SCIENZE BIOMEDICHE

Module BIOLOGIA APPLICATA

The Applied Biology course is designed to provide students with learning outcomes consistent with the European Qualification Framework:

D1. Knowledge and understanding

Students acquire fundamental knowledge of applied biology, with particular reference to cell structure and function, gene expression processes, molecular mechanisms underlying biological processes, and the main biological processes relevant to biomedical and diagnostic applications. Students also gain an understanding of the biological principles underlying laboratory techniques.

D2. Applying knowledge and understanding

Students are able to apply acquired knowledge to the analysis and interpretation of biological data and information, demonstrating autonomy of judgment and evaluating their scientific validity and relevance in the context of diagnostic applications and professional activities within the biomedical laboratory.

D3. Making judgements

Students develop the ability to critically evaluate biological data and information, assess the scientific consistency of experimental results, and verify the reliability of scientific sources. They are able to relate fundamental biological concepts to diagnostic and clinical implications, making informed decisions in the professional context.

D4. Communication skills

Students are able to communicate knowledge and concepts of applied biology clearly and effectively, using appropriate scientific terminology, both in written and oral form, and to interact efficiently with healthcare professionals and biomedical laboratory staff.

D5. Learning skills

Students demonstrate independent learning abilities that enable continuous updating of knowledge in applied biology and further in-depth study of the topics covered, also through the consultation of specialized scientific literature.

The course includes lectures and exercises in the laboratory of cellular and molecular biology. If the teaching is given in mixed or distance learning mode, the necessary variations may be introduced with respect to what has been declared, in order to respect the program envisaged and reported in the syllabus.

Knowledge on the main cellular processes.

The general characteristics of living matter. Chemical composition of living matter. Cell theory.
THE BASES OF THE BIOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION - Classification of organisms. Structure and function of eukaryotic cells (plasma membrane, nucleus, nucleolus, nucleoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, mitochondria, Golgi complex, lysosomes, peroxisomes, cytoskeleton) and prokaryotic cells.
NUCLEIC ACIDS - structure and function of DNA and RNA.
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE GENE - Gene structure in eukaryotes: function of promoters, exons and introns.
DUPLICATION OF DNA - Model of semiconservative replication. General characteristics of DNA duplication: DNA polymerases, topoisomerases, the replication bubble, Okazaki fragments, "proofreading".
RNA TRANSCRIPTION AND MATURATION - Dogma of molecular biology. General characteristics of the transcription. Transcription in eukaryotes: assembly of the pre-initiation complex, end of transcription. Mechanisms of mRNA maturation: capping, polyA tail, splicing.
PROTEIN SYNTHESIS - The properties of the genetic code. The translation apparatus: structure and function of ribosomes and tRNAs. Beginning of the translation. Elongation. Termination.
MYTHOSIS AND MEIOSIS - Genetic significance of meiosis.
MENDELIAN GENETICS

Transcription, structure and function of the plasma membrane, DNA duplication, mitosis and meiosis, genetic code