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.
Study Plan
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 magistrale in Medical bioinformatics - Enrollment from 2025/2026The 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
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3 courses among the following2° Year activated in the A.Y. 2022/2023
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3 courses among the following| Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
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3 courses among the following| Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
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3 courses among the following| 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.
Molecular Biology (2021/2022)
Teaching code
4S004558
Teacher
Coordinator
Credits
6
Language
English
Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)
BIO/11 - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Period
Primo semestre dal Oct 4, 2021 al Jan 28, 2022.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding The aim of this course is to give the students the basic knowledge of the molecular mechanisms concerning transmission, variation and expression of the genetic information. At the end of the course the students will be able to recognize the major molecular mechanisms of life in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Applying knowledge and understanding At the end of the course the students will be able to recognize the major molecular mechanisms of life in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Making judgements At the end of the course the students will be able to autonomously evaluate the molecular mechanisms involved in cell life and their implications in the biomedic and bioinformatic fieds. Communication At the end of the course the students will be able to correctly interact with experts in the biomedic and bioinformatic fieds, to work in team with collegues and interact with experts of different fields in research teams. Lifelong learning skills At the end of the course the student will be able to read and understand independently scientific articles and specialized texts concerning molecular Biology and to work autonomously and in team on correlated problems.
Program
- Genetic information and informational molecules
General introduction and historical hints. The chemical structure of DNA and RNA. Three dimensional structure of DNA. Physico-chemical properties of DNA.
- DNA, RNA and gene structure
Definition of gene coding and regulatory regions. From genes to proteins; messenger RNA, transfer RNA and ribosomal RNA.
- Genome organization and evolution
DNA content and number of genes. Mutations, DNA rearrangement and genome evolution. The organelle genomes. Interrupted genes; introns. cDNA. Gene families and duplication. DNA repeats.
- Transposable elements
Transposition mechanisms and control. Retroviruses and retrotransposones. Transposons.
- Chromatin and chromosomes
Nucleosomes, histones and their modifications. Higher organization levels of chromatin. Heterochromatin and euchromatin. Eukaryotic chromosomes, telomeres and centromeres.
- DNA replication
DNA polymerases. Proofreading activity of DNA polymerases. Replication mechanism in bacteria and eukaryotic cells.
- Introns and RNA splicing
Features of spliceosomal introns. Spliceosome and splicing mechanism. Alternative splicing and trans-splicing. Other kinds of introns: group I and group II introns and tRNA introns. The intron movement. RNA editing. Ribozymes and riboswitch.
- DNA mutation and repair
Spontaneous mutations and mutations caused by physical and chemical mutagens. Pre- and post-replicative repair systems. Recombination in the immunity system cells. Approaches to homologous recombination.
- Regulation of gene expression
Bacterial promoters. The operon. Activators, repressors and coactivators. Signal transductions and two component regulation systems. Eukaryotic promoters. Activators, repressors and coactivators. Gene expression and chromatin modifications. Epigenetic mechanisms.
- RNAs and transcription
Different types of RNA: synthesis and maturation. Bacterial RNA polymerase. Sigma factors. Eukaryotic RNA polymerases. Eukaryotic mRNAs: capping, polyadenylation, cytoplasmic localization. The transcription process in bacteria and in eukaryotic cells.
- Translation
Ribosomes. tRNA structure and function. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthesis. Initiation in bacteria and eukaryotic cells. Polypeptide chain synthesis and translation end. Regulation of translation.
- Protein localization.
Teaching in mixed mode, in presence and remotely.
STRUCTURE AND CONTENT OF THE COURSE COULD CHANGE AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 EPIDEMIC.
Bibliography
Examination Methods
Oral examination.
The final exam will be on two questions concerning any of the topics treated during the course and it is passed if both answers are positive.
