HEME-PROTEINS. HEME METABOLISM AND RELATED DISEASES. HEME BIOSYNTHESIS AND RELATED DISEASES. IRON METABOLISM AND RELATED DISEASES. INORGANIC BIOFACTORS: OXYGEN, CARBON MONOXIDE, NITROGEN MONOXIDE, HYDROGEN SULFIDE. BIOCHEMICAL AND CELLULAR ROLES OF THE INORGANIC BIOFACTORS. ROLE IOF THE INORGANIC BIOFACTORS IN HUMANN DISEASES ONSET. THE THERAPEUTIC USE OF THE INORGANIC BIOFACTORS. REACTIVE OXYGEN AND NITROGEN SPECIES. MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASES. THE ENERGETIC MATTER OF CANCER CELLS. THE METABOLIC REQUIREMENTS OF CANCER CELLS: THE WARBURG AND REVERSE WARBURG EFFECTS.

SCIENTIFIC PAPERS SUPPLIED BY THE TEACHER.
Support texts:
Siliprandi & Tettamanti "Biochimica Medica - strutturale, metabolica e funzionale" Ed. Piccin
- Chiurchiù & Maccarrone "I radicali liberi e la loro rilevanza in biomedicina: dai meccanismi molecolari alle prospettive terapeutiche" Ed Piccin

RECEPTION TIME: Mondays 10 am (please fix an appointment, alessandra.dimasi@uniroma3.it)

1. BASIC TECHNOLOGIES OF GENE ANALYSIS; RESTRICTION ENZYMES; ELECTROPHORETIC ANALYSIS. 2. VECTORS; CLONING. 3. PCR; REAL TIME PCR; PCR APPLICATIONS. 4. GENETIC VARIABILITY APPLIED TO FORENSIC SCIENCE 5. GENE IDENTIFICATION; GENOMIC LIBRERIES AND cDNA LIBRERIES; YEAST TWO HYBRID SYSTEM 6. MUTAGENESIS. 7. RECOMBINANT PROTEIN PRODUCTION AND PURIFICATION. 8. FROM SANGER SEQUENCING TO NEXT-GENERATION SEQUENCING. 9. POST-GENOMICS ANALYSIS; TRANSCRIPTOMIC ANALYSIS; REPORTER GENES. 10. PROTEOMIC ANALYSIS. 11. PRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS OF TRANSGENIC PLANTS. 12. GENETIC MODIFICATION OF ANIMAL CELLS; TRANSGENIC ANIMALS CONSTRUCTION. 13. GENE TRAPPING; GENE TARGETING. 14. ANIMAL CLONING; GENE THERAPY. 15. THE CRISPR-CAS SYSTEM: EMERGING TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATION AND APPLICATIONS.

Recommended textbooks:
1. METODOLOGIE BIOCHIMICHE STRUMENTI E TECNICHE PER IL LABORATORIO DEL NUOVO MILLENNIO, MACCARRONE M., E BIOMOLECOLARI, CASA EDITRICE ZANICHELLI
2. DAI GENI AI GENOMI, JEREMY W. DALE, MALCOLM VON SCHANTZ, NICK PLANT, A CURA DI: E. GINELLI, CASA EDITRICE EDISES
3. ANALISI DEI GENI E GENOMI, REECE, EDISES.
4. TECNICHE E METODI PER LA BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE, AMALDI F., BENEDETTI P., PESOLE G., PLEVANI P., CASA EDITRICE AMBROSIANA.

Lecture notes and calculation exercises will be provided.
Non-attending students are invited to request information on the program, teaching materials and how to evaluate the profit.
The professor receives every day from 10.00 to 11.00 by appointment via e-mail: manuela.cervelli@uniroma3.it

This course will provide students with an in-depth knowledge of plant transformation techniques and plant biotechnology applications for crop improvement and the production of new molecules. This course will also give information on emerging technologies, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and will describe their importance in plant biotechnology research.
Another important aim of the course is to prepare students to conduct laboratory work and research in the sectors of plant biotechnology and food industry, as well as to critically analyze scientific information

Three are the main arguments of the course:
-Gene transfer techniques;
-Applications of Plant Biotechnology;
-Analysis of Risks and Benefits of plant genetic manipulation.

In detail, during the course the following arguments are discussed:
Techniques for gene transfer into the nuclear and palstidic genome; Techniques for in vitro culture of plant cells; Use of selectable gene markers and reporte genes; Strategies to remove selectable markers from transgenic plants; Inducible expressione of transgenes in plants; Transient expression of genes in plants; Gene silencing in plants and applications; 'Gene targeting' in plants; 'Genome editing' in plants; Plants with improved nutritional value; Production of various molecules, such as antibodies and vaccines, in transgenic plants; Biotechnological strategies to obtain plants resistant to herbicides, pathogens and environmental stresses; Plants with increased Photosynthetic rate; Biosafety and Bioethical issues related to plant Biotechnology; emerging technologies and Plant Biotechnology

-Recommended textbooks:

1. BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS (2000) BUCHANAN B.B, GRUISSEM W., JONES R.L., AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGISTS, ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND.
2. HANDBOOK OF PLANT BIOYECHNOLOGY (2004) CHRISTOU P., KLEE H., HOBOKEN, (N.J.), WILEY.
3. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY AND TRANSGENIC PLANTS (2002) OKSMAN-CALDENTEY K.-M., BARZ W.H., NEW YORK, DEKER.

-Scientific articles published in international journals (pdf files will be provided).
-Lecture notes will be provided.

INTRODUCTION TO ENDOCRINOLOGY (1 CFU): HISTORY, CHEMICAL NATURE OF HORMONES, EVOLUTION OF CHEMICAL SIGNALS. ENDOCRINE GLANDS, HORMONE SYNTHESIS AND RELEASE (ENDOCRINE, AUTOCRINE, PARACRINE, AND INTRACRINE ACTIONS, HORMONAL RHYTMS). HORMONES FROM ENDOCRINE GLANDS (HYPOTALAMUS AND PITUITARY, PANCREAS, THYROID and PARATHYROID HORMONES, ADRENALS, GONADS). HORMONES PRODUCED BY SPECIALIZED CELLS (BONES, MUSCLE). MECHANISMS OF HORMONE ACTIONS (SIGNALLING FROM MEMBRANE AND INTRACELLULAR RECEPTORS).

THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY (3 CFU): REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY (FETAL GROWTH, PREGNANCY, MATERNAL ADAPTATION TO PREGNANCY). GROWTH (GROWTH FACTORS AND ONCOGENES IN FETAL GROWTH, POSTNATAL GROWTH, PUBERTY, HORMONES AND THE GENDER/SEX DIFFERENCES). AGEING (THEORIES, HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPIES, GERIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY). METABOLIC ENDOCRINOLOGY (REGULATION OF FOOD UPTAKE, REGULATION OF DIGESTIVE PROCESSES, OBESITY)
HORMONES AND ENVIRONMENTAL INJURIES (1 CFU): STRESS ADAPTATION. ENVIRONMENTAL ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS. DISORDERS OF THE ENDOCRINOLOGY SYSTEM (CELL GROWTH AND CANCER).

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE (1 CFU)

The arguments of the introduction are available in every book of General Physiology. Moreover, review will be provided in the classroom.

