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:

acquire knowledge on the modalities of expression of genes related to adaptation to abiotic variations of the marine environment.

Know the structural aspects of proteins involved in the transport of oxygen and CO2 in fish and marine invertebrates. The management of hypoxia.

Know the molecular mechanisms and structural characteristics of proteins and enzymes involved in the production of light in marine organisms

Know the main biosynthetic ways for the production of colors in marine organisms

Know the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying biomineralization processes in marine organisms

Know the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the production of the extracellular matrix of marine organisms

Know the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying chitin metabolism in marine invertebrates

To know the molecular adaptations of the organisms that live in extreme environments (chemiosynthesis, the organism-symbiont molecular relationships).

The acquisition and understanding of this knowledge will allow the student to be able to deal with the general themes of the development and conservation of marine biodiversity also with a view to global changes and the anthropic impact on the marine environment

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

Bioluminescence in marine organisms. Chemiluminescence, fluorescence and phosphorescence in marine organisms. Examples and molecular mechanisms.

Mechanisms of action of luciferin and luciferase, GFP, their evolution in marine invertebrates, aequorin

Chemiluminescence

The nature and role of pigments in marine invertebrates. True colors and false colors, plant pigments (chlorophylls, carotenoids, anthocyanins), animal pigments (melanins, carotenoproteins, astaxantines, carotenoids in sponges, astaxantines in crustaceans, the example of blue crab)

Biosilicification in diatoms and radiolarians.

The biosilicification mechanisms in sponges

Bioprecipitation mechanisms of carbonates in cooclitophorides, in foraminifera, in corallinales. Other mineral biostructures: stromatolites and coralligenous.

The mechanisms of bioprecipitation of carbonates in corals.

The role of zooxanthellae in the carbonate metabolism of corals

The mechanisms of bioprecipitation of carbonates in molluscs

The extracellular matrix of marine organisms. Marine collagen

The biosynthesis of chitin in marine invertebrates

Symbiosis in corals. zooxanthellae, the role of zooxanthellae in coral metabolism, the role of zooxanthellae in the biomineralization process.

Chemosynthesis in hydrothermal vents. Metabolic abductions between symbionts and invertebrates that live near ocean fracture zones. The metabolism of R. pachyptila

Analysis of gene expression in marine organisms. Transcriptomas and differential transcriptomes

Hemoglobins and hemocyanins. Hemoglobin of R. pachyptila, crustacean hemocyanins and mechanisms of adaptation to hypoxia.

Marine models of study of the biology of aging: the example of Arctica islandica

The evolution of the inflammatory process: quartz intake in sponges and production of collagen mediated by cytokines

Role and synthesis of NO in sponges and its correlation with temperature increase

The discovery of abscisic acid in the animal kingdom. ABA and sponges, its implications in vertebrate and human biology

No. 2 seminars on new discoveries in the field of 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.