Molecular organization of the living matter. Macromolecules in the cellular context. The nucleus and the organization of chromatine. Genes and the human genome.
Alberts et al. Biologia Molecolare della Cellula. Zanichelli Ed.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired: basic molecular biology. The information in DNA. Human genome and its variations. Basic techniques in molecular biology.
Competence acquired : ability to analitically read and understand scientific articles. Ability to analyze biological information at the molecular level. Theoretical and practical knowledge of the following techniques: DNA extraction and electrophoresis, PCR, microarray.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
ability to understand the meaning of sequences carrying biological information. Ability to understand most common methods in molecular biology. Ability to plan and perform experiments using the techniques described above.
Prerequisites
Courses to be used as requirements (required and/or recommended)
Courses required:
Courses recommmended
Cytology and Histology.
Biological Chemistry
Genetics
Teaching Methods
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...): 225
Hours reserved to private study and other indivual formative activities: 145
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 56
Contact hours for: Laboratory (hours): 24
Contact hours for: Laboratory-field/practice (hours):
Seminars (hours): 0
Stages: 0
Intermediate examinations: 0
Further information
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab:
recommended
Teaching tools
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/
Office hours:
Monday and Thursday, 9-11.
Please contact:
marco.ruggiero@unifi.it
Type of Assessment
Exam modality: written and oral interrogation
Course program
Molecular organization of the living matter. Flow of biological information from DNA to RNA to proteins. Macromolecules in the cellular context. The plasma membrane. Transmembrane proteins. Genes and the human genome. Organization of the genome. Molecular aspects of cellular differentiation. Somatic and germinal cells. Stem cells. Cellular homeostasis and signaling. Cell cultures. DNA extraction and electrophoresis, PCR, microarray.