The first part of the course will give an integrated view of gastro-intestinal anatomy, physiology and regulation as well as how the gut extracts and utilizes the nutrients in the diet. In addition to these classical aspects more contemporary topics are included such as the importance of the gut microflora and its interaction with the gut immune system, appetite regulation and the problems with overeating and obesity.
The course will focus on the homeostatic maintenance of energetic balance, on the composition of human body, and on the evaluation of nutritional needs in physiological States (e.g., development, pregnancy, ageing). A particular attention will be addressed to the relationship between nutrition and maintenance of human health. Finally, you learn about the pathophysiological aspects of gut function (malnutrition, overnutrition, food intolerance) and the dietetic approaches to balance the deficiencies in homeostasis.
An application of these concepts will be supplied by study the nutritional needs during physical exercise.

Lucantonio Debellis, Alessandro Poli "Alimentazione Nutrizione e Salute" Edises Università

The course aims at providing to the student:
- adequate knowledge and understanding on advanced methodologies in bacterial genetics, appropriate methodologies and communication skills for the study of genotype-phenotype relationships in bacteria;
- adequate applied knowledge for the evaluation and drafting of experimental approaches, and for retrieving and critically reviewing relevant scientific literature from on-line databases (making judgements).

Programme
- structure, organization, functioning and evolution of the bacterial chromosome;
- methods for the sequencing and analysis of bacterial genomes;
- structure, organization, function and evolution of mobile genetic elements (plasmids and transposons);
- genetic and molecular bases of horizontal gene transfer;
- genetic and molecular bases of gene expression regulation in bacteria;
- genetic bases and experimental approaches for the study of antibiotic resistance and tolerance;
- methods for the identification and validation of essential genes.

Selected topics will be available on suggested Bacterial Genetics books, as indicated in the following reference list. Specific research papers and experimental protocols will be provided during theoretic lessons on advanced research topics and laboratory practices.
Innovative teaching will be promoted by sharing power-point presentations illustrating the main topics of the course on e-learning . Moreover, students will be encouraged to make use of web-based resources and databases to autonomously increase their knowledge on specific advanced topics.

Basic Immunology
Introduction to the immune response
General features of innate immunity
General features of adaptive immunity
Component of the Immune System
Innate Immunity
The B cell receptor: protein and genes
B cell development, activation and effector functions
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
Antigen processing and presentation
The T cell receptor: protein and genes
T cell development, activation and effector functions
Regulation of immune response in the periphery (Tolerance)

Clinic Immunology
Immune Hypersensitivity
Autoimmune Diseases
Immunodeficiency
Tumor Immunology

Abul K. Abbas and Andrew H. Lichtman and Shiv Pillai – Immunologia cellulare e molecolare – Decima edizione 2022, Edito da Edra - Masson ISBN: 978 88 214 5573-5

Tak W. Mak, Mary E. Saunders, Bradley D. Jett. Primer to the Immune Response. 2nd Edition (2014) – Paperback ISBN: 9780123852458; eBook ISBN: 9780123854612

Biochemical Methods Module (Prof. Alessandra di Masi)

- Biochemical methodologies in scientific research. Basic equipment in the biochemistry laboratory (glassware, scales, stirrers, thermostated systems, pH meters, hoods, centrifuges).
- Volumetry and weighing. Preparations of solutions, dilutions, buffer systems.
- Production of recombinant proteins: cloning, mutagenesis, expression systems in bacteria, yeasts, mammalian cells, insect cells. Fusion proteins.
- Methods for protein purification: separation techniques. Extraction of proteins from the biological source. Methods of fractionation of protein mixtures. Homogenization of cells with potter, ultraturrax, sonication, continuous pressure homogenizers (1st Laboratory experience).
- Protein purification with chromatographic techniques: gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, immunoaffinity chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, reverse phase chromatography. HPLC applications (with laboratory experience) (2nd laboratory experience).
- Quantification of proteins. (3rd Laboratory experience)
- Electrophoresis. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in native or denaturing conditions (SDS-PAGE) detection techniques, quantitative densitometric analysis of bands, determination of molecular weight, gradient electrophoresis, preparative electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, two-dimensional electrophoresis. (4th Laboratory experience)
- Immunochemical techniques: antibodies, western blotting, ELISA and RIA, immunoprecipitation. (5th Laboratory experience)
- Spectroscopic methods for the study of proteins. UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy. Fluorescence spectroscopy. Polarized light spectroscopy. Advanced spectroscopies. (6th Laboratory experience)
- Study of enzymes and proteins. Enzymatic kinetics: calculation of Km, Ki, Ka. Study of the type of inhibition: competitive, non-competitive, uncompetitive and mixed. Use of substrate analogues, effect of pH and temperature (7 ° Laboratory experience).
- Dosage of metabolites. Acid or basic deproteinization. Metabolite assay by spectrophotometric, spectrofluorimetric methods, ATP assay, glucose. Use of HPLC in the dosage of metabolites.
- Biochemical methods for the analysis of molecular interactions. Ligand protein analysis. Protein interaction analysis.

- Keith Wilson and John Walker: Biochimica e biologia molecolare: principi e tecniche. EDs. 2019 Raffaello Cortina.
- M.Maccarrone. Metodologie Biochimiche e Biomolecolari, Ed. Zanichelli Ed.
- Bonaccorsi, Contestabile, Di Salvo. Metodologie biochimiche, Ed. Zanichelli
- Michael C. Whitlock, Dolph Schluter, ANALISI STATISTICA DEI DATI BIOLOGICI, Zanichelli Editore, Ed. 2022.

Slides of each lesson will be made available.

THE COURSE (6 CFU) IS DIVIDED INTO TWO MAIN PARTS. THE FIRST ONE (5.5 CFU) IS AIMED AT DESCRIBING THE HISTORICAL AND NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK. THE SECOND ONE IS PLANNED TO FOCUS THE STUDY ON A VARIETY OF BOTH IN VITRO AND IN VIVO EXPERIMENTAL MODELS, WHOSE EMPLOYMENT IS USEFUL IN EITHER BIOLOGY APPLIED TO HUMAN HEALTH OR CELLULAR/MOLECULAR BIOLOGY. STARTING POINTS FOR DISCUSSIONS WILL BE PROVIDED, IN ORDER TO ENGAGE THE LEARNERS FOR THE WRITING OF A REPORT THAT WILL BE GOAL OF EXAMINATION. LABORATORY PRACTICES (0.5 CFU) WILL BE FIXED TOGETHER WITH THE STUDENTS WITH THE AIM OF ACQUIRING NEW TECHNIQUES ON SOME EXPERIMENTAL MODELS WIDELY USED IN BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH

TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL FOR HOMEWORKS WILL BE SUGGESTED TO LEARNERS DURING THE COURSE.

Introduction; Antigene definition; the cells of the immune system
The fisico-chemical barriers and the lymphatic system
The complement system and its role in the antimicrobial response
Innate immunity and recognition of PAMPs (Pathogen Associated Moecular Patterns)
The cytokines
The structure of the antibodies, T cell receptor (TCR) and B cell receptor (BCR), and the major histocompatibility complex
Signal transduction of the TCR and BCR
T cell activation
Humoral response to microbes
Evasion of the immune response by microrganisms
Coordination of innate and adaptive immune response to microbes
Mucosal immunity and the role of microbiota
Vaccines and infection
Immunodeficiency and HIV infection
Autophagy and immune response
Diagnosis of viral and bacterial infection based on the immune response
Flowcytometry and the analysis of the immune system

Janaway's Immunobiology (Piccin); Immunologia cellulare e molecolare (Feltrinelli)
the professor makes the slides available to the students.

