Objectives

The course aims to provide knowledge of i) the molecular mechanisms controlling physiological cellular functions (e.g., cell proliferation, death, senescence, differentiation), ii) how the cell regulates these functions in response to stimuli from the tissue microenvironment, iii) how it integrates these signals in order to contribute to the tissue homeostasis, iv) the alterations found in different physio-pathological conditions. The neoplastic transformation will be used as a paradigm of deregulations involving multi-level cellular function, and the liver as example of organ for physio-pathological studies. The student, once acquired knowledge of the mechanisms that regulate cell functions, will acquire skills to propose experimental approaches for the analysis of these functions both in vitro and in vivo.
These skills will be developed through simulations of scientific problems in interactive lessons, where students will develop critical skills, will apply the acquired knowledge and will discuss collectively the possible experimental approaches for their solving.

Channels

NESSUNA CANALIZZAZIONE

MARCO TRIPODI MARCO TRIPODI   Teacher profile

Programme

The Course is composed by the following topics:
- Molecular mechanisms controlling the G1/S and G2/M transitions, mitosis and cytokinesis. Mitotic and DNA damage checkpoints. Molecular control of cell differentiation. Extrinsic mechanisms regulating cell proliferation, differentiation and quiescence. Methods for the study of cell cycle (4 hours)
- Signal transduction. Specificity of receptors for growth factors. Signal integration and methods for the study of signal transduction (2 hours).
- Adhesion molecules. Cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions. Transduction of mechanical stimuli. (2 hours).
- Molecular mechanisms and functions of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Inducers and molecular mediators. Genetic and epigenetic control of EMT. (2 hours)
- Cell senescence. Phenotypic, biochemical and molecular aspects. Mechanisms driving cell senescence. Senescence and tumors. Senescence and aging. Methods for the study of senescence. (2 hours).
- Mechanisms and functions of cell death (necrosis-apoptosis-necroptosis-pyroptosis). Phenotypic, biochemical and molecular aspects of the different types of cell death. Physiological and pathological role. Main methodologies for the study of cell death. (8 hours).
- Molecular mechanisms and functions of autophagy. Physiological and pathological effects. Methods for the study of autophagy. (2 hours)
- Molecular mechanisms and functions of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) and signal transduction pathway called "non-folded protein response (UPR)". Physiological and pathological role. Interactions between ER stress, autophagy and cell death. (2 hours)
- Protein degradation processes. General aspects, molecular mechanisms and functions of protein degradation processes. Role of lysosome and proteasome (2 hours).
- Control of cellular functions in the liver tissue. Molecular control of liver physio-pathology. (6 hours)
- Mechanisms controlling inter-cellular communication: microvesicles and exosomes. Diagnostic and therapeutic applications for the study of human diseases. (2 hours)
- Epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Non-coding RNAs (microRNAs and lncRNAs) and epigenetic mechanisms. Physiological and pathological role. Methods for the study of epigenetic modifications (2 hours)
- Molecular basis of neoplastic transformation. Loss of control mechanisms of the main cellular functions in tumor cells. Analysis of possible molecular therapies (2 hours)
Furthermore, the following activities are planned:
- Analysis of a scientific project with discussion in the classroom (4 hours)
- In-depth seminars on: Proteomics: technologies and applications (2 hours); Protein functional regulation: cellular localization, protein-protein interactions, post-translational modifications (2 hours)
- Practical exercise: application of cytofluorimetry to the study of cell cycle and apoptosis (2 hours)

Adopted texts

The instructional materials, provided by the teachers, include recent research articles and reviews, published in international journals, and the educational-informatic material utilized during lessons (slides, videos, tutorials).

Prerequisites

At the beginning of the teaching activities the student must have the following basic knowledge: - Structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells - Mechanisms of cell division and DNA replication - Flow of genetic information - Regulation of gene expression - Basic principles of genetics - Structure and functions of biological macromolecules - Basic techniques of genetic engineering - Cell signaling

Exam modes

The exam consists of a written test at the end of the course with open questions, aimed at verifying the ability of the student to solve a scientific problem on the topics covered in the course, followed by an oral check of the acquired knowledge.
The assessment will take into account the reasoning ability of the student and the critical use of the acquired knowledge, demonstrated in both tests.

