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.
Academic calendar
The academic calendar shows the deadlines and scheduled events that are relevant to students, teaching and technical-administrative staff of the University. Public holidays and University closures are also indicated. The academic year normally begins on 1 October each year and ends on 30 September of the following year.
Course calendar
The Academic Calendar sets out the degree programme lecture and exam timetables, as well as the relevant university closure dates..
Period | From | To |
---|---|---|
I semestre | Oct 1, 2013 | Jan 31, 2014 |
II semestre | Mar 3, 2014 | Jun 13, 2014 |
Session | From | To |
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Sessione straordinaria | Feb 3, 2014 | Feb 28, 2014 |
Sessione estiva | Jun 16, 2014 | Jul 31, 2014 |
Sessione autunnale | Sep 1, 2014 | Sep 30, 2014 |
Session | From | To |
---|---|---|
Sessione autunnale | Oct 10, 2013 | Oct 10, 2013 |
Sessione straordinaria | Dec 13, 2013 | Dec 13, 2013 |
Sessione invernale | Mar 13, 2014 | Mar 13, 2014 |
Sessione estiva | Jul 17, 2014 | Jul 17, 2014 |
Period | From | To |
---|---|---|
Vacanze Natalizie | Dec 22, 2013 | Jan 6, 2014 |
Vacanze di Pasqua | Apr 17, 2014 | Apr 22, 2014 |
Festa del S. Patrono S. Zeno | May 21, 2014 | May 21, 2014 |
Vacanze Estive | Aug 11, 2014 | Aug 15, 2014 |
Exam calendar
Exam dates and rounds are managed by the relevant Science and Engineering Teaching and Student Services Unit.
To view all the exam sessions available, please use the Exam dashboard on ESSE3.
If you forgot your login details or have problems logging in, please contact the relevant IT HelpDesk, or check the login details recovery web page.
Academic staff
Cecchi Franco
franco.cecchi@univr.it 045 802 7964 - 7965Vallini Giovanni
giovanni.vallini@univr.it 045 802 7098; studio dottorandi: 045 802 7095Study Plan
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
Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
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2° Year activated in the A.Y. 2014/2015
Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
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Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
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Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
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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.
Secondary metabolism and metabolic engineering (2013/2014)
Teaching code
4S02771
Teacher
Coordinator
Credits
6
Language
Italian
Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)
BIO/04 - PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
Period
II semestre dal Mar 3, 2014 al Jun 13, 2014.
Learning outcomes
The course covers the major groups of secondary metabolites in plants and microorganisms, from the perspectives of biochemistry and biosynthesys, with references to how genetic engineering can be used to manipulate levels of secondary metabolites of economic value, as well as those of importance to health and human diet. The course of secondary metabolism is proposed to provide an integrated view of some basic aspects of secondary metabolism from the relationship between biological function of secondary metabolites in defense against biotic and abiotic stress. In particular it will be treated the reasons why so many plant secondary metabolites possess pharmacological activity. The course defines the main classes of secondary metabolites and their biosynthetic pathways, methods for identification of genes coding stages of the biosynthetic pathways and ultimately the main approaches to the genetic modification of plants and microorganisms in order to obtain a targeted production of secondary metabolites with applicable value, giving the advantages and disadvantages of different methods.
Program
1. Revision of the main metabolic pathways of primary metabolism, the interconnection of metabolisms, the activation of secondary metabolism.
2. Definition and systematic of secondary metabolites (MS)
3. Ecological function of MS and pharmacological effects on mammals and insects.
4. Terpenoids, the synthesis of IPP (isopentenyl pyrophosphate) in the cytosol and plastid. The role of terpenoids in plant defense. The Rubber: production. Biotechnological applications of terpenoid biosynthetic pathways. Story of a biosynthetic pathway: carotenoids and the defense of photosynthetic apparatus against photo-oxidation stress.
5. The alkaloids: biosynthesis, functional clusters and biological activity, synthesis of berberine and definition of other metabolic pathways. Biotechnological applications.
