Degree Course: SCIENZE AGRARIE E AMBIENTALI (L-25) Syllabus for A.Y. 2018/2019  

The first part of the course is devoted to describe some basic concepts of general chemistry also useful for the understanding of organic chemistry, which is dealt with in the second part. In particular, he following topics are studied: atoms, molecules, ions, atomic structure, periodic table of elements, chemical bonds, hybridization, inorganic compounds (oxides, anhydrides, hydroxides, acids, salts, peroxides, hydrides) , chemical reactions, balancing, stoichiometry, solutions (units of measure and properties), acids and bases, pH.
The second part id devoted to organic chemistry; in particular to the study of the structure, the nomenclature, the properties and the reactivity of the following classes of organic compounds: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatic compounds, halogenated compounds, alcohols, phenols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, amines. Followed by the study of stereoisomerism, chiral molecules and biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and proteins, nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleic acids).
For each topic, a great number of exercises are proposed and resolved to check their understanding and the preparation of the exam.

(1) Fondamenti di Chimica Generale - R. Chang, K. Goldsby, McGraw-Hill Education
(2) Chimica Organica Essenziale - M. Botta, Edi-Ermes

The course is structured into three main sections: the first focuses on the basic aspects of plant biology, the second on plant diversity and the evolutionary relationships of plants and the third on the botanical aspects of the main crops. During the course two practical classes are also are planned.
In the first section after an introduction on the general concepts of cytology, peculiarities of the plant cell are illustrated, then the different levels of organization are addressed, the morphological and anatomical structure of plants, the mechanisms of development and reproduction, highlighting the relationship between cytological, histological and morphological aspects. In particular at cellular level the following topics will be discussed: the plant cell, the cell wall, the cytoskeleton, the endomembrane system (endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus), the vacuole, plastids and the nucleus including also cell cycle and an introduction to mitosis and meiosis. At tissue level, meristematic, parenchymal, mechanical, tegumental, conducting, and secretory tissues, while at the organ level, the stem, leaf and root. Finally, reproduction, seeds and fruits are addressed at organisms level.
In the second part, devoted to plant diversity, is illustrated in detail the theory of evolution and the main lines of evolution of the plant kingdom with particular reference to the main morphological, biological, phylogenetic and adaptive aspects of plants.
In particular this section of the course covers the main general features, modality of reproduction and systematic of the major plant evolutionary lines: cyanobacteria, algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms, both dicotyledons and monocotyledons.
The third section considers the botanical aspects of the major crop plants grown in Italy (wheat, rice, tomato, olive, apple, corn, potato, vitis and citrus fruits) but also abroad (soybean, cotton and canola). In this section plants as producers of bioactive molecules, plants as environmental purifiers and plants producing allergens are also shortly introduced.
The course also includes a guided visit to the University Botanical Garden "Angelo Rambelli", the visit is intended to illustrate the importance of Botanical Gardens and the underlying principles followed in their design and establishment, particular importance is reserved to explaination of the different recreated biomes.

Botanica generale e diversità vegetale. Gabriella Pasqua, Giovanna Abbate, Cinzia Forni. Piccin

For insights:
Biologia delle piante di Raven. Ray F Evert, Susan E Eichhorn. Zanichelli

General characteristics of the plant
Cell wall: composition, structure and functions. Plasmodesmata: structure and function.
Vacuole: structure and functions.

Transport of water and solutes
Water and plant: water importance for the plant. Water characteristics. Water movement from the ground to the atmosphere: diffusion, mass flow and osmosis. Electrochemical potential of water and water potential. Components of water potential. Use of water potential and experimental methods for measuring water potential (psychrometer and pressure chamber). The movement of water in the plant: anatomy of the xylem; radical absorption; root pressure; transpiration; relative humidity; stomata and stomatal regulation. Theory of tension-cohesion. Absorption of solutes: plasma membrane. Active and passive transport. Potential of Nerst (outline). Channels: carriers and pumps; K+ channel and sucrose-proton carrier.

