The objective of the Nutritional Genetics and Epigenetics course is to introduce the student to the fundamentals of genetics and epigenetics and to their interactions with food. Students will acquire information concerning the principles of genetics, from the structure of the genome to the mutations responsible for specific genetic pathologies, focusing in particular on those associated with feeding and metabolism. Attention will be pointed also to epigenetics mechanisms and to the associated gene expression variations. Additionally, the role of epigenetics in nutrition-related pathologies and in mediating the effects of the diet on aging will be analyzed.

Principles of genetics
- The human genome, genes and chromosomes

- Cell cycle, mitosis and meiosis
- From Mendel to post-genomics
- Types of mutations
Principles of epigenetics and gene expression regulation
- Gene expression regulation
- DNA methylation
- Histone post-translational modifications and related experimental techniques (ChIP-seq)
Nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics
- Relation between polymorphisms and nutrition
- Genetic basis of intolerances
- Nutraceuticals and epigenetics
- Calorie restriction and epigenetics
- Diet, epigenetics and aging

None.

Knowledge and understanding - Acquisition of the tools to understand the fundamentals of genetics and epigenetics. Ability to use the language of their specific discipline.

Applying knowledge and understanding - Ability to recognize and apply the cognitive tools and the rigorous approach of nutritional genetics and epigenetics as rational of any activity related directly and indirectly to health protection.

Independence of judgment - Being able to learn and independently evaluate the results of investigations directed to the study of the interactions between genetics, epigenetics and nutrition.

Communicative skills- Ability to explain, in a simple, immediate and exhaustive manner the acquired knowledge and to interface with future professional roles (nutritionists, researchers, students, health workers).

Learning ability - Upgrade capabilities through consultation of the scientific literature related to the discipline. Ability to participate, using the knowledge gained in the course, to the continuous updating initiatives of the professional field.

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

Teaching

The course will take place through lectures in which the teacher exposes, through visual aids (slides), the fundamental notions and provides practical examples to facilitate understanding. The teacher will try to involve students during the teaching activity also in order to verify the effectiveness of the tools used and the understanding of the topics covered.

Attendance

There are no attendance obligations but attendance at the course is strongly recommended.

Course books

Teaching material produced by the teacher will be made available to students during the course.

Assessment

In order to verify the preparation at the end of the course, the student will have to take an oral test aimed at verifying the understanding of the main aspects concerning genetics, epigenetics and their interactions with nutrients. The critical processing capacity of the topics covered during the course and the quality of the student's oral presentation will also be assessed. 

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

Non-attending students will use the materials (slides) produced by the teacher to complete their preparation. If necessary, the teacher can be contacted for further information.

Attendance

There are no attendance obligations but attendance at the course is strongly recommended.

Course books

Teaching material produced by the teacher will be made available to students during the course.

Assessment

In order to verify the preparation at the end of the course, the student will have to take an oral test aimed at verifying the understanding of the main aspects concerning genetics, epigenetics and their interactions with nutrients. The critical processing capacity of the topics covered during the course and the quality of the student's oral presentation will also be assessed. 

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.