INTRODUCTION: NATURE OF DRUGS, DRUG NOMENCLATURE, DRUG CLASSIFICATION. CLINICAL AND PRECLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY.
PRINCIPLES OF GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY- PHARMACOKINETICS: THE DYNAMICS OF DRUG ABSORPTION, DISTRIBUTION, BIOTRANSFORMATION AND ELIMINATION. MAIN PHARMACOKINETIC PARAMETERS. PHARMACODYNAMICS: MECHANISMS OF DRUG ACTION; DRUG RECEPTORS; DRUG-RECEPTOR INTERACTIONS; SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION MECHANISMS; AGONISTS AND ANTAGONISTS. NEUROTRANSMITTERS.
SYSTEMATIC PHARMACOLOGY- MECHANISM OF ACTION, THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS AND SIDE EFFECTS OF THE MAIN CLASSES OF DRUGS: AUTONOMIC DRUGS; DRUGS THAT ACT IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM; CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS; ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS; BRONCHODILATORS AND OTHER DRUGS USED IN ASTHMA; DRUGS USED IN GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS; CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY; ANTIMICROBIC DRUGS.

Clark, Finkel, Rey, Whalen. “Pharmacology", Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews, 5th Edition

Power-point files of the lessons will be provided

To get an appointment with the Professor, email to: viviana.trezza@uniroma3.it

HEME-PROTEINS. HEME METABOLISM AND RELATED DISEASES. HEME BIOSYNTHESIS AND RELATED DISEASES. IRON METABOLISM AND RELATED DISEASES. INORGANIC BIOFACTORS: OXYGEN, CARBON MONOXIDE, NITROGEN MONOXIDE, HYDROGEN SULFIDE. BIOCHEMICAL AND CELLULAR ROLES OF THE INORGANIC BIOFACTORS. ROLE IOF THE INORGANIC BIOFACTORS IN HUMANN DISEASES ONSET. THE THERAPEUTIC USE OF THE INORGANIC BIOFACTORS. REACTIVE OXYGEN AND NITROGEN SPECIES. MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASES. THE ENERGETIC MATTER OF CANCER CELLS. THE METABOLIC REQUIREMENTS OF CANCER CELLS: THE WARBURG AND REVERSE WARBURG EFFECTS.

SCIENTIFIC PAPERS SUPPLIED BY THE TEACHER.
Support texts:
Siliprandi & Tettamanti "Biochimica Medica - strutturale, metabolica e funzionale" Ed. Piccin
- Chiurchiù & Maccarrone "I radicali liberi e la loro rilevanza in biomedicina: dai meccanismi molecolari alle prospettive terapeutiche" Ed Piccin

RECEPTION TIME: Mondays 10 am (please fix an appointment, alessandra.dimasi@uniroma3.it)

INTRODUCTION: NATURE OF DRUGS, DRUG NOMENCLATURE, DRUG CLASSIFICATION. CLINICAL AND PRECLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY.
PRINCIPLES OF GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY- PHARMACOKINETICS: THE DYNAMICS OF DRUG ABSORPTION, DISTRIBUTION, BIOTRANSFORMATION AND ELIMINATION. MAIN PHARMACOKINETIC PARAMETERS. PHARMACODYNAMICS: MECHANISMS OF DRUG ACTION; DRUG RECEPTORS; DRUG-RECEPTOR INTERACTIONS; SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION MECHANISMS; AGONISTS AND ANTAGONISTS. NEUROTRANSMITTERS.
SYSTEMATIC PHARMACOLOGY- MECHANISM OF ACTION, THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS AND SIDE EFFECTS OF THE MAIN CLASSES OF DRUGS: AUTONOMIC DRUGS; DRUGS THAT ACT IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM; CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS; ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS; BRONCHODILATORS AND OTHER DRUGS USED IN ASTHMA; DRUGS USED IN GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS; CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY; ANTIMICROBIC DRUGS.

Clark, Finkel, Rey, Whalen. “Pharmacology", Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews, 5th Edition

Power-point files of the lessons will be provided

To get an appointment with the Professor, email to: viviana.trezza@uniroma3.it

The course aims at providing to the student:
- adequate knowledge and understanding on advanced methodologies in bacterial genetics, appropriate methodologies and communication skills for the study of genotype-phenotype relationships in bacteria;
- adequate applied knowledge for the evaluation and drafting of experimental approaches, and for retrieving and critically reviewing relevant scientific literature from on-line databases (making judgements).

Programme
- structure, organization, functioning and evolution of the bacterial chromosome;
- methods for the sequencing and analysis of bacterial genomes;
- structure, organization, function and evolution of mobile genetic elements (plasmids and transposons);
- genetic and molecular bases of horizontal gene transfer;
- genetic and molecular bases of gene expression regulation in bacteria;
- genetic bases and experimental approaches for the study of antibiotic resistance and tolerance;
- methods for the identification and validation of essential genes.

Selected topics will be available on suggested Bacterial Genetics books, as indicated in the following reference list. Specific research papers and experimental protocols will be provided during theoretic lessons on advanced research topics and laboratory practices.
Innovative teaching will be promoted by sharing power-point presentations illustrating the main topics of the course on e-learning . Moreover, students will be encouraged to make use of web-based resources and databases to autonomously increase their knowledge on specific advanced topics.

Biochemical Methods Module (Prof. Alessandra di Masi)

- Biochemical methodologies in scientific research. Basic equipment in the biochemistry laboratory (glassware, scales, stirrers, thermostated systems, pH meters, hoods, centrifuges).
- Volumetry and weighing. Preparations of solutions, dilutions, buffer systems.
- Production of recombinant proteins: cloning, mutagenesis, expression systems in bacteria, yeasts, mammalian cells, insect cells. Fusion proteins.
- Methods for protein purification: separation techniques. Extraction of proteins from the biological source. Methods of fractionation of protein mixtures. Homogenization of cells with potter, ultraturrax, sonication, continuous pressure homogenizers (1st Laboratory experience).
- Protein purification with chromatographic techniques: gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, immunoaffinity chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, reverse phase chromatography. HPLC applications (with laboratory experience) (2nd laboratory experience).
- Quantification of proteins. (3rd Laboratory experience)
- Electrophoresis. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in native or denaturing conditions (SDS-PAGE) detection techniques, quantitative densitometric analysis of bands, determination of molecular weight, gradient electrophoresis, preparative electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, two-dimensional electrophoresis. (4th Laboratory experience)
- Immunochemical techniques: antibodies, western blotting, ELISA and RIA, immunoprecipitation. (5th Laboratory experience)
- Spectroscopic methods for the study of proteins. UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy. Fluorescence spectroscopy. Polarized light spectroscopy. Advanced spectroscopies. (6th Laboratory experience)
- Study of enzymes and proteins. Enzymatic kinetics: calculation of Km, Ki, Ka. Study of the type of inhibition: competitive, non-competitive, uncompetitive and mixed. Use of substrate analogues, effect of pH and temperature (7 ° Laboratory experience).
- Dosage of metabolites. Acid or basic deproteinization. Metabolite assay by spectrophotometric, spectrofluorimetric methods, ATP assay, glucose. Use of HPLC in the dosage of metabolites.
- Biochemical methods for the analysis of molecular interactions. Ligand protein analysis. Protein interaction analysis.

- Keith Wilson and John Walker: Biochimica e biologia molecolare: principi e tecniche. EDs. 2019 Raffaello Cortina.
- M.Maccarrone. Metodologie Biochimiche e Biomolecolari, Ed. Zanichelli Ed.
- Bonaccorsi, Contestabile, Di Salvo. Metodologie biochimiche, Ed. Zanichelli
- Michael C. Whitlock, Dolph Schluter, ANALISI STATISTICA DEI DATI BIOLOGICI, Zanichelli Editore, Ed. 2022.