Photosynthesis and phloem transport
Photosynthesis: light-dependent reactions and carbon reactions. Biosynthesis of starch and sucrose. Photorespiration. Photoinhibition. Site of action of diuron and paraquat herbicides.
CO2 concentration mechanisms: C4 plants and CAM plants. Transpiration ratio. The transport of photosynthates: phloem anatomy; characteristics of phloem transport; definition of source and sink organs. Phloem loading and unloading. Pressure flow hypothesis. Assimilate allocation and distribution.

Growth, development and defence
Importance of light as an environmental signal. Plant responses regulated by blue light and red light. Action spectrum and absorption spectrum. Skotomorphogenesis and photomorphogenesis. Photoreceptors. Phytochrome characteristics: pr and pfr forms of phytochromes; phytochrome function and its role in the shadow perception in heliophilous plants; importance of the phytochrome in seed germination; photoperiodism; long- and short-day plants. Importance of night duration in the photoperiodic response; demonstration of the phytochrome involvement in the photoperiodic response. Vernalization. Signal perception in leaves.
Plant hormones: what is and how a plant hormone acts. Physiological aspects of hormonal activities: multiple responses induced by different hormones. Auxins: auxin polar transport; cell distension and the acid growth hypothesis; phototropism. Gibberellins: induction of alpha-amylase in seed germination; growth of the stem (cell distension) and effect on the cell wall. Cytokinins: stimulation of cell division. Abscisic acid: regulation of stomata the closure. Ethylene: regulation of fruit ripening. Brassinosteroids (brief). The defence response of plants: secondary metabolites; constitutive and induced defence responses, including the acquired systemic response (outline).

Plant biotechnology
Plant biotechnology: definition. Essential steps for the production of transgenic plants. Importance of knowledge of physiological processes for the manipulation of the traits of interest: Case study: fruit softening process in tomato. GM plant cultivation.

Taiz L. and Zeiger E. Elementi di Fisiologia vegetale (2013), Piccin
Rascio et al. Element di Fisiologia vegetale (2012), EdiSES
Pupillo P., Cervone F., Cresti M, Rascio N., 2003. Biologia vegetale. Zanichelli
Teaching material provided by the professor

The setting-up of agricultural machinery (combustion engines, mechanical and hydraulic transmissions, tires, driving mechanisms and control systems, connection equipment, machine safety, ergonomics).
The correct use of agricultural machinery (grip, slip control, compaction of soil, extent of work times and losses, performances in field, running costs, cost-benefit analysis).
The approval and certification of agricultural machinery.

Biondi P., Meccanica agraria. Le macchine agricole. UTET, Torino 1999.
"Slide" delle lezioni

First part: agroecosystems biophysical factors
The agricultural crop (growth indices). Climate and agricultural crops: solar radiation; evapotranspiration; temeperature; rainfall; effective rainfall.
Cultivated and natural soils: definition, functions, composition; soil profile; fertility and productivity.
Soil texture and particle size distribution: stony soils; sandy soils; silty soils; clay soils; loam.
Soil structure: general aspects and structure types; role of soil structure; assemblage and size of aggregates; stability of aggregates; porosity; factors acting on soil structure.
Soil chemical and physico-chemical properties: composition; soil solution and cation exchange capacity; soil pH; salinity anomalies.
Soil water: measuring soil moisture; soil water potential; water retention curve and its determination.

Second part: agroecosystem management
Soil tillage.
Irrigation: irrigation variables; watering rate; water use efficiency; irrigation timing; seasonal crop water requirements; irrigation methods; irrigation water quality.
Soil organic matter (SOM) and organic fertilizers: types of organic matter and their origin; soil transformations and humic balance; factor acting on SOM transformations; SOM functions; organic fertilization; commercial organic fertilizers.
Mineral fertilization: classification and market requirements of mineral fertilizers; nitrogen fertilizers; phosphate fertilizers; potassium fertilizers; composite mineral fertilizers; crop response to fertilizers; optimal fertilization rate; farm requirements and environmental constraints; fertilization plans; yield quality response to fertilization.
Weed management: preventive measures; physical direct means; chemical weed management.
Cropping systems: species sequence and rotations.

