Medicine and Surgery HT

The Molecular Biology module provides insights into structure, organization, replication and repair of the genetic material, as well as on the flow of genetic information through transcription and translation. Methods for gene expression analysis and next generation sequencing will be described. The role of non-coding RNAs and their relevance in biomedicine will be discussed. Finally, some biomedically relevant translational aspects of gene silencing (RNA interference and antisense oligonucleotides) and genome editing (CRISPR-Cas9) will be discussed. The course is organized in 12 lectures on the following topics: 1) Nucleic acids: structure and functions 2) Eukaryotic chromatin and histone code. 3) DNA replication. 4) DNA damage and repair mechanisms. 5) Transcription and transcriptional regulation in prokaryotes. 6) Transcription and transcriptional regulation in eukaryotes. 7) Maturation of eukaryotic mRNAs and RNA editing. 8) Translation and translational control. 9) Non-coding RNAs and their biomedical relevance. 10) Techniques for gene expression analysis: microarrays, NGS and real-time PCR. 12) RNA interference, antisense oligonucleotides and biomedical applications. 13) Genome editing: strategies and therapeutical applications.

Competence in Chemistry and Propaedeutic Biochemistry as well as in Biology, as presented in the courses provided in the first year, is required. These prerequisites are necessary to understand the fundamental concepts of biochemistry and molecular biology. More in detail, general chemistry and organic chemistry provide the foundations for understanding the structure and properties of molecules and biomolecules, respectively, whereas general biology provides the basics for understanding cells and living organisms.

Any university-level textbook of Molecular Biology covering the syllabus can be considered adequate, and students can choose the manual that seems to them clearer and more responsive to their needs. Said so, here below are some textbooks where the topics covered in class can be found: - Alberts B. et al. L’essenziale di Biologia molecolare della cellula 5a Edizione Zanichelli 2020 - Amaldi A. et al. BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE 3a Edizione Editrice Ambrosiana 2018 - Watson J.D. et al. BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE DEL GENE 7a Edizione Zanichelli 2015 - Additional/supplementary material made available by the teacher either on the e-learning or Classroom platforms.

Attendance is mandatory, at least for 67% of the lectures, as per current regulation.

The assessment method consists of 3-4 questions aimed at evaluating the knowledge acquired by the student on the various topics covered during the course. The exam also includes the description of at least one metabolic pathway. To pass the exam you must achieve a grade of no less than 18/30. The student must demonstrate that he/she has acquired sufficient knowledge of the biochemistry and molecular biology topics covered in class, that he/she has understood the basic principles and mechanisms underlying the structure-function relationships of biological macromolecules and the regulation of gene expression. Student should also be aware that knowledge of molecular structures represents the conceptual basis for understanding metabolic processes and cellular pathophysiology. To achieve a score of 30/30 cum laude, students must demonstrate that they acquired excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course, being able to coordinate them in a logical and coherent way. For the purposes of the final evaluation of the BIOCHEMISTRY exam, the preparation in each module of the course (biochemistry and molecular biology) will be evaluated, which contributes to the evaluation of the final exam in proportion to the respective number of training credits.

Teachers of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology modules provide teaching through frontal lessons with audiovisual aid and lesson scheduling. The topics covered can be found in the recommended textbooks and in the auxiliary teaching material provided by the teachers and made available to students on the e-learning site or on Classroom. Teachers remain available for clarifications and explanations during office hours.