Studying at the University of Verona

Here you can find information on the organisational aspects of the Programme, lecture timetables, learning activities and useful contact details for your time at the University, from enrolment to graduation.

This information is intended exclusively for students already enrolled in this course.
If you are a new student interested in enrolling, you can find information about the course of study on the course page:

Laurea in Biotecnologie - Enrollment from 2025/2026

The Study Plan includes all modules, teaching and learning activities that each student will need to undertake during their time at the University.
Please select your Study Plan based on your enrollment year.

1° Year

ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
12
B
BIO/04
6
A
FIS/07
English B2
6
E
-

2° Year  activated in the A.Y. 2024/2025

ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
6
B
BIO/18
1 module between the following
1 module between the following
6
C
FIS/07

3° Year  It will be activated in the A.Y. 2025/2026

ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
1 module among the following
6
B
ING-IND/25
1 module between the following
6
B
BIO/07
Training
9
F
-
Final exam
3
E
-
activated in the A.Y. 2024/2025
ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
6
B
BIO/18
1 module between the following
1 module between the following
6
C
FIS/07
It will be activated in the A.Y. 2025/2026
ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
1 module among the following
6
B
ING-IND/25
1 module between the following
6
B
BIO/07
Training
9
F
-
Final exam
3
E
-

Legend | Type of training activity (TTA)

TAF (Type of Educational Activity) All courses and activities are classified into different types of educational activities, indicated by a letter.




S Placements in companies, public or private institutions and professional associations

Teaching code

4S008193

Credits

6

Coordinator

Luca Dall'Osto

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

BIO/04 - PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

Courses Single

Authorized with reserve

The teaching is organized as follows:

Teoria

Credits

5

Period

Semester 2

Academic staff

Luca Dall'Osto

Laboratorio

Credits

1

Period

Semester 2

Academic staff

Stefano Cazzaniga

Learning objectives

The course of biochemistry is intended to offer an integrated view of some fundamental aspects of the primary and secondary metabolism of plants and their integration and mutual influence. The course aims to define some of the main metabolic pathways and to provide the basis for metabolic analysis using biochemical, genetic and biophysical methods. Theoretical basics will be supplemented by the illustration of biotechnological applications of the engineering of the metabolic pathways involved. Particularly important will be the inhibition of photosynthesis by oxygen and its consequences for the productivity of algae and crops. Finally, the biogeochemical carbon cycle will be discussed.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Knowledge of General Biochemistry, Plant Biology, Cell Biology, Physics and Chemistry are required

Program

Part 1: Light as a source of energy and information in plants: control mechanisms of primary and secondary metabolism.
Part 2: Electron transport and ATP synthesis in bacteria, green algae and higher plants. Cyclic and linear transport. Electronic transport control.
Part 3: Carbon fixation: Calvin cycle, Hatch and Slack cycle, CAM metabolism. Perspectives of modification of metabolism in cultivated plants.
Part 4: Biosynthesis and mobilization of starch in chloroplast and leucoplasts. Metabolic relationships between chloroplast and cytoplasm. Transport of sugars into the plant.
Part 5: metabolism of hydrogen as an energy source. Hydrogenases in green algae, cyanobacteria and thermophilic bacteria. Bioenergetics of hydrogen production.
Part 6: Nitrogen metabolism. Symbiotic and bacterial fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. Nitrogen organization. Biosynthesis of essential amino acids.
Part 7: Sulfur metabolism. Biosynthesis of methionine and cysteine. Glutathione, phytochelatins and the detoxification of xenobiotic substances. Herbicides and pollutants.
Part 8: Secondary metabolism. The plant as a biosynthetic machine. A): terpenoids. Biotechnology of carotenoids for the production of dyes, vitamins and antioxidants. Alkaloids: biosynthesis and production of pharmaceutical products in plants. Phenylpropanoids: organization and genetic modification of a metabolic pathway for the production of fibers, pigments and other food additives.
Part 9: Biosynthesis and degradation of lipids. Role in the adaptation of plants to temperature. Lipids as a substrate for signal translation and biosynthesis of jasmonic acid.
Part 10: Production and storage of seed reserve proteins. Mobilization of protein reserves.

Didactic methods

The teacher will use lectures and group laboratory experiences.

Learning assessment procedures

The assessment of learning outcomes involves a written exam composed of questions deriving from (a) practicals, b) theory and (c) an open question requiring the description of one of the major metabolic pathways with specification of the chemical formulas of the intermediate metabolites and name of the enzymes involved. The report on the practicals will be evaluated.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD), who intend to request the adaptation of the exam, must follow the instructions given HERE

Evaluation criteria

The exam aims to verify the degree of knowledge gained, the analytical ability, the ability to connect knowledge in a systemic way and in a precise and organic way, knowledge and the ability to reason on the metabolic pathways of the organicaction of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final grade will be composed of the sum of the results of the multiple solution answers, the question on metabolic pathways and the report of the laboratory activities. The final evaluation is expressed out of thirty.

Exam language

Italiano

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