Textbook:
Authors: P. Ceccon, M. Fagnano, C. Grignani, M. Monti, S. Orlandini
title: AGRONOMIA
edition: EDISES 2017 (http://www.edises.it/universitario/agronomia.html)

Lesson slides and videos made available by the teacher

The program includes a general part relating to the introduction of the food industries and problems relating to food alterations and a special one dedicated to the transformation processes of the studied food products.
The general part includes food preservation principles, the use of food additives, and technological adjuvants. The special part includes the products of animal origin (dairy products).

The main vegetable products studied will be the oil and oil industry (olive oils, seeds oils), and winemaking (winemaking techniques).
The main chemical, physical and sensory analysis will be introduced.

- Material provided by the teacher.

- Patrizia Cappelli,Vanna Vannucchi - Principi di chimica degli alimenti-Conservazione, trasformazioni, normativa. Ed.Zanichelli, Bologna.
- Paolo Cabras, Aldo Martelli-Chimica degli alimenti-Ed. Piccin
- Paolo Cabras, Carlo I.G. Tuberoso - Analisi dei prodotti alimentari - Ed. Piccin

ASSESSING THE RESULTS OF FARMS
THE FARM AND ITS TYPOLOGIES.
Introduction.
Classifications of production factors used by the farm.
The capital of traditional in economic analysis of the farm.
- Land Capital
- Financial Capital.
Labor.
Main Taxes and Dues paid in Agriculture
- Income tax.
- Additional income tax
- Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Municipal Own Tax (IMU)
- Regional Tax on Productive Activities (IRAP)
Concluding remarks

THE EVALUATION OF THE ECONOMIC RESULTS OF THE FARM WITH THE APPROACH OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCOME STATEMENT.
BALANCE SHEET.
The Active of the Balance Sheet
- The working capital
- The Fixed Capital
- The Passive of the Balance Sheet
- The Capital Minority
- The Net Capital
- The assessment of the capital invested.
- The determining of depreciation
- The change in the balance sheet during the year administration.

THE INCOME STATEMENT.
- The Saleable Production
- The Integrations and the Public Payments
- The Variable Costs, Value Added and Gross Revenue.
- The Fixed Costs and EBITDA.
- Operating Income
- Economic Results of non-typical activities
- Economic Result of extraordinary activities
- Net Income
- Summarizing remarks

PROFITABILITY THE FARM.
- The assessment of profitability with the estimate of income from capital
- The assessment of profitability with the estimate of labor income

- An economic analysis of the single activities carried out by the farm.

THE ECONOMIC SITUATION AND FINANCIAL IN A HAZELNUTS FARM
Introduction.
- The plots of the farm.
- Implants arboreal farm.
- The buildings and the land improvements.
- The driving and operating machinery.
- The available family labor.
- The Economic Report.
- The Balance Sheet.
- The Income Statement
- The remuneration to the factors provided by the entrepreneur and his family.
- The ratio analysis of the hazelnut farm.

- An economic analysis of the single activities of the farm.

Lecture notes by the teacher: Gabriele Dono, 2019, Farm Economics (AY 2019-2020)

Biology of plant pathogens (bacteria, fungi, Pseudo-fungi, Viruses). Host-pathogen interactions: mode of attack by pathogens and plant defense mechanisms. Susceptibility, resistance, pathogenicity and virulence. Infection process. Epidemiological aspects of main pathogenic agents. Influence of environmental factors on the development and spread of the various diseases. Predictive models of epidemics. Control of the plant diseases (prevention and treatment) by conventional and environmentally friendly techniques. Use of innovative technologies (GIS, GPS, Aspis) in crop protection. Transgenic plants: risks and opportunities. Symptomatological aspects of the most important diseases of cultivated plants.

- Notes from lessons
- Agrios G.N. (2005). Plant pathology. 5a ed. Elsevier Academic Press. San Diego, California (USA).
- Belli G. (2007). Elementi di Patologia vegetale. Piccin Nuova Libraria, Padova.
- Goidanich G. (coordinator). Manuale di Patologia vegetale. Volumi I-IV, Edagricole, Bologna.