Slides of each lesson will be made available.

- Bibliographic and biological databases
- Sequence alignment and sequence homology search programs
- Molecular modelling
- Molecular docking

Tramontano, Bioinformatica, Zanichelli

Biochemical Methods Module (Dott.ssa Giovanna De Simone)

- Biochemical methodologies in scientific research. Basic equipment in the biochemistry laboratory (glassware, scales, stirrers, thermostated systems, pH meters, hoods, centrifuges).
- Volumetry and weighing. Preparations of solutions, dilutions, buffer systems.
- Production of recombinant proteins: cloning, mutagenesis, expression systems in bacteria, yeasts, mammalian cells, insect cells. Fusion proteins.
- Methods for protein purification: separation techniques. Extraction of proteins from the biological source. Methods of fractionation of protein mixtures. Homogenization of cells with potter, ultraturrax, sonication, continuous pressure homogenizers (1st Laboratory experience).
- Protein purification with chromatographic techniques: gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, immunoaffinity chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, reverse phase chromatography. HPLC applications (with laboratory experience) (2nd laboratory experience).
- Quantification of proteins. (3rd Laboratory experience)
- Electrophoresis. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in native or denaturing conditions (SDS-PAGE) detection techniques, quantitative densitometric analysis of bands, determination of molecular weight, gradient electrophoresis, preparative electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, two-dimensional electrophoresis. (4th Laboratory experience)
- Immunochemical techniques: antibodies, western blotting, ELISA and RIA, immunoprecipitation. (5th Laboratory experience)
- Spectroscopic methods for the study of proteins. UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy. Fluorescence spectroscopy. Polarized light spectroscopy. Advanced spectroscopies. (6th Laboratory experience)
- Study of enzymes and proteins. Enzymatic kinetics: calculation of Km, Ki, Ka. Study of the type of inhibition: competitive, non-competitive, uncompetitive and mixed. Use of substrate analogues, effect of pH and temperature (7 ° Laboratory experience).
- Dosage of metabolites. Acid or basic deproteinization. Metabolite assay by spectrophotometric, spectrofluorimetric methods, ATP assay, glucose. Use of HPLC in the dosage of metabolites.
- Biochemical methods for the analysis of molecular interactions. Ligand protein analysis. Protein interaction analysis.

- Keith Wilson and John Walker: Biochimica e biologia molecolare: principi e tecniche. EDs. 2019 Raffaello Cortina.
- M.Maccarrone. Metodologie Biochimiche e Biomolecolari, Ed. Zanichelli Ed.
- Bonaccorsi, Contestabile, Di Salvo. Metodologie biochimiche, Ed. Zanichelli

THE COURSE (6 CFU) IS DIVIDED INTO TWO MAIN PARTS. THE FIRST ONE (5.5 CFU) IS AIMED AT DESCRIBING THE HISTORICAL AND NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK. THE SECOND ONE IS PLANNED TO FOCUS THE STUDY ON A VARIETY OF BOTH IN VITRO AND IN VIVO EXPERIMENTAL MODELS, WHOSE EMPLOYMENT IS USEFUL IN EITHER BIOLOGY APPLIED TO HUMAN HEALTH OR CELLULAR/MOLECULAR BIOLOGY. STARTING POINTS FOR DISCUSSIONS WILL BE PROVIDED, IN ORDER TO ENGAGE THE LEARNERS FOR THE WRITING OF A REPORT THAT WILL BE GOAL OF EXAMINATION. LABORATORY PRACTICES (0.5 CFU) WILL BE FIXED TOGETHER WITH THE STUDENTS WITH THE AIM OF ACQUIRING NEW TECHNIQUES ON SOME EXPERIMENTAL MODELS WIDELY USED IN BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH

TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL FOR HOMEWORKS WILL BE SUGGESTED TO LEARNERS DURING THE COURSE.

1. BASIC TECHNOLOGIES OF GENE ANALYSIS; RESTRICTION ENZYMES; ELECTROPHORETIC ANALYSIS. 2. VECTORS; CLONING. 3. PCR; REAL TIME PCR; PCR APPLICATIONS. 4. GENETIC VARIABILITY APPLIED TO FORENSIC SCIENCE 5. GENE IDENTIFICATION; GENOMIC LIBRERIES AND cDNA LIBRERIES; YEAST TWO HYBRID SYSTEM 6. MUTAGENESIS. 7. RECOMBINANT PROTEIN PRODUCTION AND PURIFICATION. 8. FROM SANGER SEQUENCING TO NEXT-GENERATION SEQUENCING. 9. POST-GENOMICS ANALYSIS; TRANSCRIPTOMIC ANALYSIS; REPORTER GENES. 10. PROTEOMIC ANALYSIS. 11. PRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS OF TRANSGENIC PLANTS. 12. GENETIC MODIFICATION OF ANIMAL CELLS; TRANSGENIC ANIMALS CONSTRUCTION. 13. GENE TRAPPING; GENE TARGETING. 14. ANIMAL CLONING; GENE THERAPY. 15. THE CRISPR-CAS SYSTEM: EMERGING TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATION AND APPLICATIONS.

Recommended textbooks:
1. METODOLOGIE BIOCHIMICHE STRUMENTI E TECNICHE PER IL LABORATORIO DEL NUOVO MILLENNIO, MACCARRONE M., E BIOMOLECOLARI, CASA EDITRICE ZANICHELLI
2. DAI GENI AI GENOMI, JEREMY W. DALE, MALCOLM VON SCHANTZ, NICK PLANT, A CURA DI: E. GINELLI, CASA EDITRICE EDISES
3. ANALISI DEI GENI E GENOMI, REECE, EDISES.
4. TECNICHE E METODI PER LA BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE, AMALDI F., BENEDETTI P., PESOLE G., PLEVANI P., CASA EDITRICE AMBROSIANA.

Lecture notes and calculation exercises will be provided.
Non-attending students are invited to request information on the program, teaching materials and how to evaluate the profit.
The professor receives every day from 10.00 to 11.00 by appointment via e-mail: manuela.cervelli@uniroma3.it

Basic Immunology
Introduction to the immune response
General features of innate immunity
General features of adaptive immunity
Component of the Immune System
Innate Immunity
The B cell receptor: protein and genes
B cell development, activation and effector functions
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
Antigen processing and presentation
The T cell receptor: protein and genes
T cell development, activation and effector functions
Regulation of immune response in the periphery (Tolerance)

Clinic Immunology
Immune Hypersensitivity
Autoimmune Diseases
Immunodeficiency
Tumor Immunology

Abul K. Abbas and Andrew H. Lichtman and Shiv Pillai – Immunologia cellulare e molecolare – Decima edizione 2022, Edito da Edra - Masson ISBN: 978 88 214 5573-5

Tak W. Mak, Mary E. Saunders, Bradley D. Jett. Primer to the Immune Response. 2nd Edition (2014) – Paperback ISBN: 9780123852458; eBook ISBN: 9780123854612

This course will provide students with an in-depth knowledge of plant transformation techniques and plant biotechnology applications for crop improvement and the production of new molecules. This course will also give information on emerging technologies, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and will describe their importance in plant biotechnology research.
Another important aim of the course is to prepare students to conduct laboratory work and research in the sectors of plant biotechnology and food industry, as well as to critically analyze scientific information

Three are the main arguments of the course:
-Gene transfer techniques;
-Applications of Plant Biotechnology;
-Analysis of Risks and Benefits of plant genetic manipulation.

