Biotechnologies

Main teaching objectives The course provides students with a basic knowledge of Genetics aimed at understanding the rules of inheritance, their molecular bases, their main applications and their implications for evolution. In addition, the course will allow students to understand how genetic information is encoded at the DNA level and how the biochemical processes of the cell translate genetic information into a phenotype. The course aims to achieve these objectives through an analysis of the experimental evidences and their interpretation. Moreover, the course introduces the students to the -omic sciences (particularly to genomics), their application and the related technology. The main objective is to introduce the modern concept of large-scale genetic analysis, which involves the collection of a very large number of data in a short time, starting from which new and more challenging biological questions can be formulated. Learning outcomes GENETICS I (Cenci) A) Knowledge and understanding -Knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of the genetic material -Knowledge and understanding of the rules of genetic transmission -Knowledge and understanding of mutations and their implications -Basic knowledge on the dynamics of genes in populations as well as on the genetic mechanisms underlying evolution B) Applying knowledge and understanding - usage of a proper genetic terminology - identification of the right procedures to solve genetic problems - formulation of hypotheses on the hereditary transmission of characters - constructing and interpreting genetic maps and genealogical trees - acquisition of conceptual tools for the genetic dissection of biological systems - utilizing basic biostatistical methodologies for data analysis and hypothesis testing C) Making judgements - Acquisition of a critical judgment capacity on solving problems of formal genetics, through the study of the evolution of the gene concept from Mendel to the present day and the detailed analysis of some fundamental experiments. - Addressing questions for the elaboration and deepening of the gained information D) Communication skills - communicating the genetic concepts acquired during the course with appropriate terminology E) Learning skills - logically connecting the acquired knowledge - identification of the most relevant topics of the issues discussed during the course Learning outcomes GENETICS II (Amicone) A) Knowledge and understanding - Knowledge and understanding of genome organization - Knowledge and understanding of the genetic basis of variability - Knowledge and understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of genomes. - Knowledge of the main methods of genome analysis and DNA manipulation - Knowledge of the main methods of transcriptome analysis - Knowledge of the main methods of proteome analysis B) Applying knowledge and understanding -Interpretation of genome sequences (identification of coding and regulatory sequences) -Interpretation of the transcriptome and the hierarchical clustering of gene expression -Interpretation of proteome in different experimental and physio-pathological conditions C) Making judgements -Acquisition of a critical judgment capacity on current DNA studies and manipulation technologies. - Addressing questions for the elaboration and deepening of the gained information. D) Communication skills - Communicating the genetic concepts acquired during the course with appropriate terminology E) Learning skills - Logically connecting the acquired knowledge - Identification of the most relevant topics of the issues discussed during the course