APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY
Learning outcomes of the course unit
The course is aimed at teaching knowledge and understanding of the basics of molecular biology.
The student will also learn to apply the acquired knowledge and understanding in the study of domestic animal biochemistry, physiology and pathology..
The main objective of the course is to provide the students with the fundamentals of molecular biology and cellular biology, focusing on the basic concepts and applications related to the veterinary medicine. By the end of the course the student should be able to describe the mechanisms involved in the flow of the genetic information. In particular he should demonstrate a critical comprehension of the molecular mechanisms involved in the conservation, duplication and expression of the genetic information, their role in the regulation of the cell functions and and their alteration in disease. Furthermore the student should acquire the knowledge of the most important molecular biology techniques applied in veterinary diagnostic.
Prerequisites
Nelson D.L., Cox M.M: I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger, Zanichelli (2002)
Cooper G.M.: La cellula - un approccio molecolare, Zanichelli (1998)
Lodish H, Berk A, Zipursky SL, Matsudaira P, Baltimore D, Darnell JE : Biologia
molecolare della cellula, Zanichelli (2002)
Alberts B.,Bray D., Hopkin K., Johnson A., Lewis J., Raff M., Roberts K., Walter P.: L¡¦essenziale di biologia molecolare della cellule, Zanichelli (2005)
Course contents summary
The flow of the genetic information: Nucleic acids: DNA and RNA. Genes, chromosomes and chromatin. Duplication and maintenance of genomic DNA. DNA transcription in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Protein synthesis. The cell cycle.
Fundamentals of molecular biology: recombinant DNA and gene cloning. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR and RT-PCR), Southern and Northern blotting
Applications of the molecular diagnostics and of the recombinant biotechnologies to the diagnosis and prevention of diseases.
Recommended readings
NELSON D.L., COX M.M: I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger, Zanichelli (2002)
COOPER G.M.: La cellula - un approccio molecolare, Zanichelli (1998)
LODISH H, BERK A, ZIPURSKY SL, MATSUDAIRA P, BALTIMORE D, DARNELL JE : Biologia
molecolare della cellula, Zanichelli (2002)
Alberts B.,Bray D., Hopkin K., Johnson A., Lewis J., Raff M., Roberts K., Walter P.: L¡¦essenziale di biologia molecolare della cellule, Zanichelli (2005)
Teaching methods
Oral lesson and laboratory
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination
