MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Learning outcomes of the course unit
Comprehension of the biochemical aspects that govern the processes responsible for genetic preservation and evolution of living organisms.
Comprehension of the general information pathways through the replication, transcription and transduction processes
Prerequisites
knowledge of chemistry and basic biochemistry
Course contents summary
In the first part of the teaching will be assessed the level of knowledge of the concepts that constitute the prerequisites.
In the second part we will look at topics that relate to the structural organization of the genes.
In Part III we will discuss the general mechanisms of regulation of gene expression and the main points of the metabolism of DNA and RNA.
Finally will be processed some aspects of protein synthesis.
Course contents
Genes and chromosomes: chromosomal elements, DNA super coil, structure of chromosomes
Gene expression regulation in bacteria and eukaryotes
DNA metabolism: replication, repair and recombination
RNA metabolism: RNA synthesis DNA dependent, RNA maturation, RNA and DNA synthesis DNA dependent
Recommended readings
D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox
Introduzione alla biochimica di Lehninger
Zanichelli Editore
Teaching methods
lectures
Assessment methods and criteria
oral examination