Genomics and Epigenomics of Gene Regulation

Oggetto:

Genomics and Epigenomics of Gene Regulation

Oggetto:

Genomica ed Epigenomica della Regolazione Genica

Oggetto:

Academic year 2022/2023

Course ID

BIO0143B Pds 306-TB

Teacher

Prof.ssa Valeria Poli

Modular course

GENOMICS AND EPIGENOMICS (BIO0143 Pds 306-TB)

Degree course

[0101M22] Molecular Biotechnology

Year

1st year

Teaching period

First semester

Type

Distinctive

Credits/Recognition

5 CFU

Course disciplinary sector (SSD)

BIO/11 - molecular biology

Delivery

Formal authority

Language

English

Attendance

Obligatory

Type of examination

Written and oral

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

This class requires basic knowledge of the epigenetic mechanisms regulating gene expression as well as of the mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation via RNA interference and microRNAs.

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Course objectives

This course aims at providing students with updated information on the molecular basis of epigenetic regulation of the activities of genetic material, in particular transcription, through the interaction of DNA-binding proteins (transcription factors, readers) and enzymes that covalently modify the chromatin (writers, erasers). Concepts of spatial regulation of transcription and nuclear architecture will also be discussed, as well as the mechanisms regulating the activities of microRNAs and the role of RNA interference in gene expression regulation. Finally, the main known roles of non-coding RNAs will be discussed. Last but not least, all this knowledge will be put to use for the understanding of their most advanced biotechnological and biomedical applications, and in particular the development of epigenetic drugs and the use of RNA interference techniques in the treatment of acquired or inherited diseases.

OBIETTIVI FORMATIVI

Questo insegnamento si prefigge di fornire agli studenti informazioni aggiornate sulle basi molecolari della regolazione epigenetica delle attivita’ del materiale genico, in particolare la trascrizione, tramite l’interazione di proteine che legano il DNA (fattori trascrizionali, readers) ed enzimi che modificano covalentemente la cromatina (writers, erasers). Si discuteranno inoltre concetti di regolazione spaziale della trascrizione e di architettura nucleare, e si approfondira’ la conoscenza dei meccanismi che regolano l’attivita’ dei microRNA e in generale il ruolo dell’ interferenza dell’RNA nella reglazione dell’espressione genica. Infine, si discuteranno i principali ruoli noti degli RNA non codificanti. Non ultimo, tutte queste conoscenze verranno messe a frutto per la comprensione delle loro piu’ avanzate applicazioni biotecnologiche e biomediche, e in particolare lo sviluppo di farmaci epigenetici e l’uso di tecniche di interferenza dell’RNA nella terapia delle malattie acquisite o erededitarie.

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Results of learning outcomes

Aside from knowing the topics illustrated during the lessons, at the end of the course students will have to demonstrate that they are able to interconnect the knowledge gained about the different topics and have mastered the most recent literature on the processes studied and their alterations in pathological processes. In addition, students must be able to critically evaluate experimental approaches (in vitro and in vivo) that are the basis of the current knowledge in this field of research.

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Course delivery

The course will consist for 80% of platform lectures, and for 20% of critical reading sessions, compulsory.

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Learning assessment methods

After the completion of the platform lectures, there will be several sessions of critical reading of the relevant literature, as follows: groupos of 2-3 students will choose one paper from a provided list of articles, and they will have to present the data in class, upon specific questions by the teacher. This will include a discussion of contents, implications, experimental approach and perspectives. At the end, scores in 30^th will be assigned (up to 30/30 + laudem=31/30). These will contribute to 1/3 of the final score.

The final test will be written (5 open questions), aiming at determining the acquired knowledge, the degree of understanding and the ability to connect different problems. One of the questions will be about one of the papers discussed in class. Scoring will be in 30^th (up to 30/30 + laudem=31/30), and will count for 2/3 of the final score.

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Support activities

Lessons will be recorded and loaded on the Moodle platform along with the slides and the bibliographic material.

Personal consulting/tutoring available previous email appointment.

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Program

Epigenetics and transcription

•Revision of hopefully known concepts related to chromatin and transcription – the bases

•TF: how the activation domains work – demonstration of the recruitment mechanism

•Enhansosomes and repressosomes: new concepts

•The histone code and its interpretation – writers/readers/erasers

•Long and short range transcriptional repression

•DNA methylation/demethylation (regulation, functions)

•Epigenetic reprogramming during development

•Epigenetic mutantions/modifications and cancer and as therapeutic targets

•New thoughts: is there an epigenetic memory across generations?

•New concepts in the gene expression factory

•Nuclear architecture and transcription

•Transcriptional insulators

The RNA WORLD:

Non-coding RNAs, transcriptional an post-transcriptional control and EPIGENETICS

•The mechanism of the RNA interference

•microRNAs:transcriptional and post-transcriprional regulation, biological roles, alterations in disease (e.g. cancer), clinical and experimental applications

•Not just micro: other short dsRNAs and their roles

•Long non-coding RNAs

•Competing endogenous RNAs

Descrizione

Note

Le modalità di svolgimento dell'attività didattica potranno subire variazioni in base alle limitazioni imposte dalla crisi sanitaria in corso. In ogni caso è assicurata la modalità a distanza per tutto l'anno accademico

Oggetto:

Master Program in Molecular Biotechnology