Learning objectives
To provide the first year students with the basic concepts of classical and molecular genetics
Prerequisites
None
Course unit content
The cours is composed of two main sections.
1.CLASSICAL GENETICS: Mitosis and meiosis. Mendelian genetics. Independent assortment and genetic characters segregation. Modification of mendelian ratios: Co-dominance, Multiple alleles, Lethal alleles, Gene interaction. X-linked genes. Chromosome theory of inheritance. Linkage and recombination. Crossing over. Recombination in yeast (tetrads analysis). Mechanisms of genetic recombination in prokaryotes: bacterial transformation, bacterial conjugation, transduction
2. MOLECULAR BASIS OF HEREDITY: Experiments leading to the discovery of DNA as genetic material. DNA: structure and replcation. Chromosome structure in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. RNA structure, transcription and translation. The genetic code and its deciphering. Gene structure and organisation. Interrupted genes. The one-gene: one-enzyme hypothesis. Dissection of biochemical pathways. Genetic complementation. Gene expression. Genome, chromosomes and gene mutations. Molecular basis of the mutation. Reversion. Suppression. Detection of spontaneous or induced mutants. Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes. Operon Lac: negative and positive control. Operon TRP. Retroinibition
Practical and theoric activities are supporting the lessons.
Full programme
1.CLASSICAL GENETICS: Mitosis and meiosis. Mendelian genetics. Independent assortment and genetic characters segregation. Modification of mendelian ratios: Co-dominance, Multiple alleles, Lethal alleles, Gene interaction. X-linked genes. Chromosome theory of inheritance. Linkage and recombination. Crossing over. Recombination in yeast (tetrads analysis). Mechanisms of genetic recombination in prokaryotes: bacterial transformation, bacterial conjugation, transduction
2. MOLECULAR BASIS OF HEREDITY: Experiments leading to the discovery of DNA as genetic material. DNA: structure and replcation. Chromosome structure in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. RNA structure, transcription and translation. The genetic code and its deciphering. Gene structure and organisation. Interrupted genes. The one-gene: one-enzyme hypothesis. Dissection of biochemical pathways. Genetic complementation. Gene expression. Genome, chromosomes and gene mutations. Molecular basis of the mutation. Reversion. Suppression. Detection of spontaneous or induced mutants. Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes. Operon Lac: negative and positive control. Operon TRP. Retroinibition
Practical and theoric activities are supporting the lessons.
Bibliography
Snustad DP, Simmons MJ (2014)
Principi di Genetica
5a Edizione
EdiSES
Binelli, Ghisotti (2018)
Genetica
EdiSES
Griffiths AJF, Wessler SR, Carroll SB, Doebley J (2013)
Genetica
7a Edizione
Zanichelli Ed
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures and exercises; laboratory activities
Assessment methods and criteria
Written and oral exam
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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