CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BASIS OF LIFE Single channel

Chair (Coordinator) and Rapporteur: ALESSANDRA VACCA

Module 1: APPLIED BIOLOGY

Activity type
Scienze biomediche
SSD
BIO/13
Year
N/D
Semester
N/D
CFU
2
Hours distribution
20 classroom hours
Lecturers
CARMINE MANCONE

Module 2: GENETICS

Activity type
Scienze biomediche
SSD
MED/03
Year
N/D
Semester
N/D
CFU
1
Hours distribution
10 classroom hours
Lecturers
IRENE BOTTILLO

Module 3: GENERAL PATHOLOGY

Activity type
Scienze biomediche
SSD
MED/04
Year
N/D
Semester
N/D
CFU
2
Hours distribution
20 classroom hours
Lecturers
ALESSANDRA VACCA
ZEIN MERSINI BESHARAT

Module 4: MICROBIOLOGY

Activity type
Scienze biomediche
SSD
MED/07
Year
N/D
Semester
N/D
CFU
2
Hours distribution
20 classroom hours
Lecturers
MARTA MORETTI

Learning outcomes

The course aims to convey the notions concerning General Pathology, from general etiology including pathologies by chemical and physical causes to the concept of homeostasis, the causes of disease, inflammation and the physiopathology of thermoregulation. The course allows students to acquire further knowledge regarding cellular adaptation and neoplasms.

Prerequisites

No requirements

Programme

Module: APPLIED BIOLOGY
The study of life: Origin of life. Outline of Evolution. Cellular theory.
Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes: shapes, sizes and structure. Virus.
The chemistry of life: Biological role of the main elements, molecules and biological macromolecules. Structure and function of polysaccharides and proteins.
The plasma membrane: structure and permeability. Membrane proteins. Transportation of solutes. Cellular secretion. Phagocytosis and Exocytosis.
The intracellular membrane system: structures and functions of the smooth and wrinkled endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus. Lysosomes.
The cytoskeleton: microtubules, intermediate filaments and microfilaments; cellular junctions; cellular communication.
Energy: enzymes and biological reactions. Structure and function of the Mitochondria. Routes of production of the ATP. Glycolysis and the Krebs cycle.
The nucleus: DNA, chromatin, chromosomes, the human genome; the eukaryotic gene; DNA duplication
The expression of genetic information: transcription of DNA, maturation of primary transcripts, the genetic code. Ribosome and translation; fate and post-translational modifications of proteins.
Reproduction: Asexual reproduction. Cell reproduction of somatic cells of eukaryotes. Mitosis. Cell reproduction during eukaryotic gametogenesis. Meiosis.



Module: GENETICS
N/D
Module: GENERAL PATHOLOGY
General etiology:
Pathologies due to chemical and physical causes
Concept of homeostasis. Causes of disease: ionizing and exciting radiation; high and low temperatures; electricity; chemical causes; (smoking; alcohol; drugs).

Cellular pathology
Causes of the damage. Reversible and irreversible damage. Cellular response to damage. Cell damage morphology. Necrosis. Apoptosis. Cellular degeneration. Accumulation mechanisms. Steatosis
Causes of fatty liver.

Inflammation
Stages of the inflammatory process. Angiophlogosis and histophlogosis. Acute and chronic inflammation. Cells involved in inflammatory processes. Chemical mediators of inflammation. Reparative phenomena.

Pathophysiology of thermoregulation
Mechanisms of thermoregulation. Pathogenesis of fever. Action of pyrogens. Fever classification.

Cell adaptation
Atrophy. Hypertrophy. Hyperplasia. Metaplasia. Dysplasia

Neoplasms
The neoplastic cell: morphology and characteristics. Cellular and tissue atypia. Benign tumors and malignant tumors. Oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Definition and classification of neoplasms. Concepts of mutation, promotion and progression. Invasion and Metastasis. Method of metastatic spread. Etiopathogenesis of neoplastic cells.



Module: MICROBIOLOGY
1. Bacteria: Morphology and Structure of the Bacterial Cell
Structure, Composition, and Resistance of Bacterial Spores
Antibiotics
Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence
Nosocomial Infections
Sterilization
General Characteristics of Some Major Bacteria of Medical Interest
2. Viruses:
Effects on the Host Cell and Host Defense Mechanisms
Pathogenesis of Viral Infections
Examples of Viruses Affecting Global Health (HIV, HPV, and Coronavirus)
3. Fungi: Introduction to Mycology

Books

Module: APPLIED BIOLOGY
George Plopper. Principi di Biologia della cellula. Ed Zanichelli.


