CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher:
SIMONA REINA
Expected Learning Outcomes
The course of Cell and Molecular Biology aims to provide students with knowledge and stimulate the ability to understand the physical, chemical and biological contexts in which molecules, reactions and metabolic pathways are framed. Lectures will emphasize the relationships between structure and function of major classes of macromolecules and metabolic regulation at the molecular and cellular levels. To stimulate student interest, the various topics will be explained by emphasizing logical and consequential interconnections, highlighting clinical aspects, and introducing experimental methods. Laboratory activities will also provide skills in the main molecular biology techniques such as cloning, PCR, bacterial cultures, and proteomic techniques. Students' ability to apply knowledge and understanding will be evidenced by the opportunity to discuss and intervene in lectures through discussion with colleagues and with the lecturer, thus stimulated in their autonomy of judgment and communication skills. Overall learning ability will be assessed through students' discussion with the lecturer during lectures, tutorials and oral test.
Course Structure
The course includes frontal lessons and 1 CFU of training within the Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Required Prerequisites
Knowledge of cell logic, cell organization, basic concepts of chemistry and biochemistry
Attendance of Lessons
Course attendance is compulsory to the extent stipulated in the course regulations.
Detailed Course Content
THE CELL: organization, mitosis, meiosis, outline of genetics
THE NUCLEIC ACIDS: History, Structure 1st and Structure 2nd
THE GENES: differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes
THE TRANSMISSION OF GENETIC INFORMATION AND RNA MOLECULES: The central dogma of biology and its modifications - tRNA as an adaptor - mRNA: function (Bacteria and Eukaryotes) - REPLICATION: DNApolymerase
TRANSCRIPTION - mechanism and general concepts - Components of the transcriptional unit: promoter-site initiation-transcription-terminator - Importance of transcription in the regulation of gene expression - General steps of transcription
REGULATION OF TRANSCRIPTION IN PROKARYOTES - OPERON ORGANIZATION
REGULATION OF TRANSCRIPTION IN EUKARYOTES - TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS
TRANSCRIPTION IN EUKARYOTS : RNA polymerase - Factors of Transcription
PROTEIN SYNTHESIS - Ribosomes - Stages of protein synthesis - the inhibitors of protein synthesis
THE GENETIC CODE
RNA PROCESSING - Splicing and alternative splicing
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TECHNIQUES
NUCLEIC ACID MANIPULATION - electrophoresis - restriction enzymes -Southern and Northern blot - DNA sequencing
VECTORS - Plasmids - principle and practice of cloning
PCR - principles of the method - analysis of results
Textbook Information
Watson, J.D. et al., Biologia Molecolare del gene VIII ed., Zanichelli 2022
Zlatanova & van Holde, Biologia molecolare, Zanchelli 2018
Nelson & Cox, I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger, Zanichelli 2018
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The final exam consists of an oral interview aimed at verifying the acquisition of the knowledge outlined in the program and the achievement of the educational objectives of the Cell and Molecular Biology course.
The examination is normally structured as follows:- At least 2 questions on Cell Biology, focusing on the molecular and structural mechanisms of the cell.
- At least 2 questions on Molecular Biology, focusing on the topological properties of DNA, replication, transcription, and gene expression.
- At least 1 question on biomolecular techniques, with reference to the practical experience gained during the educational laboratory sessions.
Evaluation Criteria:
The final grade (expressed on a 30-point scale, with honors/lode where applicable) will take into account the following elements:- Level of knowledge of the topics covered and scientific rigor (40%).
- Ability to critically connect the different modules and biological processes (30%).
- Command of language and appropriate use of technical and scientific terminology (20%).
- Clarity of exposition and critical analysis skills (10%).
The average duration of the interview is approximately 40 minutes.
Information for students with disabilities and/or DSA
To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the educational objectives and specific needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP representative (Centre for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSA) of the Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
What is protein synthesis?
What is the B conformation of DNA?
How are PCR primers drawn?
How we can produce a recombinant protein?