Exam reservation date start Exam reservation date end Exam date
28/12/2018 26/01/2019 28/01/2019
02/01/2019 16/02/2019 18/02/2019
15/01/2019 03/03/2019 05/03/2019
20/03/2019 06/04/2019 08/04/2019
02/05/2019 10/06/2019 12/06/2019
02/06/2019 09/07/2019 11/07/2019
20/08/2019 14/09/2019 16/09/2019
06/11/2019 16/12/2019 18/12/2019

ALESSANDRA MARCHETTI ALESSANDRA MARCHETTI   Teacher profile

Programme

The Course is composed by the following topics:
- Molecular mechanisms controlling the G1/S and G2/M transitions, mitosis and cytokinesis. Mitotic and DNA damage checkpoints. Molecular control of cell differentiation. Extrinsic mechanisms regulating cell proliferation, differentiation and quiescence. Methods for the study of cell cycle (4 hours)
- Signal transduction. Specificity of receptors for growth factors. Signal integration and methods for the study of signal transduction (2 hours).
- Adhesion molecules. Cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions. Transduction of mechanical stimuli. (2 hours).
- Molecular mechanisms and functions of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Inducers and molecular mediators. Genetic and epigenetic control of EMT. (2 hours)
- Cell senescence. Phenotypic, biochemical and molecular aspects. Mechanisms driving cell senescence. Senescence and tumors. Senescence and aging. Methods for the study of senescence. (2 hours).
- Mechanisms and functions of cell death (necrosis-apoptosis-necroptosis-pyroptosis). Phenotypic, biochemical and molecular aspects of the different types of cell death. Physiological and pathological role. Main methodologies for the study of cell death. (8 hours).
- Molecular mechanisms and functions of autophagy. Physiological and pathological effects. Methods for the study of autophagy. (2 hours)
- Molecular mechanisms and functions of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) and signal transduction pathway called "non-folded protein response (UPR)". Physiological and pathological role. Interactions between ER stress, autophagy and cell death. (2 hours)
- Protein degradation processes. General aspects, molecular mechanisms and functions of protein degradation processes. Role of lysosome and proteasome (2 hours).
- Control of cellular functions in the liver tissue. Molecular control of liver physio-pathology. (6 hours)
- Mechanisms controlling inter-cellular communication: microvesicles and exosomes. Diagnostic and therapeutic applications for the study of human diseases. (2 hours)
- Epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Non-coding RNAs (microRNAs and lncRNAs) and epigenetic mechanisms. Physiological and pathological role. Methods for the study of epigenetic modifications (2 hours)
- Molecular basis of neoplastic transformation. Loss of control mechanisms of the main cellular functions in tumor cells. Analysis of possible molecular therapies (2 hours)
Furthermore, the following activities are planned:
- Analysis of a scientific project with discussion in the classroom (4 hours)
- In-depth seminars on: Proteomics: technologies and applications (2 hours); Protein functional regulation: cellular localization, protein-protein interactions, post-translational modifications (2 hours)
- Practical exercise: application of cytofluorimetry to the study of cell cycle and apoptosis (2 hours)

Adopted texts

The instructional materials, provided by the teachers, include recent research articles and reviews, published in international journals, and the educational-informatic material utilized during lessons (slides, videos, tutorials).

Prerequisites

At the beginning of the teaching activities the student must have the following basic knowledge: - Structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells - Mechanisms of cell division and DNA replication - Flow of genetic information - Regulation of gene expression - Basic principles of genetics - Structure and functions of biological macromolecules - Basic techniques of genetic engineering - Cell signaling

Frequency modes

The attendance is mandatory.

