66770 - Molecular Evolutionary Genetics

Academic Year 2017/2018

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Biodiversity and Evolution (cod. 8419)

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, the student has adequate knowledge of the fundamental molecular mechanisms which are on the basis of genome evolution. In particular, the student is able to understand and discuss issues of gene expression modulation during organism development and in response to specific environmental conditions.

Course contents

Gene definition in the light of current ENCODE findings. Functional DNA elements. .

Horizontal genetics: plasmid, transposons, retrotransposons. Structure, transposition molecular mechanisms, mobility regulation. The role of genetic mobile elements in the genome evolution.

Cell fate. Gene expression regulation during development and in response to environmental conditions in Bacillus, Saccharomyces, Caernorhabditis, Drosophila.

Genotype-environment interaction. Epigenetic mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity.

Evolution of adaptive and acquired immune response. Genomic view of the evolution of genes coding for adaptive and acquired immune receptors.

Readings/Bibliography

Lessons materials will be distributed in PDF files to students attending the course.

Some issues will be examined on the basis of reviews and original papers that will be available for the students.

 

 

Teaching methods

The theoretical lessons will be held by using slides.

Assessment methods

The exam aims at the assessment of the expected learning outcomes. The final grade arises from the average scores of written and oral exam. Written exam (2,5 hours) comprises both open-ended and closed-ended questions. Oral examinations are given onlyif the student passes the written examination.

 

Office hours

See the website of Brunella Del Re