In detail, during the course the following arguments are discussed:
Techniques for gene transfer into the nuclear and palstidic genome; Techniques for in vitro culture of plant cells; Use of selectable gene markers and reporte genes; Strategies to remove selectable markers from transgenic plants; Inducible expressione of transgenes in plants; Transient expression of genes in plants; Gene silencing in plants and applications; 'Gene targeting' in plants; 'Genome editing' in plants; Plants with improved nutritional value; Production of various molecules, such as antibodies and vaccines, in transgenic plants; Biotechnological strategies to obtain plants resistant to herbicides, pathogens and environmental stresses; Plants with increased Photosynthetic rate; Biosafety and Bioethical issues related to plant Biotechnology; emerging technologies and Plant Biotechnology

-Recommended textbooks:

1. BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS (2000) BUCHANAN B.B, GRUISSEM W., JONES R.L., AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGISTS, ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND.
2. HANDBOOK OF PLANT BIOYECHNOLOGY (2004) CHRISTOU P., KLEE H., HOBOKEN, (N.J.), WILEY.
3. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY AND TRANSGENIC PLANTS (2002) OKSMAN-CALDENTEY K.-M., BARZ W.H., NEW YORK, DEKER.

-Scientific articles published in international journals (pdf files will be provided).
-Lecture notes will be provided.

INTRODUCTION TO ENDOCRINOLOGY (1 CFU): HISTORY, CHEMICAL NATURE OF HORMONES, EVOLUTION OF CHEMICAL SIGNALS. ENDOCRINE GLANDS, HORMONE SYNTHESIS AND RELEASE (ENDOCRINE, AUTOCRINE, PARACRINE, AND INTRACRINE ACTIONS, HORMONAL RHYTMS). HORMONES FROM ENDOCRINE GLANDS (HYPOTALAMUS AND PITUITARY, PANCREAS, THYROID and PARATHYROID HORMONES, ADRENALS, GONADS). HORMONES PRODUCED BY SPECIALIZED CELLS (BONES, MUSCLE). MECHANISMS OF HORMONE ACTIONS (SIGNALLING FROM MEMBRANE AND INTRACELLULAR RECEPTORS).

THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY (3 CFU): REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY (FETAL GROWTH, PREGNANCY, MATERNAL ADAPTATION TO PREGNANCY). GROWTH (GROWTH FACTORS AND ONCOGENES IN FETAL GROWTH, POSTNATAL GROWTH, PUBERTY, HORMONES AND THE GENDER/SEX DIFFERENCES). AGEING (THEORIES, HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPIES, GERIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY). METABOLIC ENDOCRINOLOGY (REGULATION OF FOOD UPTAKE, REGULATION OF DIGESTIVE PROCESSES, OBESITY)
HORMONES AND ENVIRONMENTAL INJURIES (1 CFU): STRESS ADAPTATION. ENVIRONMENTAL ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS. DISORDERS OF THE ENDOCRINOLOGY SYSTEM (CELL GROWTH AND CANCER).

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE (1 CFU)

The arguments of the introduction are available in every book of General Physiology. Moreover, review will be provided in the classroom.

The first part of the course will give an integrated view of gastro-intestinal anatomy, physiology and regulation as well as how the gut extracts and utilizes the nutrients in the diet. In addition to these classical aspects more contemporary topics are included such as the importance of the gut microflora and its interaction with the gut immune system, appetite regulation and the problems with overeating and obesity.
The course will focus on the homeostatic maintenance of energetic balance, on the composition of human body, and on the evaluation of nutritional needs in physiological States (e.g., development, pregnancy, ageing). A particular attention will be addressed to the relationship between nutrition and maintenance of human health. Finally, you learn about the pathophysiological aspects of gut function (malnutrition, overnutrition, food intolerance) and the dietetic approaches to balance the deficiencies in homeostasis.
An application of these concepts will be supplied by study the nutritional needs during physical exercise.

Lucantonio Debellis, Alessandro Poli "Alimentazione Nutrizione e Salute" Edises Università

Lessons
• Generalities about microbial metabolism and physiology
• Industrial and traditional fermentations, starter coltures;
• Conservation and safety of fermented foods;
• Microbial technologies for drugs development and production (antibiotics);
• Microbial technologies for food industry (fermented dairy products and alcoholic beverages; vinegar);
• Microbial production of enzymes and recombinant proteins for drug and food industry (caomparative examples);
• Genetic improvement of industrial microrganism.

Laboratory practices and other activities
-cloning, overexpression and purification of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli;
-development and microbiological analysis of sourdough;
-guided tours to a beer farm

Specific learning material will be provided by the teacher (lectures slides, scientific articles). Below some suggested books.

ATOMIC STRUCTURE: ATOMIC MODELS, ATOMIC ORBITALS. CHEMICAL BOND: MOLECULAR ORBITALS. LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS: ENERGY, WORK AND HEAT. STATE FUNCTIONS (RECALL): INTERNAL ENERGY, ENTHALPY, ENTROPY, FREE ENERGY. INTRODUCTION TO THE RADIATION-MATTER INTERACTION (CLASSICAL MODEL). SPECTROSCOPIES: VIBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY (FT-IR), ELECTRONIC SPECTROSCOPIES. UV-VIS ABSORPTION AND EMISSION. X-RAYS PHOTOEMISSION SPECTROSCOPY (XPS). INSTRUMENTATION. EXAMPLES OF APPLICATIONS OF FT-IR, UV-VIS and XPS SPECTROSCOPIES TO THE INVESTIGATION OF THE ELECTRONIC AND CHEMICAL STRUCTURE OF BIOMOLECULES.

PETER ATKINS, JULIO DE PAULA: Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences. ISBN: 9780199564286; slides can be downloaded from the Moodle page.

Theory (3 CFU = 24h)

Nanomaterials: definition and peculiarities. Types of nanomaterials (organic, inorganic, organic-inorganic hybrids). Importance of the surface in nanomaterials. Phenomena influenced by the surface. Thermodynamic aspects of nanometric phases. Hierarchical nanostructures. 1D and 2D nanomaterials. Introduction to band theory. Semiconductor nanomaterials and Quantum Dots. Electronic and spectroscopic properties. Luminescent Carbon Dots. Nanoparticles of noble metals and their plasmonic properties. Organic-inorganic nanocomposites. Multifunctional nanostructures that can be activated by external stimuli for diagnostics, drug-delivery and for curative treatments in nanomedicine. Synthesis of nanoparticles in solution with "green chemistry" methods. Strategies to obtain different porosities, dimensions and morphologies (nanospheres, nanocubes, nanorods, core@shell) of nanoparticles. Surface functionalization of inorganic nanoparticles. Chemical-physical analysis of nanostructures. Spectroscopic investigations : fluorescence, UV-vis-visible, NIR and infrared). Dynamic light scattering.

Laboratory (32-36 h)

1) Bottom up approach: synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (Au, Ag) in aqueous solution.
2) Top down approach: preparation of polymer nanoparticles
3) Functionalization
4) Spectroscopic characterization of the nanoparticles prepared in the optical field: UV-vis and and FTIR.
5) Investigation of colloidal properties.