Exam modes

The exam consists of a written test at the end of the course with open questions, aimed at verifying the ability of the student to solve a scientific problem on the topics covered in the course, followed by an oral check of the acquired knowledge.
The assessment will take into account the reasoning ability of the student and the critical use of the acquired knowledge, demonstrated in both tests.

LAURA STRONATI LAURA STRONATI   Teacher profile

Programme

The Course is composed by the following topics:
- Molecular mechanisms controlling the G1/S and G2/M transitions, mitosis and cytokinesis. Mitotic and DNA damage checkpoints. Molecular control of cell differentiation. Extrinsic mechanisms regulating cell proliferation, differentiation and quiescence. Methods for the study of cell cycle (4 hours)
- Signal transduction. Specificity of receptors for growth factors. Signal integration and methods for the study of signal transduction (2 hours).
- Adhesion molecules. Cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions. Transduction of mechanical stimuli. (2 hours).
- Molecular mechanisms and functions of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Inducers and molecular mediators. Genetic and epigenetic control of EMT. (2 hours)
- Cell senescence. Phenotypic, biochemical and molecular aspects. Mechanisms driving cell senescence. Senescence and tumors. Senescence and aging. Methods for the study of senescence. (2 hours).
- Mechanisms and functions of cell death (necrosis-apoptosis-necroptosis-pyroptosis). Phenotypic, biochemical and molecular aspects of the different types of cell death. Physiological and pathological role. Main methodologies for the study of cell death. (8 hours).
- Molecular mechanisms and functions of autophagy. Physiological and pathological effects. Methods for the study of autophagy. (2 hours)
- Molecular mechanisms and functions of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) and signal transduction pathway called "non-folded protein response (UPR)". Physiological and pathological role. Interactions between ER stress, autophagy and cell death. (2 hours)
- Protein degradation processes. General aspects, molecular mechanisms and functions of protein degradation processes. Role of lysosome and proteasome (2 hours).
- Control of cellular functions in the liver tissue. Molecular control of liver physio-pathology. (6 hours)
- Mechanisms controlling inter-cellular communication: microvesicles and exosomes. Diagnostic and therapeutic applications for the study of human diseases. (2 hours)
- Epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Non-coding RNAs (microRNAs and lncRNAs) and epigenetic mechanisms. Physiological and pathological role. Methods for the study of epigenetic modifications (2 hours)
- Molecular basis of neoplastic transformation. Loss of control mechanisms of the main cellular functions in tumor cells. Analysis of possible molecular therapies (2 hours)
Furthermore, the following activities are planned:
- Analysis of a scientific project with discussion in the classroom (4 hours)
- In-depth seminars on: Proteomics: technologies and applications (2 hours); Protein functional regulation: cellular localization, protein-protein interactions, post-translational modifications (2 hours)
- Practical exercise: application of cytofluorimetry to the study of cell cycle and apoptosis (2 hours)

Adopted texts

Articles and reviews provided by the teacher
Didactical materials used by the teacher

Prerequisites

At the beginning of the teaching activities the student must have the following basic knowledge: - Structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells - Mechanisms of cell division and DNA replication - Flow of genetic information - Regulation of gene expression - Basic principles of genetics - Structure and functions of biological macromolecules - Basic techniques of genetic engineering - Cell signaling

Exam modes

The exam consists of a written test at the end of the course with open questions, aimed at verifying the ability of the student to solve a scientific problem on the topics covered in the course, followed by an oral check of the acquired knowledge.
The assessment will take into account the reasoning ability of the student and the critical use of the acquired knowledge, demonstrated in both tests.

Course sheet
  • Academic year: 2018/2019
  • Curriculum: Biomolecolare
  • Year: First year
  • Semester: First semester
  • SSD: BIO/13
  • CFU: 6
Activities
  • Attività formative caratterizzanti
  • Ambito disciplinare: Discipline biotecnologiche comuni
  • Lecture (Hours): 48
  • Other (Hours): 10
  • CFU: 6.00
  • SSD: BIO/13