Learning objectives
At the end of the course the student should have acquired sufficient knowledge and information to understand, critically discuss and practically apply the molecular basis of the mechanisms of transmission of genetic information.
Prerequisites
The student must have basic knowledge of the organic chemistry of the main biological molecules. Basic knowledge of the biology of the eukaryotic cell.
Course unit content
The course aims to provide a basic knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of the transmission of genetic information. After a brief hystorical introduction on the Mendelian lows of genetic inheritance transmission, up to the discovery of DNA as the "transforming principle", the course will introduce the modern knowledge on DNA and RNA chemistry and their structure. Then will be delivered the concepts of DNA replication, RNA transcription and translation: the central mechanisms of the transmission of the genetic information. Then will be delivered the concepts of DNA recombination, mutation repair mechanisms. The last part of the course will describe the main techniques used for DNA manipulation with examples of applications in research, clinical medicine and forensic medicine.
Full programme
From Darwin to Mendel to the discovery of the transforming principle: bases of the transmission of genetic information.
Nucleic acids: composition and structure.
3D structure of DNA, DNA topology: coiling and supercoiling.
Topoisomerases.
Histones, chromatin, chromosomes.
Basics of epigenetic modifications of DNA and histones.
DNA replication: characteristics of DNA polymerases, replication mechanism.
Drugs that interfere with the replication process.
Replication forks, replisome assembly, replication coupling mechanisms.
Origin of replication, mechanism of origins control in eukaryotes.
Termination of replication.
The ends of linear chromosomes: telomerase.
DNA damage and mutations.
Mechanisms of damage repair: direct, indirect, double-strand break repair mechanisms.
RNA transcription in eukaryotes: characteristics of RNA polymerases, formation of the initiation complex, elongation, termination of transcription.
Characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic promoters.
Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes.
RNA maturation: capping, splicing, tailing, editing.
Notes on RNA interference.
From RNA to proteins: mechanisms and enzymes of messenger RNA translation. The genetic code.
Translation of messenger mRNA: molecules and enzymes involved.
t-RNA, ribosomes, aminoacyl-tRNAsynthetase
Stages of translation: initiation, elongation, termination.
Drugs that interfere with the protein translation process.
Bibliography
Biologia molecolare del gene. James D. Watson et al. settima ed. Zanichelli
G. Capranico, E. Martegani, G. Musci, G. Raugei, T. Russo, N. Zambrano, V. Zappavigna. Edises
Teaching methods
Lectures will be held on-site in compliance with safety standards, provided that further instructions on the ongoing health emergency are not implemented.
Lectures will be supported by slide presentations and animations, promoting the molecular approach which will be available to students on Elly platform. Web sites and useful references will be also suggested.
Assessment methods and criteria
The final examination will be oral. The student must demonstrate that he/she has acquired knowledge of the topics of the program, and that he/she is able to explain them with logical coherence and language property. From the interview must emerge the acquired competences in terms of ability to interpret and apply molecular information referred to the pathway of genetic information. In case of the persistence of the health emergency, the exams will be conducted remotely, by means of the Teams platform.
Students with SLD / BSE must first contact Le Eli-che: support for students with disabilities, D.S.A., B.E.S. (https://sea.unipr.it/it/servizi/le-eli-che-supporto-studenti-con-disabilita-dsa-bes).
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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