The first part of the course is devoted to describe some basic concepts of general chemistry also useful for the understanding of organic chemistry, which is dealt with in the second part. In particular, he following topics are studied: atoms, molecules, ions, atomic structure, periodic table of elements, chemical bonds, hybridization, inorganic compounds (oxides, anhydrides, hydroxides, acids, salts, peroxides, hydrides) , chemical reactions, balancing, stoichiometry, solutions (units of measure and properties), acids and bases, pH.
The second part id devoted to organic chemistry; in particular to the study of the structure, the nomenclature, the properties and the reactivity of the following classes of organic compounds: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatic compounds, halogenated compounds, alcohols, phenols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, amines. Followed by the study of stereoisomerism, chiral molecules and biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and proteins, nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleic acids).
For each topic, a great number of exercises are proposed and resolved to check their understanding and the preparation of the exam.

(1) Fondamenti di Chimica Generale - R. Chang, K. Goldsby, McGraw-Hill Education
(2) Chimica Organica Essenziale - M. Botta, Edi-Ermes

The course is structured into three main sections: the first focuses on the basic aspects of plant biology, the second on plant diversity and the evolutionary relationships of plants and the third on the botanical aspects of the main crops. During the course two practical classes are also are planned.
In the first section after an introduction on the general concepts of cytology, peculiarities of the plant cell are illustrated, then the different levels of organization are addressed, the morphological and anatomical structure of plants, the mechanisms of development and reproduction, highlighting the relationship between cytological, histological and morphological aspects. In particular at cellular level the following topics will be discussed: the plant cell, the cell wall, the cytoskeleton, the endomembrane system (endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus), the vacuole, plastids and the nucleus including also cell cycle and an introduction to mitosis and meiosis. At tissue level, meristematic, parenchymal, mechanical, tegumental, conducting, and secretory tissues, while at the organ level, the stem, leaf and root. Finally, reproduction, seeds and fruits are addressed at organisms level.
In the second part, devoted to plant diversity, is illustrated in detail the theory of evolution and the main lines of evolution of the plant kingdom with particular reference to the main morphological, biological, phylogenetic and adaptive aspects of plants.
In particular this section of the course covers the main general features, modality of reproduction and systematic of the major plant evolutionary lines: cyanobacteria, algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms, both dicotyledons and monocotyledons.
The third section considers the botanical aspects of the major crop plants grown in Italy (wheat, rice, tomato, olive, apple, corn, potato, vitis and citrus fruits) but also abroad (soybean, cotton and canola). In this section plants as producers of bioactive molecules, plants as environmental purifiers and plants producing allergens are also shortly introduced.
The course also includes a guided visit to the University Botanical Garden "Angelo Rambelli", the visit is intended to illustrate the importance of Botanical Gardens and the underlying principles followed in their design and establishment, particular importance is reserved to explaination of the different recreated biomes.

Botanica generale e diversità vegetale. Gabriella Pasqua, Giovanna Abbate, Cinzia Forni. Piccin

For insights:
Biologia delle piante di Raven. Ray F Evert, Susan E Eichhorn. Zanichelli

General characteristics of the plant
Cell wall: composition, structure and functions. Plasmodesmata: structure and function.
Vacuole: structure and functions.

Transport of water and solutes
Water and plant: water importance for the plant. Water characteristics. Water movement from the ground to the atmosphere: diffusion, mass flow and osmosis. Electrochemical potential of water and water potential. Components of water potential. Use of water potential and experimental methods for measuring water potential (psychrometer and pressure chamber). The movement of water in the plant: anatomy of the xylem; radical absorption; root pressure; transpiration; relative humidity; stomata and stomatal regulation. Theory of tension-cohesion. Absorption of solutes: plasma membrane. Active and passive transport. Potential of Nerst (outline). Channels: carriers and pumps; K+ channel and sucrose-proton carrier.

