Cellular Communication and Signal Transduction
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The Cellular Communication and Signal Transduction course is divided into two modules.
The first module, Signal Protein and Biochemistry Engineering (6 CFU), aims to provide specific knowledge of the principles and main techniques used in protein engineering, as well as to develop skills related to the biochemical processes involved in signal transduction. At the end of the module, students will be able to apply the knowledge acquired to understand the molecular mechanisms of cellular regulation and to apply this knowledge to the study of complex biological systems.
The second module, Cellular Communication and Endocrine Function (4 CFU), provides students with fundamental knowledge related to the endocrinology of domestic mammals, with references also to birds and fish. At the end of the module, students will be able to apply the knowledge acquired to understand the functioning of the main endocrine glands and the mechanisms of action of the hormones they produce.
The first module, Signal Protein and Biochemistry Engineering (6 CFU), aims to provide specific knowledge of the principles and main techniques used in protein engineering, as well as to develop skills related to the biochemical processes involved in signal transduction. At the end of the module, students will be able to apply the knowledge acquired to understand the molecular mechanisms of cellular regulation and to apply this knowledge to the study of complex biological systems.
The second module, Cellular Communication and Endocrine Function (4 CFU), provides students with fundamental knowledge related to the endocrinology of domestic mammals, with references also to birds and fish. At the end of the module, students will be able to apply the knowledge acquired to understand the functioning of the main endocrine glands and the mechanisms of action of the hormones they produce.
Expected learning outcomes
1) Knowledge and understanding: The student must demonstrate a solid knowledge of the principles and main techniques used in protein engineering and signal biochemistry. They must also understand the mechanisms of cellular communication, with particular reference to the functioning of the main endocrine glands and the mechanisms of action of the hormones they produce.
2) Applying knowledge and understanding: The student must demonstrate mastery of the fundamental concepts needed to establish connections among the various topics covered, particularly integrating notions of protein engineering, signal biochemistry, and cellular communication, with special attention to endocrinological aspects. These skills should enable the student to continue the subsequent stages of their education in an informed and autonomous manner.
3) Making informed judgements: The student must be able to approach the subject matter critically, demonstrating the ability to analyze and reinterpret information. This includes the ability to present written reports orally during practical activities, integrating the study materials provided by instructors with knowledge acquired independently.
4) Communication skills: The student must demonstrate the ability to use appropriate scientific terminology, allowing them to express the knowledge acquired clearly and effectively. This competence will be assessed through written and oral exams, the ability to answer open-ended questions during examinations, the presentation and discussion of reports prepared during the course activities, and active and informed participation in classroom discussions.
5) Lifelong learning skills: The student must demonstrate the ability to independently deepen their understanding of the topics covered in the course. This competence will be assessed through practical activities and in-depth projects, which will require the autonomous consultation of up-to-date scientific sources. The evaluation will consider the quality of the selected sources, the ability to analyze their content, and the critical application of the information collected.
2) Applying knowledge and understanding: The student must demonstrate mastery of the fundamental concepts needed to establish connections among the various topics covered, particularly integrating notions of protein engineering, signal biochemistry, and cellular communication, with special attention to endocrinological aspects. These skills should enable the student to continue the subsequent stages of their education in an informed and autonomous manner.
3) Making informed judgements: The student must be able to approach the subject matter critically, demonstrating the ability to analyze and reinterpret information. This includes the ability to present written reports orally during practical activities, integrating the study materials provided by instructors with knowledge acquired independently.
4) Communication skills: The student must demonstrate the ability to use appropriate scientific terminology, allowing them to express the knowledge acquired clearly and effectively. This competence will be assessed through written and oral exams, the ability to answer open-ended questions during examinations, the presentation and discussion of reports prepared during the course activities, and active and informed participation in classroom discussions.
5) Lifelong learning skills: The student must demonstrate the ability to independently deepen their understanding of the topics covered in the course. This competence will be assessed through practical activities and in-depth projects, which will require the autonomous consultation of up-to-date scientific sources. The evaluation will consider the quality of the selected sources, the ability to analyze their content, and the critical application of the information collected.
