07157 - Biology of Human Populations

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student owns the thoretical and methodological bases for the analysis of human populations variability and biological evolution. In particular, the student is able to: i) understand evolutionary factors and mechanisms determining the variability of anthropological charachters, ii) analyse the genetic structure and history of human populations, iii) explore the relationships among human biodiversity, environment and health.

Course contents

Module 1 (Prof. Alessio Boattini): 20 hrs. 

1. Introduction to the study of human biodiversity;
2. Basic concepts about the evolution of our species;
3. Genetic history of human populations: Out-of-Africa, Neolithic Transition, Post-Neolithic Migrations;
4. Human ecology and adaptations to environments. 

Module 2 (Dr.ssa Stefania Sarno): 20 hrs.

1. Introduction to genetics and most important genetic markers
2. Basic concepts of population genetics
3. Processes shaping the genetic variability of human populations: Mutation, Recombination, Genetic drift, Migration and gene flow, Natural selection
4. Analysis of genetic diversity of human populations. Diversity measures and genetic distance. Phylogenetic analyses. Population structure analysis. 

Module 3 (Dr.ssa Cristina Giuliani): 20 hrs.

1. Epigenetic human variability
2. Evolution of human nutrition: causes and mechanisms that predispose to modern diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Calorie restriction, evolutive rationale and effects on health
3. Physiological variability among human populations popolazioni umane
4. Aging, senescence and longevity

Readings/Bibliography

Pdf slides of the lessons provided by the teachers and selected chapters (as specified during lessons) from the following books:

• –Toomas Kivisild • Chris Tyler-Smith • Matthew Hurles • Edward Hollox • Mark A. Jobling • “Human Evolutionary Genetics (II edition)”.
• –Mark Stoneking • “An Introduction to Molecular Anthropology”.
• –David Reich • “Chi siamo e come siamo arrivati fino a qui. Il DNA antico e la nuova scienza del passato dell’umanità”.
• –Daniel Lieberman • “La storia del corpo umano. Evoluzione, salute e malattia”.
• –Jared Diamond • “Il mondo fino a ieri. Che cosa possiamo imparare dalle società tradizionali”.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons

Assessment methods

The exam of Biology of Human populations is aimed to verify that the student learned the theoretical and methodological bases for the analysis and interpretation of evolutive processes that shape human biodiversity. The written test includes multiple choice questions and open questions about each of the three lesson modules. The final mark (expressed in thirtieths) is defined by the sum of the scores obtained in each question.

Teaching tools

PC, projector

Office hours

See the website of Alessio Boattini

See the website of Stefania Sarno

See the website of Cristina Giuliani