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 |
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I sem. | Oct 2, 2017 | Jan 31, 2018 |
II sem. | Mar 1, 2018 | Jun 15, 2018 |
Session | From | To |
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Sessione invernale d'esame | Feb 1, 2018 | Feb 28, 2018 |
Sessione estiva d'esame | Jun 18, 2018 | Jul 31, 2018 |
Sessione autunnale d'esame | Sep 3, 2018 | Sep 28, 2018 |
Session | From | To |
---|---|---|
Sessione di laurea estiva | Jul 12, 2018 | Jul 12, 2018 |
Sessione autunnale di laurea | Oct 19, 2018 | Oct 19, 2018 |
Sessione di laurea invernale | Mar 14, 2019 | Mar 14, 2019 |
Period | From | To |
---|---|---|
Christmas break | Dec 22, 2017 | Jan 7, 2018 |
Easter break | Mar 30, 2018 | Apr 3, 2018 |
Patron Saint Day | May 21, 2018 | May 21, 2018 |
VACANZE ESTIVE | Aug 6, 2018 | Aug 19, 2018 |
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
Vallini 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. 2018/2019
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 (2017/2018)
Teaching code
4S02771
Teacher
Coordinator
Credits
6
Language
Italian
Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)
BIO/04 - PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
Period
II sem. dal Mar 1, 2018 al Jun 15, 2018.
Learning outcomes
The course covers the main groups of secondary metabolites of plants and micro-organisms from a biochemical and biosynthetic perspective, with references to how genetic engineering can be used to manipulate the levels of secondary metabolites of economic value, as well as those of importance to the health and in the human diet. The secondary metabolism course aims to provide an integrated view of some fundamental aspects of secondary metabolism from the relationship between biological functions of secondary metabolites in defense against biotic and abiotic stresses. In particular, the reasons why such a large number of plant secondary metabolites have pharmacological activity will be discussed. The course defines the major classes of secondary metabolites, their biosynthetic pathways, methods for identification of genes coding the steps of biosynthetic pathways, and finally the main approaches for the genetic engeneering of plants and microorganisms to achieve a targeted production of high-value secondary metabolites, including the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods.
Program
1. Review of the major metabolic pathways, metabolic interconnections, activation of secondary metabolism.
2. Definition and systematic of secondary metabolites (SM)
3. Ecological function of SM and pharmacological action on mammals and insects.
4. Terpenoids: synthesis of IPP (isopentenyl pyrophosphate) in the cytosol and the plastid, role of terpenoids in the plant defense. Gum. Biotechnological applications.
5. Alkaloids: biosynthesis, functional groups and biological activity, definition of the main metabolic pathways. Biotechnological applications.
6. Phenylpropanoids: biosynthesis and ecological functions. Phenols, polyphenols and tannins: classification and biosynthesis. Biotechnological applications. Biosynthesis of lignins.
7. Flavonoids: biosynthesis, localization, ecological significance. Synthesis and modification of the color of flowers for commercial purposes. Biotechnological applications.
8. Sulfur-containing compounds: biosynthesis of glucosinolates and alliin. Environmental and genetic factors that influence the expression of glucosinolates. Metabolism and detoxification of the isothiocyanates. Anti-nutritional effects in animals and humans, beneficial effects of sulfur-containing compounds in the human diet. Metabolic engineering.
9. Psoralens and acetylenes: distribution in plants used as food, biosynthesis, prospects in relation to food security.
10. Polyketides, secondary metabolites produced by bacteria. Mode of biosynthesis, possibilities for biotechnology intervention.
11. Metabolic engineering: chloroplast transformation (plants and algae) and importance of this technique in the expression of SM.
12. Metabolic engineering: genetic resources from non-culturable microorganisms and symbiotics; metagenomics, metatranscriptomic, techniques for the detection of new enzymatic activities.
13. SM in major foods.
14. Biotechnology of aromas: aromas produced by yeast in the main fermented beverages and biotechnological interventions; production of vanillin by chemical, enzymatic and biotechvmethods; production of SM by plant cell cultures; metabolic engineering of food crops aimed to modulate the set of aromas.
Examination Methods
Students will present a recently published paper on metabolic engeneering, to be chosen from a list provided, and they will propose a plan to go on with the research.
Oral exam. The student will discuss the major topics of the course, trying to demonstrate critical thinking and awareness of the subject 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 |
---|---|
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.