Overview of the model organisms and their relevance in the study of molecular biology. The importance of the use of unicellular eukaryote (yeast) and invertebrate models (C. elegans) Introduction to Drosophila. and fish models. Using mice to model cancer. Knock out e knock in strategies. Analysis of the applicability of different model systems to biomedical and biotechnological research, in particular in regenerative medicine.
Darnell, Lodish: Biologia molecolare della cellula Ed. Zanichelli
T.A. Brown "Genomi" Ed. Edises
Lewin Benjamin; Il gene VIII; Ed. Zanichelli
J. Watson,Biologia Molecolare del Gene . Ed. Zanichelli
Introduzione alla Genomica”
Gibson e Muse; Zanichelli.
Griffith-Zanichelli- Genetica-Principi di analisi Formale
Hartwell- McGraw-Hill- Dall’analisi formale alla genomica
Learning Objectives
Knolewdge acquired:
The scope of this course is to provide an overview of the various species that have assumed as “model organism” such as Saccaromices cerevisiae, Drosophila melanogaster, Arabidopsis thaliana, Caenorhabditis elegans, Danio rerio and Mus musculus The course will also analyze in depth the applicability of different model
systems to biomedical research. Applications of genetic recombination and modified organisms to biotechnology and biomedicine will be discussed as well as emergent developments in regenerative medicine. In particular will be considered molecular regulators involved in cell signalling, development and cell differentiation discovered in model organism (Drosophila and C. elegans), also important factors responsible for human genetic disease.
Competence acquired
Terminology. Knowledge of the different organisms used nowadays in biomedical research: Basic concepts on yeast, fly, fish and mice genetics. Knowledge of mutant's biology and mutant collections available. Knowledge of the development of new powerful tools and techniques to dissect the molecular processes that regulate development, cell differentiation ect.. Knowledge of in vivo techniques and the ability to express any gene at any time or place in whole organisms. Advantages and disadvantages for the use of specific model organism.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
To acquire basic abilities to outline and design experimental approaches to solve specific questions. To develop skills for critical analyses and synthesis of acquired information.To acquire abilities for communication of scientific information.
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...): 150 (=6x25)
Hours reserved to private study and other indivual formative activities: 94
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 40
Contact hours for: Laboratory (hours):
Contact hours for: Laboratory-field/practice (hours): 12 h
Seminars (hours): 4
Further information
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab:
The attendance of the lessons is strongly recommended.
Teaching tools
The instruments and facilities at the Department of Biochemical Sciences as well as a Laboratory of Cell Biology specific for practical lessons are used.
Type of Assessment
oral exam
Course program
Overview of the model organisms. Model organisms in biomedical and biotechnological research. The importance of the use of a unicellular eukaryote (yeast) in aging and cell cycle control (S. cerevisiae vs S. pombe).From unicellular eukaryotes to multicellular ones. The use of invertebrate models. The elegant worm (C. elegans) in the study of immunity and aging. The use of Drosophila for studying age-related memory impairment and tumor growth (cell polarity and proliferation control).
Introduction to fish models fugu as a good system for genomic studies, and zebrafish for genetic analysis. New avenues using zebrafish as a biomedical research model for cardiovascular biology and molecular basis of aging. Using mice to model cancer. The mouse as a useful tool to investigate the molecular adaptive responses developed during specific experimental conditions. Knock out e knock in strategies.