Program Overview

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND LABORATORY

Course Details

• Code: 65534
• Academic Year: 2025/2026
• Credits: 9 cfu anno 3 SCIENZE BIOLOGICHE 8762 (L-13) - GENOVA
• Scientific Disciplinary Sector: BIO/11
• Language: Italian
• Teaching Location: GENOVA
• Semester: 1° Semester

Prerequisites

To approach the study of molecular biology, it is necessary to have acquired knowledge of:

• General and inorganic chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Biochemistry

Specific prerequisites for the exam include:

• Biological Sciences 8762 (coorte 2023/2024)
• Institutions of Mathematics
• Biological Chemistry and Laboratory

Teaching Methods

• Lectures and seminars
• Practical activities

Syllabus/Content

The course covers:

• DNA structure
• Gene concept
• Chromatin and histones
• Molecular mechanisms of DNA replication
• Transcription in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
• Translation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
• Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression
• Specific site recombination and recombinases
• Homologous recombination
• DNA transposons
• Retrotransposons
• Nucleic acid extraction techniques
• Qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques of nucleic acids
• Electrophoresis on agarose gel and in micro-fluidics
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) principle and applications
• RNA reverse transcription, cDNA and RACE techniques
• Site-specific mutagenesis
• Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and digital PCR (ddPCR) principles and applications

Practical Part

• Extraction of nucleic acids from biological samples
• Electrophoretic analysis of DNA on agarose gel
• Reaction setup for reverse transcription and PCR reactions
• Nucleic acid assay
• Digestion with restriction enzymes

Recommended Reading/Bibliography

The in-depth analysis of the contents of the program can be carried out on any university textbook on molecular biology, as long as they are editions updated to the last five years.

Teachers and Exam Board

• Marco Giovine
• Marina Pozzolini
• Exam Board:
  • Marco Giovine (President)
  • Sonia Scarfi'
  • Marina Pozzolini (President Substitute)

Lessons

• Lessons start at the beginning of October
• Class schedule: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND LABORATORY

Exams

• Exam description: The student will be evaluated through a final oral test (max 30 points and possible honors)
• Assessment methods: The final evaluation of the training course will be carried out through an oral test, to whose evaluation the score previously acquired in the practical part (max 2/30) will be added.