Laurea magistrale in Biologia dell'Ambiente

Cytology, cellular biology with elements of signal transduction and molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology first level (degree)

Through the critical reading of cell biology scientific articles, students learn to address issues related to the biology of the cell, and in particular, signal transduction and cross-talk receptor, intracellular transport, cell cycle adjustments, autophagocytosis, ubiquitination, cell differentiation, cell-cell communication and interaction, with particular attention to the mechanisms and molecules involved in the regulation of attraction and repulsion, neuronal migration, axon pathfinding. Potential applications in the biomedical field will be also discussed. The main objective is to develop the ability to critically analyze and interpret the results of the recent scientific literature. For each item, students learn how to highlight the specific scientific question, to interpret data, to discuss the experimental approach followed by the authors. Through a series of activities, students learn how to design and implement (in a virtual way) different gene expression constructs to answer questions related to a scientific problem.

KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING SKILLS Communication and cell-cell interaction, neuronal migration regulation, axon pathfinding and analysis methods. Nature and biology of stem cells and possible applications in the biomedical field. USE OF KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING SKILLS Ability to propose appropriate solutions and experimental issues in modern cell biology and to design constructs to address different issues. INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT Interpretation and comparison of scientific data. COMMUNICATION SKILLS Presentation of scientific data derived from recent literature.

Multiple choice quizzes, short answers, open-ended questions on topics discussed in class; interpretation of experimental data and resolution of exercises similar to those carried out in the theoretical and practical cell biotechnology lessons. For the exam it is required to attend the laboratory lessons and to submit a final report before the deadline.

The main objective of the course is to convey to the students the ability to: 1-analyze and interpret scientific papers concerning cell biology topics; 2-design constructs for the expression of recombinant proteins, taking into account all the necessary steps. 1- Of each paper, emphasis is given to the specific scientific question addressed, as compared to the status of art, then data, experimental approach and methods used are analysed. The papers analyzed examine problems of cell biology, and confront issues such as: Signal transduction, recotpor cross-talk, intracellular transport, cell cycle regulation, autophagosis, stem cells, ubiquitination, cell communication and cell-cell interaction, with particular attention to the mechanisms and molecules (often receptors and ligands) involved in the regulation of attraction and repulsion, neuronal migration and axon pathfinding. Each paper is discussed using active learning techniques: students are invited to comment and to explain some parts and some techniques used by the authors. The teacher observes omissions and inaccuracies and helps students to fill them or correct them. Paper reading serves as a starting point for a thorough review and/or understanding of cellular and molecular biology techniques. 2- Through eight sessions in a computer room, students will simulate the design and construction of several plasmids and viral constructs to express a recombinant protein, both wild-type, and fused with GFP or a FLAG. Students will learn how to analyse the sequences in the database, how to align them, make exon-intron maps, draw primers; how to design reactions of RT-PCR, ligation and enzymatic digestion, analyze the obtained sequences, subclone the insert by a plasmid to another. Additional exercises will be provided online on the Moodle platform.

The material presented in class is available on the website, on the Moodle platform. Reading scientific articles is strongly suggested. Useful websites: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ http://tools.neb.com/NEBcutter2/index.php http://www.bioinformatics.org/annhyb/