Genetics and Molecular Biology

General Objectives: the main objective of the class is to provide the students with the basic knowledge on sorting and trafficking of molecules in the cell. The class will focus on protein sorting in the different cellular sub-domains. Lessons will be starting from basic cell biology concepts to evolve toward the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the spatial and functional differentiation of different cellular sub-regions. Alterations of these mechanisms will be described in relation to pathological conditions. Specific objectives: In order to pass the final exam, students will need show to have acquired knowledge on the different routes of the intracellular trafficking crucial in defying the specialization and differentiation of the cell. The concept of signal sequence as a sorting signal will be deeply described as well as the main types of transport among the different cellular compartments. The gated transport from the cytoplasm and the nucleus (and vice versa), the transport through the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria and the vesicular transport to move molecules from the different compartments of the secretory pathway and the plasma membrane. Inward vesicular transport will be also described for the endocytosis process and regulated exocytosis will be reviewed for the description of the molecular mechanisms regulating the release of the neurotransmitter at the pre-synaptic terminals. Cellular checkpoints will be presented as quality control crossroads to ensure proteins are properly sorted in the cell. Protein folding in the cytosol and in the endoplasmic reticulum will be reviewed by comparing the class of molecular chaperones that are involved. Finally, degradation pathways in the cells will be also considered focusing on the proteasome for the cytosolic proteins and the ones deriving from the endoplasmic reticulum. At the end of the class students should be able to elaborate and organize their own ideas on different molecular mechanisms the cellular functions are based on and to describe the experimental approaches that have been used to study them. Communication skills on the cellular topics described in the class will be practiced by the students through a short group-presentation by using slides with the images taken from the article they have chosen to present. This will be useful to improve the scientific language for describing cell biology problems and methodologies. Students will be studying the topics presented in the class by integrating their personal notes with scientific articles and reviews provided by the teacher. One of the objectives of the class is stimulating a critical opinion on the comprehension reading of the scientific articles. The students are welcome to develop their own interests on specific topics by interacting directly and individually with the teacher and asking for additional material. In order to connect basic cell biology topics to lab experimental approaches, at the end of the class around 5 to 7 lessons will be dedicated to seminars held by researchers from different institutes working on pathological issues linked to the class. This is very much appreciated by the students that have the chance to interact directly with researchers from different fields and to connect theoretical notions to practical issues. Moreover, this offers the student the chance to get oriented for deciding where to apply for the preparation of the final master thesis.