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
The course is divided into two teaching units, and it aims to provide students with a broad and integrated understanding of various aspects of protein engineering, cell signalling and endocrinology.
TEACHING UNIT "PROTEIN ENGINEERING AND SIGNAL BIOCHEMISTRY":
Theoretical lectures (24 hours)
Study of expression and function of genes (4 hours)
Production of recombinant proteins from heterologous systems (9 hours)
Introduction of genetic material into prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (2 hours)
Site-directed mutagenesis and its applications (2 hours)
Rnase protection assay (1 hour)
siRNA and miRNA silencing (2 hours)
Dna-protein interaction analysis (2 hours)
Protein-protein interaction analysis (1 hour)
Analysis of complex (1 hour)
Practical Sessions and Seminars (24 hours)
Growth of cells overexpressing mutant proteins (2.5 hours)
Seminar: Extracellular signals: hormones, cytokines, and growth factors (2 hours) (classroom)
Cell lysis and protein extraction (1.5 hours)
Seminar: Receptors (1 hour) (classroom)
Protein quantification: Bradford assay (1.5 hours)
Seminar: Protein phosphorylation: kinases and phosphatases (1 hour) (classroom)
Seminar: cAMP, adenylate cyclase, and the role of G proteins (2 hours) (classroom)
Seminar: Inositol phosphate metabolism and the role of other membrane lipids (2 hours) (classroom)
Protein purification under anaerobic conditions (1.5 hours)
Purification of NadA protein (1.5 hours)
Seminar: Intracellular calcium - regulation and role in signal transduction (2 hours) (classroom)
Seminar: Nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, and carbon monoxide (2 hours) (classroom)
Protein quantification by absorbance at 260 and 280 nm (1.5 hours)
Iron quantification (2 hours)
TEACHING UNIT "CELLULAR COMMUNICATION AND ENDOCRINE FUNCTION":
Intercellular communication and membrane receptors: 1 hour
Characteristics of endocrine functions: 2 hours
Synthesis and mechanical action of peptide hormones: 1 hour
Synthesis and mechanical action of steroid hormones: 1 hour
Hypothalamic hormones: 2 hours
Pituitary hormones: 2 hours
Thyroid hormones: 1 hour
Adrenocortical hormones: 2 hours
Adrenal medullary hormones: 2 hours
Hormonal Control of Carbohydrate Metabolism: 2 hours
Hormonal Control of Calcium homeostasis: 1 hour
Hormonal Control of energy metabolism: 1 hour
Classroom practical sessions (12 hours)
First 2 hours (with all students present): an introduction on how to perform a bibliographic search using the main available databases, as well as on how to properly structure and write a scientific paper. At the same time, each group (composed of up to 3 students) will select a scientific paper for critical analysis.
Subsequent 10 hours (with all students present): presentations by the various student groups of the selected scientific papers, relating to the physiology of domestic or non-conventional animals, followed by critical analysis and open discussion involving the entire class.
TEACHING UNIT "PROTEIN ENGINEERING AND SIGNAL BIOCHEMISTRY":
Theoretical lectures (24 hours)
Study of expression and function of genes (4 hours)
Production of recombinant proteins from heterologous systems (9 hours)
Introduction of genetic material into prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (2 hours)
Site-directed mutagenesis and its applications (2 hours)
Rnase protection assay (1 hour)
siRNA and miRNA silencing (2 hours)
Dna-protein interaction analysis (2 hours)
Protein-protein interaction analysis (1 hour)
Analysis of complex (1 hour)
Practical Sessions and Seminars (24 hours)
Growth of cells overexpressing mutant proteins (2.5 hours)
Seminar: Extracellular signals: hormones, cytokines, and growth factors (2 hours) (classroom)
Cell lysis and protein extraction (1.5 hours)
Seminar: Receptors (1 hour) (classroom)
Protein quantification: Bradford assay (1.5 hours)
Seminar: Protein phosphorylation: kinases and phosphatases (1 hour) (classroom)
Seminar: cAMP, adenylate cyclase, and the role of G proteins (2 hours) (classroom)
Seminar: Inositol phosphate metabolism and the role of other membrane lipids (2 hours) (classroom)
Protein purification under anaerobic conditions (1.5 hours)
Purification of NadA protein (1.5 hours)
Seminar: Intracellular calcium - regulation and role in signal transduction (2 hours) (classroom)
Seminar: Nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, and carbon monoxide (2 hours) (classroom)
Protein quantification by absorbance at 260 and 280 nm (1.5 hours)
Iron quantification (2 hours)
TEACHING UNIT "CELLULAR COMMUNICATION AND ENDOCRINE FUNCTION":
