Biotechnologies

LAURA STRONATI

The Course aims to provide knowledge of the structure and organization of the cell, from prokaryotes to eukaryotic animal and plant cells, as well as understanding the functions aimed at maintaining the homeostasis of the tissue to which it belongs, mentioning what could be the pathological consequences of a malfunction or disregulations of some of these functions.
The student will therefore acquire the basic knowledge on the structure and function of the cell, which will also enable him to understand some basic methods, instruments and procedures used for experimentation in the field.

Knowledge of biology and chemistry from high school

1. Introduction to the cell biology
The discovery of cells. The fundamental properties of the cell. The prokaryotic cell. The eukaryotic cell. Experimental models. (2 ore)

2. The chemical components of a cell
Chemical bonds. The nature of macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins. (2 ore)

3. Bioenergetics
Use of energy in the cell. Chemical reactions. Redox reactions. Notes on the properties of enzymes. Activated transporters: ATP, NADPH, NADH. (3 ore)

4. Proteins
Protein structure. Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure. Properties of the peptide bond. Relationship between structure and function of proteins. Post-translational modifications. Enzymes and their regulation. (3 ore)

5. DNA and chromosomes
DNA structure. Organization of DNA in prokaryotes: a circular and plasmid DNA molecule. DNA organization in eukaryotes: nucleosomes, chromatin, chromosomes. Eucromatin and heterochromatin. (3 ore)

6. DNA replication and repair
DNA replication in prokaryotes. DNA polymerase and its properties. Replication fork structure, leading strand and lagging strand. Okazaki fragments. DNA replication in eukaryotes. Telomeres and telomerase. Main mechanisms of DNA repair. (4 ore)

7. From DNA to proteins
Transcription in prokaryotic cells. The eukaryotic gene. Transcription in eukaryotic cells. RNA classes: rRNA, tRNA, mRNA, miRNA, snRNA, snoRNA, lncRNA. Properties of the genetic code. Translation in prokaryotes. Translation in eukaryotes. (8 ore)

8. Control of gene expression
Definition of promoter. Regulatory mechanisms of transcription in prokaryotes. The operon. Regulation of transcription in eucaryotes. Transcription switches. General and specific transcription factors. Enhancers, silencers, insulators. Post-transcriptional control of gene expression: messenger stability, translation regulation, protein stability. Epigenetic modifications. Cell differentiation. (8 ore)

9. Membrane structure and transport
Membrane structure. Double lipid layer. Membrane assembly. Double lipid layer and fluidity of the membrane. Membrane proteins. Dynamic nature of the plasma membrane. Principles of transmembrane transport. Membrane transporters and their functions. Ionic channels and membrane potential. Ionic channels and signaling in nerve cells. (6 ore)

10. Cell metabolism and energy production
Metabolism. Glycolysis. Citric acid cycle. Biosynthetic pathways. Metabolism regulation. Structure and function of mitochondria. Mitochondria and oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondria and ATP synthesis. Molecular mechanisms of electron transport and proton pumps. Structure and function of chloroplasts. Photosynthesis. (8 ore)

11. Intracellular compartments and protein sorting
Membrane-enclosed organelles. Protein sorting. Vesicular transport. Exocytosis. Endocytosis. (5 ore)

12. The cytoskeleton
Intermediate filaments. Microtubules. Actin filaments. Muscle contraction. (3 ore)

13. Cell division
Overview of the cell cycle. Cell cycle control system. Apoptosis. Mitosis and meiosis. (6 ore)

14. Cell communication
Overview of cell communication. Extracellular signal molecules and their receptors. G-protein-coupled receptors and intracellular messengers. Signal transduction by G-protein-coupled receptors. Enzyme-coupled receptors. Tyrosine-kinase receptors. The Ras-MAP kinase pathway. The Jak/Stat pathway. The PI-3/Akt pathway. Serine-threonine kinase receptors. (5 ore)

15. Cells in their social context
Cell junctions and cell-cell-adhesion. The extracellular matrix and connective tissue. Collagen. The epithelial tissue. Staminal cells. Cancer. (5 ore)

16. Basic cell biology techniques
Optical, electronic, fluorescence, confocal microscope. Cell cultures. Primary and immortalized cell cultures. Overview of immunocytochemistry. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Overview of flow cytometry. (5 ore)

- B. Alberts, D. Bray, K. Hopkin, A. Johnson, J. Lewis, M. Raff, K. Roberts, P. Walter – “L’Essenziale di Biologia molecolare della cellula” – casa editrice Zanichelli
- Gerald Karp – “Biologia cellulare e molecolare – casa editrice Edises

Frontal lessons

Non mandatory attendance

Oral exam