Title: STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF BIOPOLYMERS
Teacher(s): Prof. Mauro Chinappi
Credits: 3
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Knowledge of the main biopolymers, particularly proteins and nucleic acids, and ability to use computational tools to visualize and analyse their structures.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Understanding of the chemical and physical principles underlying structural motifs in biopolymers.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Ability to apply the knowledge acquired during the lessons and to use computational tools for the visualization and analysis of biopolymer structures.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS
Ability to critically assess the correctness and reliability of biopolymer structures using computational and visualization tools.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Ability to communicate effectively with researchers in genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology.
LEARNING SKILLS
Ability to autonomously extend one’s own knowledge by using appropriate literature and visualization tools, and to work independently in related fields.
PREREQUISITES
Physics and Chemistry.
TOPICS
Introduction to polymers, biopolymers and the main classes of biological macromolecules, with particular attention to proteins and nucleic acids.
Structure of DNA and RNA: nucleotides, nucleobases, molecular organization and interactions stabilizing nucleic-acid structures.
Amino acids, peptide bonds and the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures of proteins.
Use of molecular databases and computational tools for the visualization and structural analysis of proteins and nucleic acids.
Basic principles of molecular biology: central dogma, transcription, translation and DNA replication.
Polymerase chain reaction: amplification mechanism, primer design, thermostable polymerases and principal applications.
EVALUATION
Type: oral examination.
Description: The exam of Structural and functional properties of biopolymers consists of three written tests and an oral examination. The written tests will take place respectively in the middle of the first part and at the end the two parts of the course.
The oral test is optional for students who have passed the written tests and compulsory for all the others.
The oral exam consists in three theoretical questions (each contributes with 10/30 to the final vote). The exam evaluates the overall preparation of the student, the ability to integrate the knowledge of the different parts of the program, the consequentiality of the reasoning, the analytical ability and the autonomy of judgment. Furthermore, language properties and clarity of presentation are assessed, in compliance with the Dublin descriptors (1. Knowledge and understanding; 2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding; 3 . Making judgments; 4. Learning skills; 5: Communication skills).
The final vote of the exam is expressed out of thirty and will be obtained through the following graduation system:
Not pass: important deficiencies and / or inaccuracies in the knowledge and understanding of the topics; limited capacity for analysis and synthesis, frequent generalizations and limited critical and judgment skills, the arguments are presented in an inconsistent way and with inappropriate language,
18-20: just sufficient knowledge and understanding of the topics with possible generalizations and imperfections; sufficient capacity for analysis, synthesis and autonomy of judgment, the topics are frequently exposed in an inconsistent way and with inappropriate / technical language,
21-23: Routine knowledge and understanding of topics; ability to analyze and synthesize with sufficiently coherent logical argument and appropriate / technical language
24-26: Fair knowledge and understanding of the topics; good analysis and synthesis skills with rigorously expressed arguments but with a language that is not always appropriate / technical.
27-29: Complete knowledge and understanding of the topics; remarkable abilities of analysis and synthesis. Good autonomy of judgment. Topics exposed rigorously and with appropriate / technical language
30-30L: Excellent level of knowledge and in-depth understanding of the topics. Excellent skills of analysis, synthesis and autonomy of judgment. Arguments expressed in an original way and with appropriate technical language.
ADOPTED TEXTS
Slides provided by Professor.
VMD user manual.
DELIVERY MODE (Presence/e-learning)
Precence.
TEACHING METHODS
The course is held by lectures including theory and exercises. Lectures and some lessons carried out with PC.