Photosynthesis and phloem transport
Photosynthesis: light-dependent reactions and carbon reactions. Biosynthesis of starch and sucrose. Photorespiration. Photoinhibition. Site of action of diuron and paraquat herbicides.
CO2 concentration mechanisms: C4 plants and CAM plants. Transpiration ratio. The transport of photosynthates: phloem anatomy; characteristics of phloem transport; definition of source and sink organs. Phloem loading and unloading. Pressure flow hypothesis. Assimilate allocation and distribution.

Growth, development and defence
Importance of light as an environmental signal. Plant responses regulated by blue light and red light. Action spectrum and absorption spectrum. Skotomorphogenesis and photomorphogenesis. Photoreceptors. Phytochrome characteristics: pr and pfr forms of phytochromes; phytochrome function and its role in the shadow perception in heliophilous plants; importance of the phytochrome in seed germination; photoperiodism; long- and short-day plants. Importance of night duration in the photoperiodic response; demonstration of the phytochrome involvement in the photoperiodic response. Vernalization. Signal perception in leaves.
Plant hormones: what is and how a plant hormone acts. Physiological aspects of hormonal activities: multiple responses induced by different hormones. Auxins: auxin polar transport; cell distension and the acid growth hypothesis; phototropism. Gibberellins: induction of alpha-amylase in seed germination; growth of the stem (cell distension) and effect on the cell wall. Cytokinins: stimulation of cell division. Abscisic acid: regulation of stomata the closure. Ethylene: regulation of fruit ripening. Brassinosteroids (brief). The defence response of plants: secondary metabolites; constitutive and induced defence responses, including the acquired systemic response (outline).

Plant biotechnology
Plant biotechnology: definition. Essential steps for the production of transgenic plants. Importance of knowledge of physiological processes for the manipulation of the traits of interest: Case study: fruit softening process in tomato. GM plant cultivation.

Taiz L. and Zeiger E. Elementi di Fisiologia vegetale (2013), Piccin
Rascio et al. Element di Fisiologia vegetale (2012), EdiSES
Pupillo P., Cervone F., Cresti M, Rascio N., 2003. Biologia vegetale. Zanichelli
Teaching material provided by the professor

First part: agroecosystems biophysical factors
The agricultural crop (growth indices). Climate and agricultural crops: solar radiation; evapotranspiration; temeperature; rainfall; effective rainfall.
Cultivated and natural soils: definition, functions, composition; soil profile; fertility and productivity.
Soil texture and particle size distribution: stony soils; sandy soils; silty soils; clay soils; loam.
Soil structure: general aspects and structure types; role of soil structure; assemblage and size of aggregates; stability of aggregates; porosity; factors acting on soil structure.
Soil chemical and physico-chemical properties: composition; soil solution and cation exchange capacity; soil pH; salinity anomalies.
Soil water: measuring soil moisture; soil water potential; water retention curve and its determination.

Second part: agroecosystem management
Soil tillage.
Irrigation: irrigation variables; watering rate; water use efficiency; irrigation timing; seasonal crop water requirements; irrigation methods; irrigation water quality.
Soil organic matter (SOM) and organic fertilizers: types of organic matter and their origin; soil transformations and humic balance; factor acting on SOM transformations; SOM functions; organic fertilization; commercial organic fertilizers.
Mineral fertilization: classification and market requirements of mineral fertilizers; nitrogen fertilizers; phosphate fertilizers; potassium fertilizers; composite mineral fertilizers; crop response to fertilizers; optimal fertilization rate; farm requirements and environmental constraints; fertilization plans; yield quality response to fertilization.
Weed management: preventive measures; physical direct means; chemical weed management.
Cropping systems: species sequence and rotations.

