from the gene to the protein.
- ability to understand and interpret data related to biomolecular processes studied with large-scale approaches.
- ability to face, during subsequent studies, the continuous developments of molecular biology, a discipline in constant expansion.
- ability to transfer knowledge of molecular biology to related problems in the naturalistic field.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Introduction to Molecular Biology
Structure and properties of biological molecules
DNA
RNA
Protein
Carbohydrates
Lipids
DNA replication
Primary, secondary and higher order organization of chromatin. The nucleosome: composition and structure. Remodeling of nucleosomes and histone modifications.
Replication origins
Proteins involved in replication
Regulation of replication
Gene expression
Mechanisms of transcription in prokaryotes: beginning, lengthening and term.
Bacterial RNA polymerase. Promoters and their structure. The sigma factors. Regulation at the transcriptional level in prokaryotes (the Lac operon). The termination of rho-dependent and independent transcription.
The mechanisms of transcription in eukaryotes: RNA polymerase I, II and III. The transcriptional mechanism operated by RNA polymerase II. The structure of a eukaryotic promoter. The basal transcriptional apparatus and the elements of the "core" promoter. Eukaryotic transcriptional activators: modular structure and function.
Pre-mRNA maturation: capping, splicing and polyadenylation. Splicing mechanism of nuclear pre-mRNAs.
Protein synthesis
Characteristics of ribosomes. Characteristics of tRNAs. Activation of amino acids. Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases. The phenomenon of staggering.
How to start protein synthesis in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
The stages of protein synthesis in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Introduction to post-translational modifications of proteins.
Bioinformatics:
Basics of nucleotide and protein sequence analysis (available databases, alignment, phylogenetics and comparative phylogenetics); designing specific primer for PCR amplification; genome and transcriptome sequencing; genome assembly, identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms and structural variants; differential gene expression analysis with RNA-seq. Basics of metagenome analysis.
Structure and properties of biological molecules
DNA
RNA
Protein
Carbohydrates
Lipids
DNA replication
Primary, secondary and higher order organization of chromatin. The nucleosome: composition and structure. Remodeling of nucleosomes and histone modifications.
Replication origins
Proteins involved in replication
Regulation of replication
Gene expression
Mechanisms of transcription in prokaryotes: beginning, lengthening and term.
Bacterial RNA polymerase. Promoters and their structure. The sigma factors. Regulation at the transcriptional level in prokaryotes (the Lac operon). The termination of rho-dependent and independent transcription.
The mechanisms of transcription in eukaryotes: RNA polymerase I, II and III. The transcriptional mechanism operated by RNA polymerase II. The structure of a eukaryotic promoter. The basal transcriptional apparatus and the elements of the "core" promoter. Eukaryotic transcriptional activators: modular structure and function.
Pre-mRNA maturation: capping, splicing and polyadenylation. Splicing mechanism of nuclear pre-mRNAs.
Protein synthesis
Characteristics of ribosomes. Characteristics of tRNAs. Activation of amino acids. Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases. The phenomenon of staggering.
How to start protein synthesis in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
The stages of protein synthesis in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Introduction to post-translational modifications of proteins.
Bioinformatics:
Basics of nucleotide and protein sequence analysis (available databases, alignment, phylogenetics and comparative phylogenetics); designing specific primer for PCR amplification; genome and transcriptome sequencing; genome assembly, identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms and structural variants; differential gene expression analysis with RNA-seq. Basics of metagenome analysis.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of chemistry and genetics is required
Teaching methods
Teaching Methods
Frontal teaching with a high level of teacher interaction supported by projected teaching material which is available to students from a dedicated website. Extensive discussions to allow development of critical faculties and encourage constructive individual involvement in the teaching/learning process.
Language
Italian
Program information
Additional information available through direct contact with the teachers. The lessons in pdf format will be available on the ARIEL website of the teachers.
WEBsite
ARIEL website of the teachers.
Frontal teaching with a high level of teacher interaction supported by projected teaching material which is available to students from a dedicated website. Extensive discussions to allow development of critical faculties and encourage constructive individual involvement in the teaching/learning process.
Language
Italian
Program information
Additional information available through direct contact with the teachers. The lessons in pdf format will be available on the ARIEL website of the teachers.
WEBsite
ARIEL website of the teachers.
Teaching Resources
Watson J.D., Baker T.A., Bell S.P., Gann A., Levine M., Losick R. Biologia Molecolare del gene. Zanichelli, terza edizione
Amaldi-Benedetti-Pesole-Plevani, Biologia Molecolare-terza edizione CEA
Bioinformatics: book chapters, research and review articles concerning the topics dealt with during lectures will be suggested.
Amaldi-Benedetti-Pesole-Plevani, Biologia Molecolare-terza edizione CEA
Bioinformatics: book chapters, research and review articles concerning the topics dealt with during lectures will be suggested.
Assessment methods and Criteria
At the end of the course the student must enroll in one of the scheduled sessions. The verification of the students' preparation consists of a written exam structured in multiple choice questions and open questions. Assessment parameters: the student's knowledge, his/her logic and reasoning skills will be assessed. Method of communicating the results: following official reporting of the results, the students will receive an e-mail from the system in which they will be informed of their mark (in 18-30/30) which they can accept or reject.
BIO/11 - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
BIO/19 - MICROBIOLOGY
BIO/19 - MICROBIOLOGY
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Brilli Matteo, Marini Federica
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
By sending an email, I will immediately arrange a meeting
Via Celoria 26, 4th floor, A tower