6. The phenylpropanoids: biosynthesis and ecological functions. Phenols, polyphenols and tannins: classification and biosynthesis. Biotechnological applications. Biosynthesis of lignin and suberin.
7. Flavonoids: biosynthesis, localization, ecological significance. Synthesis and modification of flower color for commercial purposes. Biotechnological applications.
8. Compounds containing sulfur, biosynthesis of glucosinolates. Environmental and genetic factors that influence the expression of glucosinolates. Metabolism and detoxification of isothiocyanates. Anti-nutritional effects on livestock and humans, beneficial effects of sulfur compounds in human diet. Metabolic engineering.
9. Psoralens and acetylenes: distribution in plants of food interest, biosynthesis, perspectives in relation to food safety.
10. Polyketides, secondary metabolites produced by bacteria. Mode of biosynthesis, the possibility of intervention by biotechnology. the "polyketides" in plants.
11. Allelopathy and directed evolution.
12. Metabolic engineering: chloroplast transformation (plants and algae) and importance of this technique in the expression of secondary products.
13. Metabolic engineering: genetic resources by non-culturable microorganisms and symbiont; metagenomics, metatranscriptomic, techniques for the identification of new enzymatic activities.
14. Metabolic engineering: metabolomics, techniques for the identification of enzymes and substrates from data of transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics.
15. Secondary metabolites in the main foodstuff. Toxicity of natural and artificial products. Ames' test.
16. Biotechnology of fragrances: aromas produced by yeast in main fermented beverages, and biotechnology interventions, production of vanillin by chemical, enzymatic and biotechnological methods, production of secondary metabolites by plant cell cultures, metabolic engineering of plants of food interest for the modulation of fregrances.
Examination Methods
Presentation of a published researc article, to be chosen from a list provided, and the proposal for continuation of the line of research.
Oral. The student will discuss the main topics of the course, trying to demonstrate critical thought and awareness of the structure of the field of study.
Type D and Type F activities
Modules not yet included
Career prospects
Module/Programme news
News for students
There you will find information, resources and services useful during your time at the University (Student’s exam record, your study plan on ESSE3, Distance Learning courses, university email account, office forms, administrative procedures, etc.). You can log into MyUnivr with your GIA login details: only in this way will you be able to receive notification of all the notices from your teachers and your secretariat via email and also via the Univr app.
Graduation
Deadlines and administrative fulfilments
For deadlines, administrative fulfilments and notices on graduation sessions, please refer to the Graduation Sessions - Science and Engineering service.
Need to activate a thesis internship
For thesis-related internships, it is not always necessary to activate an internship through the Internship Office. For further information, please consult the dedicated document, which can be found in the 'Documents' section of the Internships and work orientation - Science e Engineering service.
Final examination regulations
List of thesis proposals
theses proposals | Research area |
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Dinamiche della metilazione del DNA e loro contributo durante il processo di maturazione della bacca di vite. | Various topics |
Miglioramento del profilo nutrizionale e funzionale di sfarinati di cereali mediante fermentazione con batteri lattici | Various topics |
Risposte trascrittomiche a sollecitazioni ambientali in vite | Various topics |
Studio delle basi genomico-funzionali del processo di embriogenesi somatica in vite | Various topics |
Attendance modes and venues
As stated in the Didactic Regulations, there is no generalised obligation of attendance. Individual lecturers are, however, free to require a minimum number of hours of attendance for eligibilitỳ for the profit exam of the teaching they teach. In such cases, attendance of teaching activities is monitored in accordance with procedures communicated in advance to students.
Part-time enrolment is permitted. Find out more on the Part-time enrolment possibilities page.
The course's teaching activities take place in the Science and Engineering area, which is composed of the buildings of Ca‘ Vignal 1, Ca’ Vignal 2, Ca' Vignal 3 and Piramide, located in the Borgo Roma cluster, and Villa Lebrecht and Villa Eugenia located in the San Floriano di Valpolicella cluster.
Lectures are held in the classrooms of Ca‘ Vignal 1, Ca’ Vignal 2 and Ca' Vignal 3, while practical exercises take place in the teaching laboratories dedicated to the various activities.