Environment and Workplace Prevention Techniques

The Applied Biology course aims to provide students with basic knowledge of Cellular Biology and to examine aspects related to the structure, organization, and functions of nucleic acids and their transcription and translation. Some basic methods for the analysis and amplification of nucleic acids by the Polymerase Chain Reaction are discussed. Detailed program of the course follows. BASIC ELEMENTS OF CELL BIOLOGY. The cell theory. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Nucleus. Plasma membrane and endomembranous system (endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes). Mitochondria and chloroplasts. Cell division. [3 hours] STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF NUCLEIC ACIDS. Chemical constituents of nucleic acids: purine and pyrimidine bases, ribose and deoxyribose. Nucleosides and nucleotides. DNA as genetic material (experiments by Griffith, Avery-McLeod-McCarty, Hershey & Chase). Chargaff rules. The double helix of Watson and Crick. Denaturation, renaturation and melting temperature (Tm) of a DNA. RNA: Differences from DNA. Various types of RNA and their biological role: mRNA, rRNA, tRNA. The small RNAs (snRNA, snoRNA). Organization of genetic material: chromatin, nucleosomes, histones and histone modifications. [4 hours] DNA REPLICATION AND REPAIR. DNA replication: semiconservative (Meselson & Stahl experiment), bidirectional and semidiscontinuous. DNA polymerases. Replication in E. coli and eukaryotes. The telomere problem: telomerases. DNA damage. Repair systems: photo-repair and excision repair. [3 hours] TRANSCRIPTION. General features, prokaryotic and eukaryotic RNA polymerases. Transcriptional initiation: prokaryotic and eukaryotic promoters. Elongation and transcriptional termination. The reverse transcriptase. Maturation of eukaryotic mRNAs: capping, polyadenylation, splicing. [4 hours] GENETIC CODE AND TRANSLATION. The genetic code. Mutations and their effects: point mutations, insertions and deletions. The case of hemoglobin S. Expansion of triplets. Translation machinery: mRNA, tRNA, ribosomes and aminoacyl-tRNA synthase. Translation: initiation, elongation and termination. [3 hours] TECHNIQUES. Purification and analysis of nucleic acids (electrophoresis, spectrophotometry). Polymerase Chain Reaction: general characteristics and applications. Real Time PCR. DNA fingerprinting and its application. [3 hours]

For an adequate learning it is recommended that at the beginning of Applied Biology module the student possesses some knowledge of basic Biology.

The course deals with basic topics and any university-level textbook of Biology or Molecular Biology covering the syllabus can be considered adequate. Therefore, the student is free to choose the manual which appears clearer and more responsive to his/her own needs. Having said so, here below are some textbooks that allow the student to realize the degree of in-depth study required and are suitable to prepare the exam: - Sadava D, Hillis DM, Heller HC, Hacker S. ELEMENTI DI BIOLOGIA E GENETICA, quinta ediz., Zanichelli 2019. - Raven PH, Johnson GB, Mason KA, Losos JB, Singer SR. Vol. 1 BIOLOGIA CELLULARE, Vol. 2 GENETICA E BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE, Piccin 2018 - Additional/supplementary material made available by the teacher either on the e-learning or Classroom platforms.

Lesson attendance is mandatory, at least for 67% of the lectures, and both facilitates the learning process and outlines the knowledge level required at the exam.

Evaluation takes please through a verbal discussion typically consisting of 2-3 questions aimed at assessing the knowledge acquired by the student on the various topics covered during the course. To pass the Applied Biology module, student must show to have acquired a basic knowledge of Cell Biology, of structure and functions of nucleic acids and of transcription and translation. To achieve the highest marks, the student must demonstrate excellent command of the various topics covered during the course and the ability to connect them in a logical and coherent way.

The Applied Biology course consists in classroom lectures. The different topics covered during the course can be easily found on the recommended textbooks. Auxiliary teaching material may be made available to students on the e-learning website and/or by Classroom. The teacher remains available for clarification on specific topics upon appointment.