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87614 - Molecular Biology of the Cell

Academic Year 2024/2025

                
                        Docente:
                        Alberto Danielli
                    
                        Credits:
                        6
                    
                        SSD:
                        BIO/11
                    
                        Language:
                        English
                    
                        Moduli:
                        
                            Alberto Danielli
                            (Modulo 1)
                        
                            Andrea Vannini
                            (Modulo 2)
                        
                        Teaching Mode:
                        
                                    Traditional lectures (Modulo 1)
                                
                                    Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
                                
                            Campus:
                            Bologna
                        
                            Corso:
                            First cycle degree programme (L) in
                            Genomics (cod. 9211)

                            Teaching resources on Virtuale
                        
                                        Course Timetable
                                    
from Mar 04, 2025 to Jun 13, 2025

                                        Course Timetable
                                    
from Jun 11, 2025 to Jun 12, 2025

Learning outcomes

The successful student is provided with an in-depth understanding of the molecular organization of cells and knows the basic mechanisms of gene regulation, protein synthesis, DNA replication, repair and recombination.

Course contents

INTRODUCTION: CELLS AND GENOMES

The Universal features of cells. Cellular building blocks. The genome as working blueprint for life. Central Dogma of molecular biology. Protein folding, domains, modifications, interactions. Plasma membrane. The lipid bilayer. Range of cell sizes and shapes.

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF NUCLEIC ACIDS

DNA double helix. DNA topological variations, supercoiling. The bacterial nucleoid. Chromosomal DNA and its packaging in Chromatin Fiber. Structure and versatility of RNA

CELL REPLICATION

The eukaryotic cell cycle. Cyclins and cdks. DNA replication. Chromosome segregation. The mitotic spindle.

TRANSCRIPTION

From DNA to RNA. Polymerases, Promoters, Termination. Transcriptional regulation

RNA PROCESSING

Capping. Polyadenylation. rRNA maturation, RNA Editing, RNA modifications

TRANSLATION

From RNA to protein: the genetic code. Ribosomes. tRNAs, AA-tRNA synthases the second genetic code. Translation initiation, elongation and termination, stop signals & release factors, Protein chaperones. Proteasome

RIBOREGULATION

Regulation by non-coding RNAs.Bacterial sRNAs, riboswitches.

Student Workshops

Cellular responses to DNA damage
dsDNA break repair & homologous recombination
Intracellular membrane transport
Principles of cell signaling
The cytoskeleton
Apoptosis
Cell junctions and the ECM

Hands-on lab

In vivo study of the post-transcriptional regulation mediated by the RyhB sRNA in Escherichia coli

Site directed mutagenesis
Preparative gel electrophoresis
DNA purification
Ligation
Molecular cloning
GFP reporter gene fusions
fluorimetry and flow cytometry

SEQUENCE ANALYSIS EXERCIZES

Readings/Bibliography

Craig et al.

Molecular Biology - Principles of Genome Function - second edition

OXFORD Press

Alberts et al.

Molecular Biology of the Cell - sixth edition

Garland Science

Milo & Phillips

Cell Biology by the Numbers

freely available from http://book.bionumbers.org/

Additional teaching material will be made available through the Virtuale UniBO repository. https://virtuale.unibo.it

Teaching methods

Frontal instruction with summarizing powerpoint presentations

Estimates and exercises to train biological numeracy

Problem posing and solving sessions, active classroom approaches

Student workshops

Hands-on activity (wet-lab)

Sequence analysis exercises

IMPORTANT: As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students (including all the international incoming exchange students, i.e. ERASMUS) must attend Module 1, 2 online [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio ], while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme ("studiare"--"formazione obbligatoria su sicurezza e salute").