GENERAL BIOLOGY AND BIOLOGY OF MICROORGANISMS 2

Module APPLIED BIOLOGY

Integrated study of the cell and living organisms, with particular regard to the basic mechanisms involved in the following processes: duplication and transmission of genetic information, its expression, development, differentiation, cell proliferation, biogenesis of organelles and cellular structures, interaction between cells, biological basis of behavior and evolution. Biotechnological and general and molecular genetic applications of knowledge on the processes mentioned above are a relevant aspect of the field. The learning and use of all advanced biomolecular technologies, including recombinant technologies and the use of transgenic animals, are essential to achieve the indicated objectives.

More in details, the course aims to provide information to understand the general principles on which life is based. The main educational purposes of the course are the following:

-a knowledge of chemical and molecular fundaments of life
-the study of cell structure and function
-a knowledge of the basic mechanisms of transmission of the genetic information
-the study of the principles of development and differentiation
-a basic knowledge of the biological Kingdoms and of the most relevant model organisms in biotechnology and biomedicine

The main abilities the students should obtain are the following:
- understanding and learning the chemical and molecular bases of life, applying them to the study
of structures and functions of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
- acquiring the basic information about the mechanisms of replication, transmission and expression of genetic information
- understanding and learning the basic principles of energy production and transformation in living cells
- understanding the basic mechanisms of development and differentiation, applying them to more advanced studies of cell biology and biotechnology
- acquiring basic information about living Kingdoms and on the most relevant model organisms in biotechnology and biomedicine
- develop an ability to communicate the acquired information using a correct terminology
- develop the ability to synthesize the relevant information and to analyse in a logic and critical way the acquired information

The course is organized in 35 hours of frontal teaching through lectures with the aid of slides and videos and 12 hours of on site exercises

If the teaching will be given in mixed or remote mode, due changes could be introduced with respect to what was previously stated, in order to comply with the planned program reported in the Syllabus.

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.

The student must have acquired the basic knowledge in the field of Biology provided by the normal high school curricula.

Compulsory attendance. Attendance of the course is required for at least 70% of the lessons to be admitted to the final exam of the course.

                    Course Introduction

Prebiotic chemistry and the origin of life: Miller and Urey's experiment. The RNA world.

Properties of living systems: cell theory, emergent properties, genetic information, metabolic activity, energy flow and matter cycle, reproduction and development, evolution.

Biodiversity: notes on the origin of life and biological evolution. Classification of living organisms into domains and kingdoms.

·                  Generalities on the chemistry of living organisms

The importance of water in living organisms.

The main biological molecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.

·                  Viruses

Definition of virus. DNA and RNA viruses. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic viruses.

·                  The cell: structure and organization

Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell organization.

The biological significance of compartmentalization in eukaryotic cells. The organelles of eukaryotic cells. The cytoskeleton. Main differences between animal and plant eukaryotic cells.

·                  The cell nucleus

Structure of the nucleus of the eukaryotic cell. Chromatin and chromosomes.

·                  Biological membranes: structure

Lipid, carbohydrate and protein components. The cell membrane: the model of Singer and Nicholson. The cell membrane and inflammation. Biological meaning of glycocalyx in the cell membrane.

·                  Transport across cell membrane

Passive and active transport. ATPase pumps. The symport and the antiport. The sodium-potassium pump.

·                  Mitochondria

Structure of the mitochondria. The mitochondrial genome. Endosymbiont theory.

·                  Signal Transduction

Definition of receptor: membrane receptors and intracellular receptors. Signal transduction mediated by: (i) G protein-associated receptors; (ii) receptors with enzymatic activity; (iii) ion channel-associated receptors. Glucagon pathway. Acetylcholine pathway. Ras/MAPK pathway. Receptor desensitization. Extracellular vesicles.

·                  Flow of genetic information

DNA replication. Structure of the class I, II and III genes. Transcription. Genetic code and protein synthesis.

·                  Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes

Epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Transcriptional regulation. Post-transcriptional regulation: splicing, alternative splicing, non-coding RNAs. Post-translational regulation.

·                  Cell cycle

Definition of the cell cycle. Outline of cell cycle regulation. The biological significance of pRb and p53. Mitosis and meiosis. The biological importance of meiosis for genetic variability and evolution.

·                  Apoptosis

General definition and biological significance of apoptosis. Intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis.

·                  Stem cells and blood cells

Stem cells: definition and classification. Hematopoietic stem cells and blood cells.

Classroom exercise

Contribution of teaching to the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Goal No. 3: Health and well-being

Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, especially developing countries, to prevent, reduce and manage national and global health risks

Modality:

·         Lectures

·         Classroom exercise

Hillis et al., Fondamenti di Biologia - Zanichelli

Savada et al., Elementi di Biologia e Genetica

It is important to use last issue/edition of the indicated volumes.

Structure and function of membranes

Role of mitochondria

Post-transcriptional gene regulation

Structure of the human genome