Intercellular communication and membrane receptors: 1 hour
Characteristics of endocrine functions: 2 hours
Synthesis and mechanical action of peptide hormones: 1 hour
Synthesis and mechanical action of steroid hormones: 1 hour
Hypothalamic hormones: 2 hours
Pituitary hormones: 2 hours
Thyroid hormones: 1 hour
Adrenocortical hormones: 2 hours
Adrenal medullary hormones: 2 hours
Hormonal Control of Carbohydrate Metabolism: 2 hours
Hormonal Control of Calcium homeostasis: 1 hour
Hormonal Control of energy metabolism: 1 hour
Classroom practical sessions (12 hours)
First 2 hours (with all students present): an introduction on how to perform a bibliographic search using the main available databases, as well as on how to properly structure and write a scientific paper. At the same time, each group (composed of up to 3 students) will select a scientific paper for critical analysis.
Subsequent 10 hours (with all students present): presentations by the various student groups of the selected scientific papers, relating to the physiology of domestic or non-conventional animals, followed by critical analysis and open discussion involving the entire class.
Prerequisites for admission
The prerequisites required to pass the exam are the knowledge of anatomy and general physiology and the most common laboratory techniques of biochemistry and molecular biology.
Teaching methods
Signal protein and biochemistry engineering: frontal lectures and practical exercises focused on topics dealt with theoretically.
Cellular communication and endocrine function: Lectures (18 hours) and classroom exercises (12 hours).
The classroom exercises will be conducted as follows: during the first two hours, students, working in groups of two or three, will carry out a literature search using the principal available databases, followed by a discussion on the proper structure and composition of a scientific paper. Subsequently, each student group will proceed to present and analyze a scientific paper of their choice pertaining to the field of endocrinology in either domestic or non-conventional animals.
Cellular communication and endocrine function: Lectures (18 hours) and classroom exercises (12 hours).
The classroom exercises will be conducted as follows: during the first two hours, students, working in groups of two or three, will carry out a literature search using the principal available databases, followed by a discussion on the proper structure and composition of a scientific paper. Subsequently, each student group will proceed to present and analyze a scientific paper of their choice pertaining to the field of endocrinology in either domestic or non-conventional animals.
Teaching Resources
Didactic material provided in class and available on the MyAriel website.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The course is divided into two teaching units:
1) Signal protein and biochemistry engineering: written test, with 3 open questions and 5 multiple choise-questions (4 options and only one correct answer). Time available to complete the exam: 1,5 hours. Vote expressed out of thirty.
2) Cellular communication and endocrine function: written test composed of 15 questions with 4 answers, and only one correct. Time available to complete the exam: 1 hour. Vote expressed out of thirty unit, also taking into account the opinion obtained in the discussion of the reports presented during the exercises.
For both teaching units, the examination will cover all topics addressed during the course. The final grade will be determined by the weighted average of the grades obtained in each teaching unit.
1) Signal protein and biochemistry engineering: written test, with 3 open questions and 5 multiple choise-questions (4 options and only one correct answer). Time available to complete the exam: 1,5 hours. Vote expressed out of thirty.
2) Cellular communication and endocrine function: written test composed of 15 questions with 4 answers, and only one correct. Time available to complete the exam: 1 hour. Vote expressed out of thirty unit, also taking into account the opinion obtained in the discussion of the reports presented during the exercises.
For both teaching units, the examination will cover all topics addressed during the course. The final grade will be determined by the weighted average of the grades obtained in each teaching unit.
BIO/09 - PHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 4
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Practicals: 36 hours
Lessons: 42 hours
Lessons: 42 hours
Professors:
Albertini Mariangela, Maffioli Elisa Margherita
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)