Textbook:
Authors: P. Ceccon, M. Fagnano, C. Grignani, M. Monti, S. Orlandini
title: AGRONOMIA
edition: EDISES 2017 (http://www.edises.it/universitario/agronomia.html)

Lesson slides and videos made available by the teacher

Plant propagation and nursery industries. Plant organs and tissues. Certification of plant materials, patents and novelties. Organization of a micropropagation lab, culture media, components, physiological and morphogenic response of explants, choice of plant material. Multiplication and de novo shoot organogenesis. Cell culture and their application.
In vitro culture and germplasm preservation. Embryo rescue, Embryo culture and techniques to overcome incompatibility (mentor pollen, in vitro pollination ecc…). In vitro culture for breeding and genetics (somaclonal variation, protoplast fusion, hybrids, molecules for selective pressure, elicitors). Genetic engineering: a) Agrobacterium spp., b) PEG, c) electroporation

- Appunti delle lezioni e articoli di riviste
- Pierik R. L. 1999. In Vitro Culture of Higher Plants , Kluwer Academic Publishers
- Triggiano et al 2010 In Inglese
- Hartman e Kester Propagazione delle piante. EDAGRICOLE

The program includes a general part relating to the introduction of the food industries and problems relating to food alterations and a special one dedicated to the transformation processes of the studied food products.
The general part includes food preservation principles, the use of food additives, and technological adjuvants. The special part includes the products of animal origin (dairy products).

The main vegetable products studied will be the oil and oil industry (olive oils, seeds oils), and winemaking (winemaking techniques).
The main chemical, physical and sensory analysis will be introduced.

- Material provided by the teacher.

- Patrizia Cappelli,Vanna Vannucchi - Principi di chimica degli alimenti-Conservazione, trasformazioni, normativa. Ed.Zanichelli, Bologna.
- Paolo Cabras, Aldo Martelli-Chimica degli alimenti-Ed. Piccin
- Paolo Cabras, Carlo I.G. Tuberoso - Analisi dei prodotti alimentari - Ed. Piccin

Program
Animal cell cultures: Background. The laboratory of cell culture: general principles on the maintenance of cell cultures. Description of main equipment of animal cell cultures laboratory. Tools and material to isolate and grow cell cultures. The main types of animal cell cultures: primary cultures and cell lines. Differences between primary and cell lines cultures. Basic techniques for immortalized cell cultures in adhesion and in suspension. Trypsinization, counted and propagation of a cell line. Analysis of cell viability. Techniques of disinfection and sterilization. Material and methods of sterilization. Contamination control. Elimination of microbial contamination in cell cultures. Safety standards in laboratory cell cultures. Techniques of cell preservation: cryopreservation. "In vitro" cytotoxicity tests.

Animal transgenesis: history and application. Overview of gene transfer strategies in animal cells. DNA-mediated transformation. Transformation techniques. Transformation transient and stable transformation. The selectable markers. The reporter genes. Main expression systems in animal cells. Retroviral vectors. Methods for the production/generation of transgenic mice. Microinjection of the pronucleus. Transfection of early embryos. Transfection of ES cells. Random recombination and homologous recombination. "Gene targeting" in ES cells. Introduction of small mutations. Targeting vectors: insertion and replacement. "Gene targeting." The knock out. The knock on. Positive-negative selection of ES cells. Use of transgenic animals in biotechnology and in basic research. Animal cloning.

RNA interference (RNAi). The discovery of gene interference and gene silencing with small RNAs. siRNA and miRNA. The function of miRNAs. The biochemistry of gene silencing mediated by small RNAs. Potential therapeutic applications of RNAi.

Quantitative PCR (Real Time PCR); differences between QPCR endpoint and QPCR in real time; chemical fluorogenic in real time PCR "specific" and "non-specific"; absolute quantification and relative quantification. Examples of real time PCR in livestock farming.

Analysis of gene expression using a micro-array. Molecular basis of microarray technology. Chip cDNA and oligonucleotide chips. Generation of microarray sequences from databases with automatic annotation. experimental design with microarray. elements of analysis. diagnostic applications. microarray applications: SNP detection arrays - to identify single nucleotide polymorphism in the genome of different populations; comparative genomic hybridization (Array CGH) - mRNA or gene expression profiling - to study the expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously; Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) studies - to determine the binding of proteins specifc in specific portions of DNA (ChIP-on-chip technology).

DNA sequencing: New DNA sequencing techniques. Technological platforms for next generation sequencing for molecular diagnostics in vitro (Solexa Illumina, Affymetrix gene-chips, Roche 454, Applied Biosystems Solid, Helicos). Applications in the livestock production.

