Molecular Biology A - L
Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: Angela Anna MESSINAExpected Learning Outcomes
Students in this course will learn the concepts inherent to the nature of genetic material, the significance of the flow of genetic information and the mechanisms that control its maintenance, variability and regulation of gene expression. Students will also be able to discuss issues concerning the structure of the macromolecules that carry genetic information, the mechanisms that allow the maintenance of the continuity and quality of genetic information, and the main mechanisms for regulating gene expression.
Course Structure
Lectures supported by classroom exercises.
If the teaching is delivered in a blended mode or at a distance, the necessary variations may be introduced in order to comply with the planned programme.
Required Prerequisites
It is essential to have passed the following examinations of the CdS: Genetics, Biochemistry
Attendance of Lessons
Attendance is mandatory for the purposes of participation in the in itinere tests scheduled during the course of the lectures.
Detailed Course Content
The structure of the DNA - tautomeric conformations of the bases - concepts of denaturation and hybridization - the conformations of the double helix - the topology of the DNA and the topoisomerases - the structure of the RNA - the formation of the secondary structures of the RNA - classes of RNA - the ribozymes.DNA organization in the cell - prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes: their organization, physical characteristics, genetic content and content in repetitive DNA - structural elements of chromosomes - nucleosome - histones - assembly of nucleosomes - molecular aspects of chromosomal duplication and segregation.DNA replication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes - bacterial and eukaryotic DNA polymerases - Beginning and end of replication phase - Mutations and repairs of DNA - Homologous recombination and its machinery at the molecular level - Adaptations of recombination to specialized situations: site-specific recombination - Transposons to DNA - Retrotransposons. Examples of transposition regulationTranscription - RNA polymerases - transcription in bacteria and eukaryotes - RNA maturation - splicing and its machinery - alternative splicing - RNA editing - genetic code - suppressor mutations - protein synthesis in prokaryotes and eukaryotes - RNA classes involved in translation - ribosome - translation phases - translation regulation - dependent regulation of mRNA and protein stability. Regulation of gene expression - regulation of the beginning of transcription in prokaryotes: the operon model and the lambda phage - mechanisms of transcriptional regulation in eukaryotes - transcription factors - DNA-linked domains - signal transduction - regulation of chromatin structure - gene silencing - regulator RNA. Molecular biology techniques: electrophoresis of biological macromolecules - hybridization probes - gene cloning - libraries: genomics and DNA - PCR - Sequencing.
Textbook Information
1) Watson et al., Biologia molecolare del gene, 7 ed, Zanichelli; 2) Zlataanova & van Holde, Biologia molecolare, ed. Zanichelli
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
To be admitted to the oral exam, there is a pre-selection written test consisting of 15 questions (6 multiple-choice, 8 open-answer and one structure formula or exercise) marked from 0 (zero) to +2. The final score is obtained from the sum of the partial marks. You can enter the oral exam with a minimum mark of 13.5.
There are two in-progress tests (60 multiple-choice questions with one correct answer marked +2, wrong or no answer marked 0 (zero). The test is passed with a minimum mark of 72. With a minimum mark of 60, the test is considered "passed with reserve", i.e. it is necessary to make up the insufficiency in the following test.
The learning test may also be conducted electronically, should conditions require it.
There are two in-progress tests (60 multiple-choice questions with one correct answer marked +2, wrong or no answer marked 0 (zero). The test is passed with a minimum mark of 72. With a minimum mark of 60, the test is considered "passed with reserve", i.e. it is necessary to make up the insufficiency in the following test.
The learning test may also be conducted electronically, should conditions require it.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
- Characteristics of DNA A, DNA B, DNA Z
- DNA replication in eukaryotes and prokaryotes and replication bubble
- Start sites of duplication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes and their regulation
- Characteristics of DNA polymerases in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
- Telomerase
- Characteristics of various cellular RNAs and their abundance
- Maturation of different types of transcripts in eukaryotes and prokaryotes
- Eukaryotic and prokaryotic RNA polymerases
- Transcription process in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
- Characteristics of genes for rRNA, tRNA and mRNA in eukaryotes and prokaryotes - Enhancers and Silencers of transcription; insulators
- Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes
- Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes
- DNA methylation
- Splicing mechanisms
- Editing
- Transcription factors
- Molecular mechanisms of protein synthesis in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
- Elongation and termination of protein synthesis
- Viruses: phage lambda and retrovirus
- PCR
- DNA cloning techniques
- DNA sequencing
VERSIONE IN ITALIANO
- DNA replication in eukaryotes and prokaryotes and replication bubble
- Start sites of duplication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes and their regulation
- Characteristics of DNA polymerases in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
- Telomerase
- Characteristics of various cellular RNAs and their abundance
- Maturation of different types of transcripts in eukaryotes and prokaryotes
- Eukaryotic and prokaryotic RNA polymerases
- Transcription process in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
- Characteristics of genes for rRNA, tRNA and mRNA in eukaryotes and prokaryotes - Enhancers and Silencers of transcription; insulators
- Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes
- Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes
- DNA methylation
- Splicing mechanisms
- Editing
- Transcription factors
- Molecular mechanisms of protein synthesis in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
- Elongation and termination of protein synthesis
- Viruses: phage lambda and retrovirus
- PCR
- DNA cloning techniques
- DNA sequencing