MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF MENTAL ACTIVITY

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

General Module

Course Sheet

Course code:

PSICLI004E

Academic Year of enrolment:

2020

Year of supply:

2020/2021

Type of Course:

Related/Supplementary

Degree:

Course of 2nd Cycle Degree in CLINICAL AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

Disciplinary Sector:

Laboratory Medicine Techniques

Is part of:

BIOMEDICAL MECHANISMS OF MENTAL ACTIVITY

Location:

CHIETI

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

ROMANO Mario

Cycle:

Second semester

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of cell biology is requested

Objectives

To provide the students with the fundamentals of epigenetics and molecular biology in order to make them knowledgeable of the impact that changes in these processes may have on behavioural and mental disorders

Contents

Starting from the definition of a general framework of the interaction among molecular, environmental and social factors, the student will be introduced to the main cellular molecular processes and the related analytical methods of investigation in order to be enabled to appreciate the current paradigms of the relationship between genetic and epigenetic variants with behavioural disturbances and/or neuropsychiatric disorders.

Extended Syllabus

Structure, function and analytical methods of nucleic acids
DNA replication
Telomers and telomerases
Transcription and post-transcriptional events
Protein synthesis and post-translational events
Epigenetic mechanisms
Restriction enzymes and molecular cloning
DNA sequencing
Genetic polymorphisms: definition and analytical methods
DNA microarray and transcriptomics
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR and real time PCR)
RNA interference and microRNA
lncRNA
Genetic and epigenetic variants related to behavioural and neuro psychiatric disorders
The inflammatory response and its resolution
Modulation of the the inflammatory response and its resolution in behavioural and neuro psychiatric disorders
Stem cells in neuropsychiatric disorders

Recommended Bibliography

Handouts provided by the teacher

Teaching Methods

Frontal lessons with audiovideo support

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

Interactive lessons with frequent questions to students on the topics covered during the current and previous lessons. Written exam test with 31 multiple choice questions. Every wrong answer will subtract one point. The correct answer to all questions will be worth 30 marks with honors. The mark from 18 to 21 indicates just enough learning, from 22 to 24 a fairly good learning, from 25 to 27 a good learning and from 28 to 30 an excellent learning. The mark "with honors" indicates particular capability to critically analyse the course topics.

Contacts/More Information

Call 0871541475 o send an email to mromano@unich.it for information or to schedule an appointment

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

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