Biologia molecolare e genetica
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Undefined
Expected learning outcomes
Undefined
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
Prerequisites for admission
No specific pre-requirement is requested for the admission to the course of Biology and Genetics.
Assessment methods and Criteria
At the end of both modules of the course, students will have the opportunity to take a written exam; the final grade, upon passing both exams, will be the arithmetic mean of the scores obtained. The exams will consist of multiple-choice questions with five possible answers, a few open-ended questions, or a mixture of both.One or more answers may be correct. The questions will cover most of the topics covered in class. Students who do not take or pass the mid-term exam may take the exam according to the exam dates, in which students will take an oral exam for each module of the entire Biology and Genetics course. The final grade will be calculated based on the credits assigned to the individual modules.
Biologia molecolare
Course syllabus
· Introduction to the course.
· Nucleic acids transmit the genetic information.
· Structure of nucleic acids and DNA topology.
· Protein structure.
· Methods in molecular biology: principles and applications.
· Genomic organization, chromatin and nucleosome structure.
· Transcription in prokaryotes: molecular mechanisms.
· Transcription in eukaryotes: the factors and molecular mechanisms involved.
· Examples of gene expression regulation, also considering the diverse epigenetics mechanisms.
· RNA processing and maturation.
· Protein synthesis: its protagonists and the involved molecular mechanisms.
· Main molecular mechanisms by which the genetic information can be preserved: DNA replication and repair.
· Nucleic acids transmit the genetic information.
· Structure of nucleic acids and DNA topology.
· Protein structure.
· Methods in molecular biology: principles and applications.
· Genomic organization, chromatin and nucleosome structure.
· Transcription in prokaryotes: molecular mechanisms.
· Transcription in eukaryotes: the factors and molecular mechanisms involved.
· Examples of gene expression regulation, also considering the diverse epigenetics mechanisms.
· RNA processing and maturation.
· Protein synthesis: its protagonists and the involved molecular mechanisms.
· Main molecular mechanisms by which the genetic information can be preserved: DNA replication and repair.
Teaching methods
Professors disseminate instruction througt traditional frontal teaching, non-formal teaching, and innovative teaching methods.
The module consists of frontal lectures and classroom exercises with slide shows in Power Point. In all teaching moments, students are exhorted to try to find experimental strategies useful for solving small scientific problems or to consider the possible biomedical applications deduced from the acquired knowledge.
The teaching material consisting of presentations in PDF format is made available at the end of the lesson on the Ariel platform.
Attendance of teaching is mandatory.
The module consists of frontal lectures and classroom exercises with slide shows in Power Point. In all teaching moments, students are exhorted to try to find experimental strategies useful for solving small scientific problems or to consider the possible biomedical applications deduced from the acquired knowledge.
The teaching material consisting of presentations in PDF format is made available at the end of the lesson on the Ariel platform.
Attendance of teaching is mandatory.
Teaching Resources
· L. Allison Fondamenti di Biologia molecolare. Edito da Zanichelli
· G. Capranico, E. Martegani, G. Musci, G. Raugei, T. Russo, N. Zambrano, V. Zappavigna Biologia Molecolare. Edito da EdiSES
· G. Karp Biologia cellulare e Molecolare Edises
· B. Alberts, A. Johnson, J. Lewis, M. Raff, K. Roberts, P. Walter Biologia molecolare della cellula, Zanichelli
· G. Capranico, E. Martegani, G. Musci, G. Raugei, T. Russo, N. Zambrano, V. Zappavigna Biologia Molecolare. Edito da EdiSES
· G. Karp Biologia cellulare e Molecolare Edises
· B. Alberts, A. Johnson, J. Lewis, M. Raff, K. Roberts, P. Walter Biologia molecolare della cellula, Zanichelli
Genetica medica
Course syllabus
· Chromosomal abnormalities of the number and the structure of chromosomes:
- human karyotype: variants and mutations
- Clinical implications and cytogenetic diagnosis
- Molecular cytogenetics: Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH), definition, features and applications; CGH array techniques
· The sex chromosome and their abnormalities:
- X chromosome inactivation: mechanisms and relevance of the phenomenon in X-linked genetic diseases
- Genetic sex determination, examples of diseases with altered sex differentiation
· Genomic imprinting and uniparental disomies. Pathogenetic mechanisms of examples of imprinting disorders (Angelman syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome).
· Trinucleotide repeat disorders and related pathomechanisms. Fragile X syndrome, FMR1-relate syndromes and Huntington's disease.
· Genetic counseling and mendelian risks.
· The main types of genetic tests: single-gene sequencing, next-generation sequencing, concept and applications of Clinical Exome and Whole Exome sequencing
· Hints on new "omics" technologies
· Mitochondrial disorders and approaches for analysis of the mitochondrial DNA
· Cancer genetic predisposition. Somatic and germline mutations. Main features of the involved genes
- human karyotype: variants and mutations
- Clinical implications and cytogenetic diagnosis
- Molecular cytogenetics: Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH), definition, features and applications; CGH array techniques
· The sex chromosome and their abnormalities:
- X chromosome inactivation: mechanisms and relevance of the phenomenon in X-linked genetic diseases
- Genetic sex determination, examples of diseases with altered sex differentiation
· Genomic imprinting and uniparental disomies. Pathogenetic mechanisms of examples of imprinting disorders (Angelman syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome).
· Trinucleotide repeat disorders and related pathomechanisms. Fragile X syndrome, FMR1-relate syndromes and Huntington's disease.
· Genetic counseling and mendelian risks.
· The main types of genetic tests: single-gene sequencing, next-generation sequencing, concept and applications of Clinical Exome and Whole Exome sequencing
· Hints on new "omics" technologies
· Mitochondrial disorders and approaches for analysis of the mitochondrial DNA
· Cancer genetic predisposition. Somatic and germline mutations. Main features of the involved genes
Teaching methods
The module consists of frontal lectures and classroom exercises with slide shows in Power Point. Innovative teaching will be provided in the form of discussion of clinical cases, seminars and online exercises. In all teaching moments, students are exhorted to try to find experimental strategies useful for solving small scientific problems or to consider the possible biomedical applications deduced from the acquired knowledge.
The teaching material consisting of presentations in PDF format is made available at the end of the lesson on the Ariel platform.
Attendance of teaching is mandatory.
The teaching material consisting of presentations in PDF format is made available at the end of the lesson on the Ariel platform.
Attendance of teaching is mandatory.
Teaching Resources
Genetics in Medicine", Thompson & Thompson - EDISES / Elsevier
"Genetica e genomica umane", Stuppia - EdiErmes
Materiale didattico integrativo sarà reso disponibile durante il corso alla seguente pagina web:
https://privabg2al.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx
"Genetica e genomica umane", Stuppia - EdiErmes
Materiale didattico integrativo sarà reso disponibile durante il corso alla seguente pagina web:
https://privabg2al.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx
Modules or teaching units
Biologia molecolare
BIO/11 - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY - University credits: 4
Lessons: 50 hours
Genetica medica
MED/03 - MEDICAL GENETICS - University credits: 2
Lessons: 25 hours