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MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Course objectives

The course deals with the genetic material, the flow of genetic information and the mechanisms that control maintenance, variability and regulation of this flow. Main objective of the course is to provide the students a basic knowledge on biological macromolecules (DNA, RNA, Proteins) their recognition and interaction, on the processes of transmission, conservation and expression of the genetic material and of their regulation. Prerequisite of the course is therefore a basic knowledge of genetics, chemistry , biochemistry, cell biology and thermodynamics. A) Knowledge acquired Students will be able to discuss problems on the macromolecules involved in the storage and frlow of genetic information, on the mechanisms that ensure its transmission and maintenance, and on the regulation of its flow. In addition, they will be updated on the main techniques and approaches of molecular biology and recombinant DNA. B) General skills Students will be able to pursue a research career in basic or applied biology and biomedicine in Italy and abroad; to exploit their molecular biology knowledge to critically analyse the impact of biotechnologies, gene therapy, gene editing on society and the environment; to pursue a (biology) teaching career. C) Making judgments Students will be able to collect and interpret scientific data related to the basic experiments of molecular biology; D) Communication skills Students will be able to communicate information, ideas, and solutions to both specialists and non-interlocutors. E) Learning skills Students will be able to develop the necessary skills to continue with molecular studies with an excellent degree of autonomy

Channel 1
RAFFAELE DELLO IOIO Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
1. Introduction to Molecular Biology o Overview of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structures o Central dogma of molecular biology 2. Nucleic Acid Structure and Function o Chemical components: bases, sugars, and phosphodiester bonds o DNA conformations: B-DNA and alternative structures o DNA topology and the role of topoisomerases 3. DNA Replication Mechanisms o Replication machinery in prokaryotes vs. eukaryotes o Initiation, elongation, and termination processes o Fidelity and proofreading mechanisms 4. Transcription Processes o RNA polymerases and transcription factors o Promoter recognition and initiation complexes o Transcriptional regulation: operons in prokaryotes, enhancers/silencers in eukaryotes 5. RNA Processing and Modification o mRNA capping, splicing, and polyadenylation in eukaryotes o Role of snRNA and snoRNA in RNA maturation o RNA editing and transport mechanisms 6. Translation and Protein Synthesis o Ribosome structure and function o Translation initiation, elongation, and termination o Post-translational modifications and protein targeting 7. Chromatin Structure and Gene Regulation o Nucleosome organization and higher-order chromatin structures o Histone modifications and chromatin remodeling o Epigenetic regulation of gene expression 8. Molecular Biology Techniques o Nucleic acid extraction and quantification o Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR) o Southern and Northern blotting techniques o Cloning strategies and use of reporter genes o Methods for analyzing protein-DNA interactions and protein localization
Prerequisites
chemestry, organic chemestry, physics
Books
Molecular Biology Watson et al.
Frequency
consigliata
Exam mode
test plus interview
Channel 2
SABRINA SABATINI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Prerequisites
To successfully follow the course, students should have a basic knowledge of general biology, chemistry, and biochemistry, with particular attention to the structure and function of biomolecules. Familiarity with the fundamental concepts of genetics and the main chemical reactions occurring in biological systems is also required. Basic knowledge of physics and the ability to use scientific language are considered helpful for understanding the topics covered.
Books
Watson JD, Baker TA, Bell SP, Gann A, Levine M. - Molecular Biology Of The Gene, 7Th Edn
STEFANO CACCHIONE Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION STRUCTURE OF MACROMOLECULES DNA STRUCTURE DNA REPLICATION DNA RECOMBINATION DNA REPAIR BACTERIAL TRANSCRIPTION TRANSLATION REGULATION OF BACTERIAL TRANSCRIPTION EUKARYOTIC GENOMES EUKARYOTIC TRANSCRIPTION REGULATION OF EUKARYOTIC TRANSCRIPTION RNA PROCESSING AND POST-TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATION CHROMATIN METHODS OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of Biochemistry and Genetics
Books
Lewin, Il gene X, Zanichelli; Watson et al, Biologia Molecolare del Gene (VII edizione) Zanichelli; Amaldi et al, BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE (III edizione), Ambrosiana
Teaching mode
The course is based mostly on class lectures. Seminars that analyze in depth specific arguments will be also provided. Students in small groups will be guided during the expeerimental practises, which will deal on basic Molecular Biology techniques (recombinant DNA, restriction enzymes, ligation, cloning, PCR, gel electrophoresis)
Frequency
Face-to-face lectures and lab practice
Exam mode
The student's preparation will be evaluated through an oral exam, on the basis of his ability to describe the arguments of the course in a clear and scientifically rigorous manner. Usually, the oral exam takes at least thirty minutes
Lesson mode
Face-to-face lectures and lab practice
  • Lesson code1011772
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseBiology
  • CurriculumBiosanitario
  • Year2nd year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDBIO/11
  • CFU9