Teacher
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MESCHINI Roberta
(syllabus)
The structure of chromatin in eukaryotes: histones and histone proteins; The nucleosome; Chromatin fiber; Hints on histone modifications; Histone variants and specialized folding domains; The solenoid; The loop domains; Models of the metaphase chromosome; Mechanical properties of chromosomes. Chromosomal Territories: Their Dynamic Organization (Chromosomal Territories, Interchromatinic Domain, Nuclear Matrix); Experimental evidence and models; Chromosomal territories and cytogenetic damage. Evolution of the eukaryotic genome: organization in isochores; Compositional correlation; Distribution of genes and compartmentalization of the genome; Compositional transition in the vertebrates, their causes and their maintenance. Relationship between chromosomal territories and isochore content. The telomere: structure; function; Telomeric and accessory proteins; Replication (telomerase and recombination); Regulation of the elongation. The centromere: structure, function and accessory proteins in the lower eukaryotes; Structure, function and additional proteins in the higher eukaryotes; Epigenetic control of the centromere. The fragile sites: classification and structure; Genes at fragile sites; Fragile sites and cellular checkpoints; Repair at fragile sites; Instability of fragile sites in tumors; The X-fragile syndrome. Chromosome banding: differential banding techniques (bands G, R, Q); Selective banding techniques (bands C, NOR, G-11, restriction enzymes); Fluorochrome and counterstaining techniques; Replication banding; High resolution banding; Banding applications (karyotype study, chromosome aberration study, diagnostic and medical applications, etc.). Fluorescent in situ hybridization: basic concepts; The technique; Applications in classical and interfase cytogenetics, mutagenesis, diagnostic and medical fields, etc. The "Comet" assay: the technique and its applications. Chromosomal aberrations: classification. Theories. Molecular mechanisms of formation. Chromosomal instability syndromes. Biological dosimetry. Biological significance and consequences of chromosomal aberrations. Practice (1 CFU): building a karyotype; analysis of the spontaneous frequency of micronuclei in epithelial buccal cells; microscopic observation of cytogenetic preparations.
(reference books)
The teaching materials and all the lessons in power-point format are provided by the teacher.
Non-attending students are encouraged to contact the teacher for information on the program, teaching materials and evaluation of the profit.
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