Module: GENETICS
N/D
Module: GENERAL PATHOLOGY
1) Patologia Generale e Fisiopatologia Generale- Per i corsi di Laurea in Professioni Sanitarie
Autore G.M.Pontieri, casa editrice PICCIN

2)Elementi di Patologia Generale- Per i corsi di Laurea in Professioni Sanitarie
Autore G.M.Pontieri, casa editrice PICCIN

3) Principi di PATOLOGIA GENERALE- Per Lauree pre-specialistiche
Autori B.M. Veneziani, I. Covelli, casa editrice FLORIO



Module: MICROBIOLOGY
PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA Eudes Lanciotti (Casa Editrice Ambrosiana)
MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA Murray P.R. et al. (Masson)
LE BASI DELLA MICROBIOLOGIAHarvey RA, Champe PC, Fisher BD (Zanichelli Editore)
PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA La Placa M (Esculapio Editore)


Bibliography

Module: APPLIED BIOLOGY
N/D
Module: GENETICS
N/D
Module: GENERAL PATHOLOGY
N/D
Module: MICROBIOLOGY
N/D

Lessons mode

Lectures in class

Frequency

Mandatory

Exam mode

Oral exam

Example exam questions

Open question on course material

Arguments

Module: APPLIED BIOLOGY

  • 10 two-hour lessons



Module: GENETICS



Module: GENERAL PATHOLOGY



Module: MICROBIOLOGY
  • I Funghi: Introduzione alla micologia
    • Books: PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA Eudes Lanciotti (Casa Editrice

      Ambrosiana)MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA Murray P.R. et al. (Masson)LE BASI DELLA

      MICROBIOLOGIAHarvey RA, Champe PC, Fisher BD  (Zanichelli 

      Editore)PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA La Placa M (Esculapio Editore)

  • 2. Antibiotics
    • Books: PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA Eudes Lanciotti (Casa Editrice

      Ambrosiana)MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA Murray P.R. et al. (Masson)LE BASI DELLA

      MICROBIOLOGIAHarvey RA, Champe PC, Fisher BD  (Zanichelli 

      Editore)PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA La Placa M (Esculapio Editore)

  • 3. Mechanisms of bacterial pathogenicity and virulence
    • Books: PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA Eudes Lanciotti (Casa Editrice

      Ambrosiana)MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA Murray P.R. et al. (Masson)LE BASI DELLA

      MICROBIOLOGIAHarvey RA, Champe PC, Fisher BD  (Zanichelli 

      Editore)PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA La Placa M (Esculapio Editore)

  • 4. Nosocomial infections
    • Books: PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA Eudes Lanciotti (Casa Editrice

      Ambrosiana)MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA Murray P.R. et al. (Masson)LE BASI DELLA

      MICROBIOLOGIAHarvey RA, Champe PC, Fisher BD  (Zanichelli 

      Editore)PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA La Placa M (Esculapio Editore)

  • 5. Sterilization
    • Books: PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA Eudes Lanciotti (Casa Editrice

      Ambrosiana)MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA Murray P.R. et al. (Masson)LE BASI DELLA

      MICROBIOLOGIAHarvey RA, Champe PC, Fisher BD  (Zanichelli 

      Editore)PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA La Placa M (Esculapio Editore)

  • 6. General characteristics of some major medically relevant bacteria
    • Books: PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA Eudes Lanciotti (Casa Editrice

      Ambrosiana)MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA Murray P.R. et al. (Masson)LE BASI DELLA

      MICROBIOLOGIAHarvey RA, Champe PC, Fisher BD  (Zanichelli 

      Editore)PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA La Placa M (Esculapio Editore)

  • 7. Viruses: effects on the host cell and host defense mechanisms
    • Books: PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA Eudes Lanciotti (Casa Editrice

      Ambrosiana)MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA Murray P.R. et al. (Masson)LE BASI DELLA

      MICROBIOLOGIAHarvey RA, Champe PC, Fisher BD  (Zanichelli 

      Editore)PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA La Placa M (Esculapio Editore)

  • 7. Viruses: effects on the host cell and host defense mechanisms
    • Books: PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA Eudes Lanciotti (Casa Editrice

      Ambrosiana)MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA Murray P.R. et al. (Masson)LE BASI DELLA

      MICROBIOLOGIAHarvey RA, Champe PC, Fisher BD  (Zanichelli 

      Editore)PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA La Placa M (Esculapio Editore)

  • 9. Examples of viruses of global health relevance (HIV, HPV, and Coronaviruses)
    • Books: PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA Eudes Lanciotti (Casa Editrice

      Ambrosiana)MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA Murray P.R. et al. (Masson)LE BASI DELLA

      MICROBIOLOGIAHarvey RA, Champe PC, Fisher BD  (Zanichelli 

      Editore)PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA La Placa M (Esculapio Editore)

  • 10. Fungi: introduction to mycology
    • Books: PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA Eudes Lanciotti (Casa Editrice

      Ambrosiana)MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA Murray P.R. et al. (Masson)LE BASI DELLA

      MICROBIOLOGIAHarvey RA, Champe PC, Fisher BD  (Zanichelli 

      Editore)PRINCIPI DI MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA La Placa M (Esculapio Editore)


Sustainability goals

  • Goal3
  • Goal4
  • Goal5
  • Academic year2026/2027
  • Degree program to which the course belongsImaging and Radiotherapy techniques - Course A - Roma Azienda Policlinico Umberto I
  • Mandatory presenceNo
  • Languageita
  • CFU7 CFU, distributed among 4 integrated didactic modules
  • Total duration70 hours