OVERVIEW

Marine molecular biology is the study of the molecular mechanisms that govern marine organisms. It is essential to understand how organisms live, how they interact with the marine environment and how they adapt to environmental changes. By following this course, students will have the opportunity to acquire theoretical and practical skills in the molecular field, addressing general issues in marine biodiversity conservation.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module aims to provide specific knowledge of the biology of marine organisms at various levels of organisation, ranging from molecular to cellular and individual levels. In particular, the molecular and functional aspects that underlie adaptations to the marine environment will be highlighted. Different case studies will be illustrated, ranging from protozoa to mammals, which underline the solutions adopted in various environmental contexts characterised by distinct abiotic variables.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The participation in the planned educational activities (lectures) will allow the student to acquire the knowledge necessary to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the strategies of adaptation to living conditions in different marine environments.

Specifically, the student will be able to:

· Understand the molecular mechanisms and structural characteristics of proteins and enzymes involved in light production and fluorescence emission in marine organisms.

· Understand the main biosynthetic pathways for color production in marine organisms.

· Understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying biomineralization processes in marine organisms and distinguish the main biogeochemical contexts characterizing the bioconstruction and bioerosion processes of carbonate habitats.

· Understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying byssus production and related adhesion mechanisms.

· Learn methods for analyzing gene expression aimed at studying stress adaptations and resilience in marine animal and plant organisms.

· Understand the molecular and metabolic bases of interaction and recognition between organisms and symbionts, and between organisms and mineral substrates in marine invertebrates (sponges and corals).

· Learn biomolecular and cellular study methods for the evolution of inflammatory processes, with particular attention to invertebrate model systems.

· Examine the structural aspects of proteins involved in oxygen and CO2 transport in marine invertebrates, including hypoxia management.

· Understand the molecular adaptations of organisms living in extreme submarine environments and their connections to the most accredited theories on the origin of life on Earth.

The acquisition and understanding of this knowledge will enable the student to address, both culturally and managerially, the issues related to the study and conservation of marine biodiversity in the current context of global change and significant anthropogenic impact.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements.

TEACHING METHODS

The module consists of frontal lessons delivered through multimedia presentations.

Attendance at classes is strongly recommended.

The way lessons are taught may be modified due to emergencies that prevent in-person lessons from being held. In this case, classes will be held via the Teams platform using suitable substitute teaching tools.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

· Luminescence, Chemiluminescence, Fluorescence, and Bioluminescence: General Principles.

· Chemiluminescence and Fluorescence in Marine Organisms: Mechanisms of action of luciferin and luciferase. Aequorin. GFPs: structure, mechanism, and their evolution in marine invertebrates. Notes on their biotechnological applications.

· The Nature and Role of Pigments in Marine Invertebrates: True colors and false colors. Plant pigments (chlorophylls, carotenoids, anthocyanins). Animal pigments (melanins, carotenoproteins, astaxanthins, carotenoids in sponges, astaxanthins in crustaceans, the example of the blue crab).

· Biosilicification in Diatoms and Radiolarians.

· Mechanisms of Biosilicification in Sponges.

· Mechanisms of Carbonate Bioprecipitation in Coccolithophores, Foraminifera, and Corallinales. Other mineral biostructures: stromatolites and coralligenous.

· Mechanisms of Carbonate Bioprecipitation in Corals.

· Mechanisms of Carbonate Bioprecipitation in Molluscs.

· Magnetotactic Bacteria.

· Aggregation Factors in Porifera: Self-non-self recognition in porifera and corals, the establishment of symbioses.

· Symbioses in Corals: Zooxanthellae, the role of zooxanthellae in coral metabolism, the role of zooxanthellae in the biomineralization process.

· The Evolution of Inflammatory Mechanisms in Porifera: TNF and inflammatory cytokines and their relation to extracellular matrix protein production. The mechanism of mineral substrate recognition.

· Role and Synthesis of NO in Sponges and its correlation with temperature increase and development.

· Chemosynthesis in Hydrothermal Vents: Metabolic relationships between symbionts and invertebrates living near oceanic fracture zones. The metabolism of R. pachyptila.

· Hemoglobins and Hemocyanins: Hemoglobin of R. pachyptila, hemocyanins in molluscs and crustaceans, and mechanisms of adaptation to hypoxia.

· Marine Models for Studying the Biology of Aging: The example of Arctica islandica.

· Immune Defenses in Limulus: The coagulogen coagulation cascade. Applied contexts in biomedicine.

· Byssus: Molecular mechanisms of substrate adhesion processes by bivalves.

· The Evolution of miRNAs in Lower Vertebrates: The example of cnidarians.

· Analysis of Gene Expression in Marine Organisms: Transcriptomes and differential transcriptomes.

· Molecular Stress Indicators in Marine Phanerogams: Study methods.

· The Discovery of Abscisic Acid in the Animal Kingdom: ABA and sponges, its implications in vertebrate and human biology.

· 2 Themed Seminars on New Discoveries in Marine Molecular Biology.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Material provided by the teacher (bibliography, ppt presentations).

The slides used during the lectures will be provided to the students at the end of the course; part of the teaching material (bibliography, ppt presentations) will be made available on AulaWeb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For lessons start and timetable visit:  https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral test and is designed to evaluate the knowledge of the fundamental elements of the subject and the ability to connect these various topics. The final grade is given by the arithmetic mean of the grades of the two modules of MOLECULAR BIOLOGY and MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The knowledge and skills acquired will be verified through the oral discussion of at least two topics of the program.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.