S. M. Lindsay; Introduction to Nanoscience; Oxford
D. Vollath; Nanoparticles-nanocomposites-nanomaterials. An Introduction fo Beginners
Material will also be provided by the teacher

Introduction; Antigene definition; the cells of the immune system
The fisico-chemical barriers and the lymphatic system
The complement system and its role in the antimicrobial response
Innate immunity and recognition of PAMPs (Pathogen Associated Moecular Patterns)
The cytokines
The structure of the antibodies, T cell receptor (TCR) and B cell receptor (BCR), and the major histocompatibility complex
Signal transduction of the TCR and BCR
T cell activation
Humoral response to microbes
Evasion of the immune response by microrganisms
Coordination of innate and adaptive immune response to microbes
Mucosal immunity and the role of microbiota
Vaccines and infection
Immunodeficiency and HIV infection
Autophagy and immune response
Diagnosis of viral and bacterial infection based on the immune response
Flowcytometry and the analysis of the immune system

Janaway's Immunobiology (Piccin); Immunologia cellulare e molecolare (Feltrinelli)
the professor makes the slides available to the students.

- General overview of the plastic and energetic function of nutrients
- Uptake and usage of
- Vitamins
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Amino acids and proteins
- Metabolism of the main alcoholic and psychoactive drinks of nutritional value
- Signal transduction and regulation of metabolic pathways
- Metabolic regulation of the nutrition-fasting cycle
- Reactive oxygen species
- Endogenous and exogenous antioxidants
- Xenobiotics

- Leuzzi, Bellocco, Barreca “Biochimica della Nutrizione” Ed. Zanichelli
- Arienti "Le basi molecolari della nutrizione"
- Cozzani, Dainese "Biochimica degli alimenti e della nutrizione" Ed. Piccin.

- General Biochemistry textbooks adopted for the Biochemistry Course of the bachelor degree in Biological Sciences.

- GENOME (ORGANIZATION, STRUCTURAL GENOMICS, COMPARATIVE GENOMICS AND FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS). EPIGENOME (METHYLATION, HISTONE CODE, CHROMATIN 3D ARCHITECTURE, NON-CODING RNA). EXAMPLES OF EPIGENETIC REGULATION: CELL DIFFERENTIATION AND GENETIC MECHANISMS OF SEX DETERMINATION (HOW DOES SEX IS GENETICALLY DETERMINED, INACTIVATION OF X CHROMOSOME, SEX-DEPENDENT PHENOTYPIC EFFECTS).

- CELL CYCLE REGULATION, SENESCENCE AND APOPTOSIS. GENETIC OF AGING (GENETIC THEORIES OF AGING, GERONTOGENES AND GENES INVOLVED IN LONGEVITY, AGING IN ANIMAL MODELS, MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR AGING). CANCER GENETICS (ONCOGENES, ONCO-SUPPRESSOR GENES, CHROMOSOMAL REARRANGEMENTS INVOLVED IN CANCER, THE CANCER STEM CELLS THEORY).

- HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS, Tom Strachan, Andrew Read, Zanichelli
- Scientific articles and teaching material provided by the teacher

Climate change and food security. Plant varieties and phenotypic plasticity. Effect of environmental conditions on primary and secondary metabolism: food quality and production of aromas, flavours and toxins. Origin of agriculture and plant domestication and genetic improvement of the main family including crop species: Poaceae, Fabaceae, Rosaceae, Solanaceae, Brassicaceae. Plant genetic improvement and “the green revolution”. Plant biotechnology for the development of crop plants resistant to environmental stress and/or herbicides and with high nutritional value. Primary metabolism: nutritional values of the different plant organs and nutrients bioavailability. Nutrients from plants: carbohydrates (sucrose and starch from different sources), soluble and insoluble dietary fibers, lipids and oils (olive oil and seed oil), proteins, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. Effects of storage conditions and pre- and post-harvest diseases on nutritional quality of plant foods. Allergy and intolerances caused by plant substances present in crop species. Gluten. Primary and secondary metabolism. Secondary metabolism: terpenes, phenols, alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, glucosinolates, non-protein amino acids. Nutritional properties of secondary metabolites: metabolites with toxic effects and metabolites with positive effects on human health. Aromatic plants, spice plants and nervine plants (tea, coffee, cocoa). Natural dyes in food. Bioactive metabolites as food supplements.

The professor receives every day by appointment via e-mail: alessandra.cona@uniroma3.it

1) Piante alimentari. Biologia, composizione chimica, utilizzazione. Rinallo C.; Piccin.
2) Biologia delle Piante. Vol 2: Interazioni con l’ambiente e Domesticazione. Smith A. M. et al.; Zanichelli.
3) La chimica e gli alimenti. Nutrienti e aspetti nutraceutici. Luisa Mannina, Maria Daglia, Alberto Ritieni; CEA.
4) Alimentazione, Nutrizione e Salute. Lucantonio Debellis, Alessandro Poli; Edises.
5) Articoli scientifici e lezioni in power point fornite dal docente


The professor receives every day by appointment via e-mail: alessandra.cona@uniroma3.it

Introduction to the molecular mechanisms of cellular functions regulation: membrane and nuclear receptors, mechanisms of intracellular signal transduction and amplification through protein’s post-translational modifications (e.g. phosphorylation).
Definition of cellular stress and physiological tolerance range. Description of intracellular mechanisms, at DNA, RNA and protein levels, through which cells sense and respond to a broad variety of stressing conditions, focusing the attention mainly on physiological response and cell adaptation to extracellular stressing stimuli, including heat, osmotic, hypoxic, oxidative and nutrient stresses.
Evaluation of intracellular organelles- specific stress response, including mitochondria- and ER-stress response.
Description of down-stream molecular mechanisms activated by cells in response to stress and devote to re-establish the intracellular homeostasis and to adapt themselves to the changed conditions. Brief description of the abnormal stress response and adaptation in pathological cell degeneration (e.g. cancer).
Definition and update of the state-of-art about the laboratory research approaches applied to the study of the physiological stress response and adaptation and the molecular mechanisms behind these functions.

The class will be provided with the study materials found by students and by the professor.

Overview of the development of multicellular organisms. Ectodermal derivation of neural tissue in invertebrates and vertebrates. Primary neurulation: cellular and molecular mechanisms of neural plate formation, neural folds, neural groove and neural tube. Secondary neurulation. Neural tube closure defects in mammals: genetic and environmental causes. Morphogenesis and differentiation of the brain and spinal cord. Role of cell death in central nervous system morphogenesis: apoptotic mechanisms. Layering of cerebral and cerebellar cortical structures. Congenital diseases related to neuronal migration defects: the case of peroxisomal disorders. Neural stem cells: neuronal and glial differentiation. Neurogenesis in the adult brain: the subventricular and subgranular areas of the mammalian dentate gyrus. Pathways regulating activity of the neurogenic niche. Neurogenesis and neurodegeneration in the senescent brain. Neurodegenerative diseases related to aging: common features and anatomical and genetic-molecular specificities. Protein aggregates, role of apoptosis and autophagy and therapies against neurodegeneration, based on stem cell transplants and endogenous regeneration.

