GENETICA
(objectives)
The aim of the course is to provide students with the information necessary for understanding the theoretical foundations of classical and modern genetics and the experimental approaches that have allowed their definition. Students will have to learn the logic of formal genetic analysis and the methodologies of genetic dissection of biological phenomena. They will have to know how to connect the concepts of genotype and phenotype and the interaction of these with the environment. A relevant chapter of the course will be dedicated to the students' acquisition of the concepts of mutation, mutagenesis and repair of genetic damage; as well as the impact that these processes have in the generation of syndromes, in the onset of degenerative diseases and in the evolution of populations. The notions will be provided to understand the paradigm shift that took place in the post-genomic era, and the understanding of the importance of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic model systems will be stimulated. Knowledge and understanding. To have developed the knowledge of the principles of formal genetics: Mendelism, sex-linked inheritance, mapping of genes in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, mutations, regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, genetics of populations. Having acquired the basic notions of Environmental Mutagenesis and Molecular Genetics and having understood the potential of post-genomic analysis. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. Knowing how to use the notions learned in class and developed in the exercises to interpret the patterns of inheritance and to solve problems in the various fields of Genetics. Autonomy of judgment. Being able to identify the appropriate rules of Genetics to apply to the resolution of new problems even if similar to those discussed in class. Communication skills. The students' ability to speak, reason and discuss the questions raised during the lessons regarding the topics covered will be stimulated. Learning ability. To be able to discuss scientific issues related to Genetics also in its medical applications and in its evolutionary implications. This skill will be developed and tested by involving students in oral discussions in the classroom.
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Teacher
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PROIETTI DE SANTIS Luca
(syllabus)
Mendel's genetic analysis: genetic variability; the law of segregation; the law of independent assortment; genes and alleles: the concept of polymorphism.
Extensions of Mendelian analysis: dominance relationships; multiple allelia; pleiotropy; multifactorial inheritance, inheritance of quantitative traits ..
Chromosome theory of inheritance: mitosis and meiosis; sex-linked inheritance; meiosis and Mendelism.
Association and recombination: segregation of genes located on the same chromosome; crossing over-over; the chi-squared test genetic maps; three-point essay.
The physical basis of heredity, DNA: identification of the genetic material; structure; * replication; * recombination.
The function of the gene: genetic dissection through mutations the hypothesis a gene an enzyme; complementation; fine structure of the gene; the genetic code; the transcription; * translation. *
The eukaryotic chromosome structure and organization of chromatin; the model with radial lugs; structure and function of the telomere and centromere; the organizing regions of the nucleolus (NOR).
Chromosomal mutations: of structure; the mobile elements; of number.
Genetic analysis of bacteria and viruses *: the bacterial chromosome; isolation of mutants; gene transfer in bacteria: natural and artificial transformation; conjugation; genetic maps in bacteria. transduction
Gene regulation in prokaryotes: negative and positive regulation; the lac operon; the tryptophan operon; attenuation.
Gene regulation in eukaryotes: regulation of transcription; post-transcriptional regulation; the role of chromatin structure; epigenetic inheritance; euchromatin and heterochromatin; variegated position effect (PEV); inactivation of the X chromosome in mammals.
Genomic analysis: the cloning of genes; hybridization of nucleic acids; the PCR; DNA sequencing; genome sequencing; DNA polymorphism analysis: SNP; Microsatellites.
Population genetics: gene and genotype frequencies the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium; evolution of populations and species.
* These topics are treated only from the point of view of Genetics, leaving out the biochemical, molecular and microbiological aspects that are treated in other courses.
(reference books)
Hartwell LH et al. Genetica - dall'analisi formale alla genomica, McGraw-Hill.
Griffiths et al., Genetica - Principi di analisi formale, Zanichelli
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Dates of beginning and end of teaching activities
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From to |
Delivery mode
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Traditional
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Attendance
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not mandatory
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Evaluation methods
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Written test
Oral exam
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