Applications of molecular markers in domestic species. Control of diseases and food safety using DNA for the traceability of animal products, crossings and improved selections, increased efficiency of livestock production, individual identification, sex identification, assessment relationship, identification of genetic markers associated with genes responsible for diseases. SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) as marker for the identification of polymorphisms in candidate genes associated to marker assisted selection.

GMOs in animal feed. What is a GMO. Global area of GM crops. The GM varieties. Legislation on the use of GM plants. Assessment of risks to human and animal health. Toxicity, allergy, antibiotic resistance, presence of transgenic fragments in tissues and / or organs. Analytical methods to identify GMOs in food.

Practical classes:
Animal Cell culture: epithelial cells of bovine mammary gland. Trypsinization and cells counting. Cellular protein extraction and quantification by colorimetric assay. RNA extraction from cell culture and quantification using fluorometric assay, reverse transcription of RNA. Quantitative PCR (Real Time PCR) for gene expression evaluation in bovine mammary gland cells.

The exercises are practical and are designed to provide the opportunity for each student to apply what they learned in class with the instrumentation available and will be performed in groups of 6-8 students in the teacher’s lab.

G.L. Mariottini et al. " Introduzione alle colture cellulari", Ed.Tecniche Nuove, 2010.
J. D. Watson, A. A. Caudy, R. M. Myers, J. A. Witkowski “DNA ricombinante«, Zanichelli, 2008.
Barcaccia G. e Falcinelli M. «Genetica e genomica» vol. III, Genomica e biotecnologie genetiche, capitolo 21, pag 1041-1123. Liguori editore.
- Teaching material provided by the teacher.

Biology of plant pathogens (bacteria, fungi, Pseudo-fungi, Viruses). Host-pathogen interactions: mode of attack by pathogens and plant defense mechanisms. Susceptibility, resistance, pathogenicity and virulence. Infection process. Epidemiological aspects of main pathogenic agents. Influence of environmental factors on the development and spread of the various diseases. Predictive models of epidemics. Control of the plant diseases (prevention and treatment) by conventional and environmentally friendly techniques. Use of innovative technologies (GIS, GPS, Aspis) in crop protection. Transgenic plants: risks and opportunities. Symptomatological aspects of the most important diseases of cultivated plants.

- Notes from lessons
- Agrios G.N. (2005). Plant pathology. 5a ed. Elsevier Academic Press. San Diego, California (USA).
- Belli G. (2007). Elementi di Patologia vegetale. Piccin Nuova Libraria, Padova.
- Goidanich G. (coordinator). Manuale di Patologia vegetale. Volumi I-IV, Edagricole, Bologna.

PROGRAM The course is organized in two main sections: the first is focused on biochemistry and the second on molecular biology.
Biochemistry 1- Introduction to the course / Basics 2-Carbohydrates: Monosaccharides, polysaccharides, glycoconjugates. 3- Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids. 4-Amino acids, peptides and proteins. Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins. Function of proteins. The role of enzymes. 5-Lipids: reserve lipids, membrane lipids, lipids as signals and cofactors. Exercises: carbohydrates: determination of total starch / amylose in wheat kernels.
Molecular Biology - 1-Organization of genetic material in species of agricultural interest 2- DNA replication 3- Transcription 4- Translation 5- Overview of gene regulation in plants of agricultural interest 6- Recombinant DNA technology. - Overview of Microbiology / cloning of genes isolated from plant species - Genbank and database Exercises 1- Working with E. coli (cloning of plant-isolated genes) 2- Extraction of plasmid DNA 3- Quantification of nucleic acids / DNA digestion 4- Electrophoresis. Applications of recombinant DNA technology 1- Genetic modification of plants 2- GMOs: myths and superstitions 3- Selected cases of products deriving from genetically modified plants

Biochimica e biologia molecolare. Principi e tecniche.Edizione italiana a cura di Mirella S. Pilone e Loredano Pollegioni. Raffaello Cortina Editore. Teaching materials provided by the professor.

Introduzione alla Biochimica di Lehninger. David L. Nelson, Michael M. Cox. Zanichelli.