Biology

General skills The course of Genomics is designed to provide students with an introduction to the structure, function and evolution of genomes and transcripts in humans and in other model organisms. Topics discussed will include modern genome sequencing technologies, as well the recent in silico and in vivo approaches used for functional genomics and for the functional role of emerging non-coding RNA classes (practical examples taken from recent literature will be used). The course also provides students with basic knowledge for accessing browsers and public databases for the analysis of gene expression data, GO and miRNA target prediction software. By the end of the course, students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to the study of the basic mechanisms of gene expression, as well as of complex processes such as development, cell division and differentiation, and to exploit them for a practical use in both basic and applied research. Specific skills The students who have passed the exam will be able to know and to understand (acquired knowledge) - the origin and the maintenance of the biological complexity; - the paradigm shift introduced by genomics in genetic analysis: from forward to reverse genetics. - structure and function of the genome in humans and in the main model systems; - problems and technologies of genome-wide analyses applied to biological processes; - the influence of the modern sequencing technologies for a better description and for the study of transcriptome dynamics in humans and in the main model systems; - the complex networks of interaction between the biological molecules in the mechanisms of regulation of gene expression. The students who have passed the exam will be able to (acquired expertise): - interpret the biological phenomena in a multi-scale and multi-factorial context; - interpret the results of genomic studies and to discriminate which techniques to apply according to the different problems to be dealt with in the genomic field.