OVERVIEW

Molecular Physiology studies the structure / function relationships of biopolymers. The teaching focuses on some topics such as the fluidity of biological membranes, adaptation to environmental changes, the transport mechanisms of molecules through the membrane, the molecular mechanisms involved in the maintenance of the body's homeostasis. The course also introduces quantitative studies of molecular interactions, microscopy and a number of spectroscopic techniques.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at providing basic training in the field of  Molecular Physiology.

In particular, the course aims at achieving the following objectives:

•knowledge of the basic principles underlining the structure/function relationship in living systems from molecules to cells and tissues

•deepening of some recent techniques for structural characterization of cells and biopolymers

deepening the role of ionic channel mutations  in some important pathological conditions

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Participation in the planned training activities (frontal lessons) will allow students to acquire the fundamental notions of Molecular Physiology that may be useful for professional opportunities in the field of Biological Sciences.

Specifically, the student must be able to:

• to know general mechanisms of physiological processes and their processes

• to acquire the fundamental notions on the structural organization, chemical-physical characteristics, role of biological membranes and transport mechanisms;

• to deepen the knowledge on the spectroscopic and microscopic techniques used in Molecular Physiology.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching method includes at least 8 frontal lessons of 2 hours each.

Lectures in the classroom are delivered through multimedia presentations.

Attendance at the course is strongly recommended.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction to Molecular Physiology.

Biological Membranes: Chemical-physical characteristics of membrane lipids and function; Liposomes and micelles: characteristic and use as drug and cosmetic vehicles.

Biological Membrane Fluidity: physiological role; factors that modulate fluidity (saturated and unsaturated fatty acids w-3 and w-6); techniques for quantitative analysis of in situ fluidity (fluorescence probes, fluorescence anisotropy, FTIR spectroscopy, FLIP whitening techniques, FRET); Diagnostic and therapeutic implications (in pathologies such as schizophrenia, leukemia, etc.).

Ionic channels: classification, structure/function; ionic selectivity; canalopathies (dystrophy, etc.).

Water channels: structure/function, classification; the role of aquaproins in degenerative and metabolic diseases (dystrophy, neurodegenerative diabetes, etc.).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Notes and material provided in class.

Recommended text:  V. Taglietti, C. Casella Principi di Fisiologia e Biofisica della Cellula. Ed. La Goliardica Pavese

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LAURA VERGANI (President)

ELENA GRASSELLI

ADRIANA VOCI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

April 2019

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral.

The examination procedure to assess the achievement of the objectives set will take place with an oral examination, and is always be conducted by a Commission consisting of at least two tenured teachers (or in cases limited by a tenured professor and a lecturer of the subject designated by the CCS) and has a duration of at least 20 minutes. The Commission, appointed in this way, is able to verify with high accuracy the achievement of the educational objectives of the teaching.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The Commission accurately verifies the achievement of the educational objectives of the teaching by asking different questions related to the program actually carried out during the lessons of the course. For the final evaluation of the student the commission evaluates the following requirements: level of knowledge of the topics covered by the questions, exposure skills, ability to reason and link with other topics of the course. In the event that the training objectives are not achieved, the student is invited to better verify his / her knowledge and possibly to make use of further explanations by contacting the teacher in charge of the course.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Attendance at the course is strongly recommended.