Teaching code

4S001359

Teacher

Patricia Lievens

Credits

2

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

BIO/13 - EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY

Period

Lezioni 1 Semestre TSRM dal Oct 1, 2018 al Dec 7, 2018.

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

To show the organization of the course that includes this module, follow this link:  Course organization

Learning outcomes

To provide knowledge about the molecular and cellular processes common to all living organisms. To provide basic knowledge of human genetics in order to recognize the methods of transmission of hereditary characteristics, normal and pathological. To understand the molecular and cellular processes triggered by ionizing and non-ionizing radiations.

Program

Foundations of modern biological thought, appearance of the first organisms on Earth
Prokaryotes: general characteristics, evolution from prokaryotes to eukaryotes
The eukaryotic cell: general characteristics, evolution of multicellular organisms
The nucleus, chromosomes, cell division: mitosis
Sexual reproduction and meiosis. Gametogenesis in humans
Normal and pathological human karyotype, sex chromosomes, gene dosage compensation
Molecular basis of hereditary information. DNA. Structure and replication
Flow and control of information: transcription, translation, protein maturation
Spontaneous and induced mutations, chemical mutagens, mutagenesis tests
Somatic mutations and cancer. Physical mutagens / Radiobiology
Non-ionizing radiation (UV): cell impact, DNA damage repair systems
Ionizing radiation (IR): X-rays, alpha, beta, gamma
RBE (relative biological effectiveness) is related to the LET value (definition)
The birth of radiobiology: the first laboratory experiments: Bergonie and Tribondeau, Müller
Cell cultures and survival curves
Radiosensitivity of different cell types
DNA damage: direct (double-strand breakage, chromosome aberrations) and indirect (radiolysis of water, production of free radicals, point mutations)
Oxygen effects (OER)
Methodological approaches for the detection of DNA damage: the comet assay, karyotype analysis
Immediate and long-term effects: definition
Long-term effects: tumorigenesis (some mention to the data after the Chernobyl) and reproductive risk.
Ability of the organisms to repair DNA damage and sensitivity / resistance to IR, two extreme examples: Ataxia telangiectasia and Deinococcus radiodurans
Genetic transmission of characteristics, laws of Mendel, dominance and recessive
Human genetics: the blood groups
Analysis of family trees. Examples of genetic diseases with autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked.

As part of the Internationalization process of the University of Verona, a section of the Radiobiology program will be held in English. It should be noted that this will concern only the lessons, while the examination procedure will remain unchanged.

Examination Methods

Written and oral examination. The written examination will include a multiple choice test and open questions. To be admitted to the oral exam, the student must obtain a minimum score of 18/30 in the written test. The oral examination will be expressed in thirtieths and will average with the grade of the written exam for the final vote.