Gilbert: "Developmental Biology", 9th Edition, Sinauer Associates

General principles
Areas of study and specialization in toxicology; Classification of toxic agents; Definition of unwanted effects induced by a xenobiotic; Significance of local and systemic toxicity; Interaction between multiple xenobiotics and toxic responses; Selectivity of the toxic effect; Exposure characteristics (dose, duration, frequency); dose-effect relationship; therapeutic index; safety margin; NOAEL, LOAEL, DL50; Toxicological studies; Mechanisms of interference of xenobiotics with physiological processes; Concepts and mechanisms underlying the processes of absorption, biotransformation, distribution and excretion of a xenobiotic; Risk and Toxicity: meaning and consequences; Evaluation and extrapolation of experimental toxicological data to humans.
Organ and system toxicology
Liver, renal, cardiovascular, skin and CNS toxicity.
Developmental toxicology
Principles of developmental toxicology. Critical periods of susceptibility and risk assessment. Pathogenetic mechanisms of developmental toxicity. Toxicokinetics in pregnancy. Toxicity to the mother and effects on embryo-foetal development (ethanol, methylmercury, lead, etc.).
Food toxicology
Bacterial toxins; mycotoxins; pesticides; additives; animal and plant toxins. Quality control issues (contamination, adulteration, adulteration)
Substances of abuse
Toxicity, abuse, dependence, withdrawal from: stimulants, depressants, psychedelic-hallucinogens. Smart drugs
Toxic effects of pesticides, metals, solvents
Clinical toxicology
General antidotism. Poisonings from: acids, alkalis, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, paracetamol, amphetamines, anticholinergics, cyanide, digitalis, ethanol, hydrocarbons, insecticides (chlorinated, organophosphorus and carbamate, botanical), herbicides, polychlorinated biphenyls, iron, mercury, opiates, phenothiazines, salicylates, hypnotics and sedatives, tricyclic antidepressants. Toxicity of over-the-counter products.

Casarett & Doull’s Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons, 9th edition
Power-point files of the lessons will be provided

To get an appointment with the Professor, email to: viviana.trezza@uniroma3.it

- General overview of the plastic and energetic function of nutrients
- Uptake and usage of
- Vitamins
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Amino acids and proteins
- Metabolism of the main alcoholic and psychoactive drinks of nutritional value
- Signal transduction and regulation of metabolic pathways
- Metabolic regulation of the nutrition-fasting cycle
- Reactive oxygen species
- Endogenous and exogenous antioxidants
- Xenobiotics

- Leuzzi, Bellocco, Barreca “Biochimica della Nutrizione” Ed. Zanichelli
- Arienti "Le basi molecolari della nutrizione"
- Cozzani, Dainese "Biochimica degli alimenti e della nutrizione" Ed. Piccin.

- General Biochemistry textbooks adopted for the Biochemistry Course of the bachelor degree in Biological Sciences.

Module A - Prof.ssa Alessandra di Masi
- Fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins
- Macroelements
- Microelements
- Carbohydrates. Classification of carbohydrates. Carbohydrate biosynthesis. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Fate and biological functions of carbohydrates. Regulation of carbohydrate metabolism.
- Lipids. Classification of lipids. Lipid digestion and absorption. Fate and biological functions of lipids. Regulation of carbohydrate metabolism.
- Proteins. Daily protein requirement. Nutritional properties of proteins. Protein digestion and amino acid fate. Biosynthesis of non-protein nitrogen compounds.

- Leuzzi, Bellocco, Barreca “Biochimica della Nutrizione” Ed. Zanichelli
- Cozzani, Dainese "Biochimica degli alimenti e della nutrizione" Ed. Piccin.
- Biochemistry texts used for the preparation of the Biochemistry exam of the three-year degree course in Biological Sciences.

RECEPTION TIME: Monday 10 am

- GENOME (ORGANIZATION, STRUCTURAL GENOMICS, COMPARATIVE GENOMICS AND FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS). EPIGENOME (METHYLATION, HISTONE CODE, CHROMATIN 3D ARCHITECTURE, NON-CODING RNA). EXAMPLES OF EPIGENETIC REGULATION: CELL DIFFERENTIATION AND GENETIC MECHANISMS OF SEX DETERMINATION (HOW DOES SEX IS GENETICALLY DETERMINED, INACTIVATION OF X CHROMOSOME, SEX-DEPENDENT PHENOTYPIC EFFECTS).

- CELL CYCLE REGULATION, SENESCENCE AND APOPTOSIS. GENETIC OF AGING (GENETIC THEORIES OF AGING, GERONTOGENES AND GENES INVOLVED IN LONGEVITY, AGING IN ANIMAL MODELS, MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR AGING). CANCER GENETICS (ONCOGENES, ONCO-SUPPRESSOR GENES, CHROMOSOMAL REARRANGEMENTS INVOLVED IN CANCER, THE CANCER STEM CELLS THEORY).

- HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS, Tom Strachan, Andrew Read, Zanichelli
- Scientific articles and teaching material provided by the teacher

Introduction to the molecular mechanisms of cellular functions regulation: membrane and nuclear receptors, mechanisms of intracellular signal transduction and amplification through protein’s post-translational modifications (e.g. phosphorylation).
Definition of cellular stress and physiological tolerance range. Description of intracellular mechanisms, at DNA, RNA and protein levels, through which cells sense and respond to a broad variety of stressing conditions, focusing the attention mainly on physiological response and cell adaptation to extracellular stressing stimuli, including heat, osmotic, hypoxic, oxidative and nutrient stresses.
Evaluation of intracellular organelles- specific stress response, including mitochondria- and ER-stress response.
Description of down-stream molecular mechanisms activated by cells in response to stress and devote to re-establish the intracellular homeostasis and to adapt themselves to the changed conditions. Brief description of the abnormal stress response and adaptation in pathological cell degeneration (e.g. cancer).
Definition and update of the state-of-art about the laboratory research approaches applied to the study of the physiological stress response and adaptation and the molecular mechanisms behind these functions.

The class will be provided with the study materials found by students and by the professor.

General principles
Areas of study and specialization in toxicology; Classification of toxic agents; Definition of unwanted effects induced by a xenobiotic; Significance of local and systemic toxicity; Interaction between multiple xenobiotics and toxic responses; Selectivity of the toxic effect; Exposure characteristics (dose, duration, frequency); dose-effect relationship; therapeutic index; safety margin; NOAEL, LOAEL, DL50; Toxicological studies; Mechanisms of interference of xenobiotics with physiological processes; Concepts and mechanisms underlying the processes of absorption, biotransformation, distribution and excretion of a xenobiotic; Risk and Toxicity: meaning and consequences; Evaluation and extrapolation of experimental toxicological data to humans.
Organ and system toxicology
Liver, renal, cardiovascular, skin and CNS toxicity.
Developmental toxicology
Principles of developmental toxicology. Critical periods of susceptibility and risk assessment. Pathogenetic mechanisms of developmental toxicity. Toxicokinetics in pregnancy. Toxicity to the mother and effects on embryo-foetal development (ethanol, methylmercury, lead, etc.).
Food toxicology
Bacterial toxins; mycotoxins; pesticides; additives; animal and plant toxins. Quality control issues (contamination, adulteration, adulteration)
Substances of abuse
Toxicity, abuse, dependence, withdrawal from: stimulants, depressants, psychedelic-hallucinogens. Smart drugs
Toxic effects of pesticides, metals, solvents
Clinical toxicology
General antidotism. Poisonings from: acids, alkalis, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, paracetamol, amphetamines, anticholinergics, cyanide, digitalis, ethanol, hydrocarbons, insecticides (chlorinated, organophosphorus and carbamate, botanical), herbicides, polychlorinated biphenyls, iron, mercury, opiates, phenothiazines, salicylates, hypnotics and sedatives, tricyclic antidepressants. Toxicity of over-the-counter products.

