CODE 84698 ACADEMIC YEAR 2018/2019 CREDITS 2 cfu anno 2 MONITORAGGIO BIOLOGICO 9016 (LM-6) - GENOVA 2 cfu anno 2 BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE E SANITARIA 9015 (LM-6) - GENOVA LANGUAGE Italian TEACHING LOCATION GENOVA SEMESTER 2° Semester OVERVIEW In the course of biological evolution will be developed topics related to the old and new evolutionary theories. The biological evolution in recent decades has increasingly adopted a molecular approach in order to understand the evolution of genomes and cell types present in multi-cellular organisms. Moreover, the bioinformatics help to resolve the evolutionary history of species thanks to the analysis of gene sequences. AIMS AND CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES The course aims to investigate the following aspects: Evolution of species. Evolutionary theories. Molecular evolution. Evolutionary mechanisms underlying the evolution of genomes. Bioinformatic and phylogenetic trees reconstruction. AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES Attendance and participation in the planned training activities (lectures and computer activities) will allow the student to acquire the most important aspects of this course. Specifically, the student will be able to: 1. to describe the basic notions on the evolution of species and evolutionary theories; 2. describe the main evolutionary mechanisms underlying the evolution of genomes; 3. look for homologous gene sequences and construct phylogenetic trees. PREREQUISITES To adress the teaching content is necessary to have basic knowledge on biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, molecular biology and biochemistry. TEACHING METHODS The teaching consists of lectures and exercises in the computer room. Lectures are carried out with the help of powerpoint presentations. SYLLABUS/CONTENT The course focus on the following aspects: - From Darwin's side: old and new evolutionary theories - The history of the Celacanto: the living fossil fish and the conquest of the land that emerged - Dinosaurs among us: their descendants surviving extinction - From bats to whales: the opposite extremisms of the adaptive radiation of mammals - Molecular evolution: aminoacids, RNA and DNA. - Evolution of the cell types that constitute the current multicellular organisms. - Evolution of genomes, genetic variability and evolution. - Evolution and embryonic development: Evo-Devo. - Phylogenetic trees and bioinformatics. RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY All the PowerPoint presentations and other teaching material will be available on AulaWeb at the end of each cycle of lessons / exercises. The recommended texts are: -Marco Ferraguti e Carla Castellacci.Evoluzione. Modelli e processi. Pearson Education pagine 456. ISBN 9788871926247 -David Sadava, Craig H Heller, Gordon H Orians,William K Purves, David M. Hillis. -Biologia, Volume 3, L'evoluzione e la biodiversità. Zanichelli pagine 360 ISBN 9788808202123 -Douglas J. Futuyma L' evoluzione Zanichelli pagine 701 ISBN: 8808166929 - Mason K.A., Losos J.B. Singer S.R. - Evoluzione e diversità della vita. Piccin Editore, Padova - Futuyma D.J. - L'evoluzione. Zanichelli Editore, Bologna TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD SIMONA CANDIANI Ricevimento: It is fixed by the teacher in agreement with the students ROBERTO PRONZATO Exam Board SIMONA CANDIANI (President) ROBERTO PRONZATO LESSONS LESSONS START From the second semester. The timetable will be agreed with the students. Class schedule The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy EXAMS EXAM DESCRIPTION The exam consists of a written and an oral part. The written exam will be done with multiple choice questions and open questions. ASSESSMENT METHODS The written and oral examination will focus on the topics covered during the lectures and exercises by the computer and will have the purpose to assess both the correct understanding of the topics, and the ability of the student to apply what is acquired. Exam schedule Data appello Orario Luogo Degree type Note 23/01/2019 09:00 GENOVA Orale 14/02/2019 09:00 GENOVA Orale 14/06/2019 09:00 GENOVA Orale 01/07/2019 09:00 GENOVA Orale 26/07/2019 09:00 GENOVA Orale 05/09/2019 09:00 GENOVA Orale 17/09/2019 09:00 GENOVA Orale FURTHER INFORMATION Attendance at lessons is strongly recommended.