CELLULAR VESICULES AND MOLECULAR NANOBIOTECHNOLOGIES
Academic Year 2022/2023 - Teacher: NUNZIO IRACIExpected Learning Outcomes
The optional course "CELLULAR VESICLES AND MOLECULAR NANOTECHNOLOGIES" aims at providing the student with an integrated view of how organelles are organized in the cytoplasm and how they interact with each other from a structural and functional point of view. Another objective is to introduce the student to the most recent discoveries about the role of extracellular vesicles, in particular exosomes, in the context of cell-to-cell communication and nanotechnologies.
The student will learn the fundamental techniques for the study of membranes and organelles, such as lipidomics and fractionation by ultracentrifugation and sucrose gradient. Ultimately, the student will be able to acquire a '3D vision' of the cell, and of the molecular dynamics of vesicle-mediated signaling, both within the cell and with the microenvironment.
Course Structure
Lectures and exercises.
Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.
Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.
Information for students with disabilities and / or SLD: To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and / or dispensatory measures, based on the teaching objectives and specifications needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP contact person (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and / or SLD) of the Department of Biomedical and Biotechonological Sciences.
Detailed Course Content
I) Composition of cell membranes and methodology: lipidomics
II) Intracellular vesicles: from the nucleus to the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus
III) Organelles as metabolic units: mitochondria and "lipid droplets"
IV) Degradative organelles: peroxisome, lysosome and autophagy
V) Cell membrane and invaginations: the endosome
VI) Extracellular vesicles: classification, biogenesis and functions
VII) Extracellular vesicles: diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities
Textbook Information
Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th edition) - Alberts B. et al.
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Composizione lipidico/proteica e caratteristiche delle membrane cellulari. Lipidomica: introduzione, metodi e applicazioni. | Alberts B. et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th edition) - Original research articles. |
| 2 | Compartimentalizzazione cellulare e traffico intracellulare; sequenze segnale; trasporto fra nucleo e citoplasma. Trasporto vescicolare: descrizione dei diversi tipi di coating proteins; meccanismi molecolari di secrezione e fusione delle vescicole intracellulari. Reticolo endoplasmatico (ER): struttura & funzione; trasporto fra citoplasma e ER; glicosilazione e sintesi lipidica in ER. Apparato del Golgi: struttura e funzione; trasporto fra ER e Golgi; glicosilazione e sintesi lipidica nel Golgi. | Alberts B. et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th edition) - Original research articles. |
| 3 | Mitocondri e traffico col citoplasma; vescicole mitocondriali intra ed extracellulari. Lipid droplets: biogenesi e coinvolgimento in contesti fisio- e patologici. | Alberts B. et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th edition) - Original research articles. |
| 4 | Perossisomi: struttura & funzione; trasporto fra citoplasma e perossisomi. Lisosomi: struttura & funzione; trasporto fra Golgi e lisosoma; autofagia e mitofagia. | Alberts B. et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th edition) - Original research articles. |
| 5 | Endosoma: struttura & funzione; meccanismi molecolari di endocitosi/fagocitosi/esocitosi; vescicole sinaptiche. | Alberts B. et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th edition) - Original research articles. |
| 6 | Vescicole extracellulari: classificazione e composizione; meccanismi molecolari di biogenesi e secrezione; signaling & uptake su cellule target; metodi di isolamento; ruoli fisiologici e patologici. | Alberts B. et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th edition) - Original research articles. |
| 7 | Vescicole extracellulari: opportunità diagnostiche e terapeutiche; EV bio-engineering; EV online databases. | Alberts B. et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th edition) - Original research articles. |