The course aims to provide students with basic knowledge on fundamental processes of molecular biology and their mechanisms of regulation needed to understand the causes of genetic diseases and those related to physical inactivity. Particular attention will be given to the molecular biology of mitochondria, the gene expression changes that occur in metabolic diseases, and the effect of exercise on them. To do so it will be considered the recent literature on the subject.

The course will address the following topics in the order below:

The eukaryotic genome

- Chromatin structure

- DNA replication;

- Telomeres: structure, function and maintenance;

- DNA mutations;

- Mechanisms of DNA repair.

Gene expression and its regulation

- The concept of the gene;

- Overview of transcriptional regulation;

- Elements of regulatory genes that encode for proteins;

- The general machinery of transcription;

- The transcription in eukaryotes;

- Transcription factors;

- Transcriptional coactivators and co-repressors;

- Regulated nuclear import and pathways of signal transduction;

- Processes of messenger RNA maturation and modification and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression;

- Elements of epigenetics;

- MicroRNAs: biogenesis and function.

Translation in eukaryotes

- The versatility of RNA;

- Start, elongation and termination of translation in eukaryotes;

- Translational and post-translational control.

Mitochondrial DNA

- The structure and replication of mitochondrial DNA;

- Mitochondrial transcription and translation;

- The transport of mitochondrial proteins;

- Crosstalk between the mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA

The recombinant DNA technology and tools for gene expression analysis. Outline of various techniques and their potentials

Modifications of gene expression of skeletal muscle in metabolic diseases and in particular in the subject.

Effects of aerobic exercise benefits in the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases

- Role of the "master regulator" PGC-1 alpha in the regulation of oxidative metabolism;

- The AMP-dependent protein kinase as an energy sensor;

- Mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle;

- Mechanisms of activity regulation of GLUT-4;

- Molecular mechanisms of hypertrophy and muscle atrophy;

- Satellite cell role in maintaining muscle homeostasis;

- Modulation of gene expression in skeletal muscle immobility;

- Molecular basis of metabolic diseases and aging;

- Sarcopenia;

- Prevention of Type 2 diabetes through exercise

No bridging courses

Applied knowledge and understanding. The student must show that he/she has understood the concepts of the subject, allowing for a logical and complete discussion of theoretical issues and the ability to transfer this knowledge to the practical activity of prevention/functional rehabilitation of patients through practice and interaction with the different professionals in the team.

Autonomy of judgement. The student must demonstrate the ability to use the acquired knowledge and concepts to autonomously assess the characteristics and clinical condition of the patient in order to design personalised exercise programmes.

Communicative skills. The student must be able to demonstrate that he/she has the ability to communicate, to express his/her knowledge in correct Italian, using the correct terminology, and to interact with other professionals working in the health sector.

Ability to learn. The student must be able to construct his/her scientific growth in a critical and autonomous way, demonstrating a good ability to learn, not only in terms of memorising the information studied, but also in terms of organising his/her own critical thinking in relation to the subjects studied. He/she must also make correct use of the study material recommended by the teacher, as well as the more in-depth material he/she has identified.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

During the course, self-assessment tests on the topics covered are provided to give students feedback on their level of understanding.

Teaching

Frontal lessons

Attendance

There is no compulsory attendance

Course books

The course program is developed in two main parts: the first part deals with basic Molecular Biology, and the second part on the molecular biology associated with metabolic diseases and the positive effects of exercise in the prevention and treatment of such diseases.

Regarding the first part it is possible to use one of the following books:

- Lizabeth A. Allison "Fundamentals of Molecular Biology". Zanichelli (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 e 7);

- Nancy L. Craig, Orna Cohen-Fix, Rachel Green, Carol W. Greider, Gisela Storz, Cynthia Wolberger "Molecular Biology - genome Operating Principles". Pearson; (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8);

- Francesco Amaldi, Piero Benedetti, Graziano Pesole, Paul Plevani "Molecular Biology". Casa Editrice Ambrosiana); (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8);

- Benjamin Lewin, Jocelyn E. Krebs, Elliott S. Goldstein, Stephen T. Kilpatrick "The gene X". Zanichelli. (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8);

For the second part, concerning physical exercise adaptations, it is possible to consult the following texts:

- Neil Spurway and Henning Wackerhage "Genetics and molecular biology of muscle adaptation". Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.

- - Scientific articles on the subject (available on Moodle platform).

Slides and lecture notes are available on the Moodle platform.

Assessment

Expected learning outcomes will be evaluated through an oral interview that will take into account: knowledge and understanding skills (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient); Consciousness and understanding ability applied (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient); judgment autonomy (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient); communicative abilities (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient); ability to learn (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient).

The oral test is expressed in thirty.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Frontal lessons

Attendance

There is no compulsory attendance

Course books

The course program is developed in two main parts: the first part deals with basic Molecular Biology, and the second part on the molecular biology associated with metabolic diseases and the positive effects of exercise in the prevention and treatment of such diseases.

Regarding the first part it is possible to use one of the following books:

- Lizabeth A. Allison "Fundamentals of Molecular Biology". Zanichelli (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 e 7);

- Nancy L. Craig, Orna Cohen-Fix, Rachel Green, Carol W. Greider, Gisela Storz, Cynthia Wolberger "Molecular Biology - genome Operating Principles". Pearson; (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8);

- Francesco Amaldi, Piero Benedetti, Graziano Pesole, Paul Plevani "Molecular Biology". Casa Editrice Ambrosiana); (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8);

- Benjamin Lewin, Jocelyn E. Krebs, Elliott S. Goldstein, Stephen T. Kilpatrick "The gene X". Zanichelli. (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8);

For the second part, concerning physical exercise adaptations, it is possible to consult the following texts:

- Neil Spurway and Henning Wackerhage "Genetics and molecular biology of muscle adaptation". Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.

- - Scientific articles on the subject (available on Moodle platform).

Slides and lecture notes are available on the Moodle platform.

Assessment

Expected learning outcomes will be evaluated through an oral interview that will take into account: knowledge and understanding skills (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient); Consciousness and understanding ability applied (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient); judgment autonomy (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient); communicative abilities (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient); ability to learn (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient).

The oral test is expressed in thirty.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.