Casarett & Doull’s Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons, 9th edition
Power-point files of the lessons will be provided

To get an appointment with the Professor, email to: viviana.trezza@uniroma3.it

Climate change and food security. Plant varieties and phenotypic plasticity. Effect of environmental conditions on primary and secondary metabolism: food quality and production of aromas, flavours and toxins. Origin of agriculture and plant domestication and genetic improvement of the main family including crop species: Poaceae, Fabaceae, Rosaceae, Solanaceae, Brassicaceae. Plant genetic improvement and “the green revolution”. Plant biotechnology for the development of crop plants resistant to environmental stress and/or herbicides and with high nutritional value. Primary metabolism: nutritional values of the different plant organs and nutrients bioavailability. Nutrients from plants: carbohydrates (sucrose and starch from different sources), soluble and insoluble dietary fibers, lipids and oils (olive oil and seed oil), proteins, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. Effects of storage conditions and pre- and post-harvest diseases on nutritional quality of plant foods. Allergy and intolerances caused by plant substances present in crop species. Gluten. Primary and secondary metabolism. Secondary metabolism: terpenes, phenols, alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, glucosinolates, non-protein amino acids. Nutritional properties of secondary metabolites: metabolites with toxic effects and metabolites with positive effects on human health. Aromatic plants, spice plants and nervine plants (tea, coffee, cocoa). Natural dyes in food. Bioactive metabolites as food supplements.

The professor receives every day by appointment via e-mail: alessandra.cona@uniroma3.it

1) Piante alimentari. Biologia, composizione chimica, utilizzazione. Rinallo C.; Piccin.
2) Biologia delle Piante. Vol 2: Interazioni con l’ambiente e Domesticazione. Smith A. M. et al.; Zanichelli.
3) La chimica e gli alimenti. Nutrienti e aspetti nutraceutici. Luisa Mannina, Maria Daglia, Alberto Ritieni; CEA.
4) Alimentazione, Nutrizione e Salute. Lucantonio Debellis, Alessandro Poli; Edises.
5) Articoli scientifici e lezioni in power point fornite dal docente


The professor receives every day by appointment via e-mail: alessandra.cona@uniroma3.it

The course aims at providing to the student:
- adequate knowledge and understanding on advanced methodologies in microbial biotechnology, appropriate methodologies and communication skills for the isolation, observation, description and engineering of industrial microorganisms;
- adequate applied knowledge for drafting and executing experimental protocols, and for retrieving and critically reviewing relevant scientific literature from on-line databases (making judgements).

Programme
During the laboratory practices and the corresponding theoretic lessons, the following topics will be covered:
- isolation of microorganisms of industrial relevance from the environment, preparation of growth media and cultivation techniques;
- transposon–based mutagenesis (generation and screening of mutant libraries);
- genetic transfer processes (conjugation and transformation);
- use of whole-cell bacterial biosensors for gauging specific molecules produced by other microorganisms.
The following topics will be covered in additional theoretic lessons:
- development of innovative therapeutic strategies based on biotechnological processes;
- development of biosensors and reporter systems for the identification of new drugs;
- application of synthetic biology to microbial biotechnology;
- properties of the regulatory networks and their application to biotechnological processes.

Selected topics will be available on suggested Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology books, as indicated in the following reference list. Specific research papers and experimental protocols will be provided during theoretic lessons on advanced research topics and laboratory practices.
Innovative teaching will be promoted by cloud-sharing of power-point presentations illustrating the main topics of the course. Moreover, students will be encouraged to make use of web-based resources and databases to autonomously increase their knowledge on specific advanced topics.
Students will be received at the best of their convenience if an appointment has been fixed at the end of the lessons or by email.

Overview of the development of multicellular organisms. Ectodermal derivation of neural tissue in invertebrates and vertebrates. Primary neurulation: cellular and molecular mechanisms of neural plate formation, neural folds, neural groove and neural tube. Secondary neurulation. Neural tube closure defects in mammals: genetic and environmental causes. Morphogenesis and differentiation of the brain and spinal cord. Role of cell death in central nervous system morphogenesis: apoptotic mechanisms. Layering of cerebral and cerebellar cortical structures. Congenital diseases related to neuronal migration defects: the case of peroxisomal disorders. Neural stem cells: neuronal and glial differentiation. Neurogenesis in the adult brain: the subventricular and subgranular areas of the mammalian dentate gyrus. Pathways regulating activity of the neurogenic niche. Neurogenesis and neurodegeneration in the senescent brain. Neurodegenerative diseases related to aging: common features and anatomical and genetic-molecular specificities. Protein aggregates, role of apoptosis and autophagy and therapies against neurodegeneration, based on stem cell transplants and endogenous regeneration.

Gilbert: "Developmental Biology", 9th Edition, Sinauer Associates

1) Genes and networks involved in neural induction with particular attention to the regulatory role of microRNAs.
2) Molecular pathways of polarity and segmentation. Molecular organizers of neurodevelopment. Determination and differentiation of neuronal cells. The anterior-posterior axis and Hox genes: characterization and role in anterior-posterior specification of the organism.
3) Axon growth and direction.
4) Long non-coding RNA and circRNA in brain development.
5) Role of regulatory RNAs in synaptic translational control.
6) Molecular mechanisms of adult neurogenesis.
7) Role of Polyamines in the modulation of glutamate receptors. Interaction between glutamatergic system, serotonergic system and polyamine metabolism.
8) Animal models used in neuronal diseases.
9) NGS techniques for the study of neurodevelopment

Lecture slides will be provided.

Concepts of risk, harm, prevention, protection.
Organization of corporate prevention, rights, duties and sanctions for various corporate actors. Supervisory, control and assistance bodies.
Biohazard and MOGM/OGM. Relevant regulations, classification of biological agents, classification of MOGM/OGM, risk assessment, biosafety, management measures for protection and prevention.
Chemical risk. Reference legislation, classification and labeling of hazardous substances (chemical agents, carcinogens and mutagens), risk assessment, protection and prevention management measures.
Waste management and personal protective equipment (PPE).
First aid and emergency measures.
Load handling and biomechanical risk.
Physical risk. Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, risk aspects, regulations, worker protection.
Risks related to the use of electricity, fire and explosion risk. Safety signs, protective systems, electrical equipment. Emergency management.
Stabulars and risk from allergy agents.
Video terminals and psychosocial risks.

Lesson slides will be uploaded to e-learning

through a series of seminars and discussions on different aspects of biology profession, also with the participation of expert professional biologists, students would have a panoramic view of possible biology working activities in modern society. This is the list of scheduled seminars (the list could change depending on availability of invited Biologists)
Lezione Introduttiva
Soft Skills
Come preparare un test a risposta multipla
Sicurezza nelle aziende
Sicurezza e qualità alimentare
Il sistema HACCP
Il Biologo nella industria farmaceutica: CRA, Regulatory, Farmaco vigilanza, la Direzione Medica
Biologia Forense
Il Biologo nel Monitoraggio ambientale
informatore scientifico del farmaco
importanza della vaccinazione nell’età pediatrica
Citogenetica e Citogenomica
Biologo nel SSN
Il Biologo nel laboratorio di analisi
Il Biologo incontra il territorio
Principi base sulla brevettazione
Nutrigenomica
Il Biologo nella sicurezza nei luoghi di lavoro
Aspetti normativi della professione del Biologo
Il giornalismo scientifico
Il ruolo del biologo nell'azienda ospedaliera
Il Biologo nutrizionista
Il biologo nelle aziende alimentari
Il Biologo nelle aziende

Lecture notes and calculation exercises will be provided

The professor receives every day from 8.00 to 9.00 by appointment via e-mail: giovanni.antonini@uniroma3.it