BIOLOGIA APPLICATA - ANATOMIA UMANA A - L

Module BIOLOGIA APPLICATA

Knowledge and understanding
By the end of the module, students will be able to describe the structural and functional organisation of the eukaryotic cell and of the tissues covered by the syllabus; define the molecular mechanisms regulating cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix interactions; illustrate the processes of cell proliferation, senescence, differentiation and death; recognise the features and differentiation potential of stem cells; explain the principles of two- and three-dimensional cell models used in biological and clinical research.
Related assessment: written test with multiple-choice and open-ended questions and/or oral examination, aimed at assessing command of the course contents and of the specific terminology of the discipline.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge in order to interpret basic experimental data in cell biology; correlate alterations in cell adhesion, proliferation and death mechanisms with the main inherited and acquired diseases; use disciplinary terminology to establish interdisciplinary connections with the other biological and biomedical subjects of the degree programme, with specific reference to the pharmaceutical field.
Related assessment: application-oriented open questions and discussion of short cases/experimental data during the examination.

Making judgements
Students will be able to analyse and critically evaluate experimental data and results, compare the suitability of different cell models with respect to a given experimental question, and distinguish physiological from pathological cellular processes, justifying their conclusions.
Supporting activities: guided classroom discussion of experimental data and images; comparative analysis of short excerpts from the scientific literature.
Related assessment: comparative and interpretative open questions within the examination.

Communication skills
Students will be able to present and argue the contents learned using appropriate technical language, explaining cellular processes and mechanisms clearly and in an orderly manner to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Supporting activities: classroom interventions and discussions; short group presentations on syllabus topics, where scheduled.
Related assessment: quality of presentation in the oral examination and in the open-ended answers of the written test.

Learning skills
Students will develop the ability to retrieve bibliographic material independently, to search for and update their knowledge through specialist databases (e.g. PubMed), and to deepen the course contents in a self-directed way, so as to approach the subsequent biomedical subjects of the programme autonomously.
Supporting activities: recommended further readings and primary sources; guided bibliographic search exercises.
Related assessment: monitoring of learning progression during classroom activities; request, at the examination, for connections and in-depth insights that go beyond the basic teaching material.

The module comprises a total of 21 teaching hours of lecture-based teaching (DE), devoted to the presentation of contents through lectures supported by slides, images and videos on the topics covered.

The teaching material used in class is made available on the Studium platform.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

Basic knowledge of chemistry and biology acquired at upper secondary school level is essential, in particular: atomic structure and chemical bonds, solutions and pH, structure and function of the main biological macromolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates), and the general organisation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Basic familiarity with the scientific method and the ability to read graphs and tables are considered useful.

Formal prerequisites: No formal prerequisite is required by the Academic Regulations of the degree programme. The knowledge listed above constitutes a cultural prerequisite: it is not binding for the registration of the exam, but it is necessary to understand the course contents.

Attendance is compulsory, as required by the academic regulations of the degree programme. Absences are allowed for no more than 30% of the total teaching hours, in all forms of delivery (https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13/regolamento-didattico).

The rights of working students and, where necessary, of students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders are safeguarded.

1. Cells and microenvironment: tissue formation and tissue microenvironment
Chemical basis and molecular organisation of living organisms. Organisation of biological systems: from cell to tissue. Cell–cell interactions: types of cell junction (tight, adherens and gap junctions), adhesion receptors and molecules (integrins, cadherins, selectins, lectins). Homophilic and heterophilic interactions. The extracellular matrix of connective tissues: composition (collagens, elastin, glycoproteins, proteoglycans), structure, interaction with cells and remodelling. Outline of diseases associated with altered cell adhesion or altered extracellular matrix structure.

2. Tissue maintenance, remodelling and renewal
Cell proliferation: the cell cycle and its regulation, mitogens and growth factors, checkpoints and the DNA damage response, cellular senescence. Cell death: death signals, apoptosis, necrosis, outline of other forms of regulated cell death (e.g. necroptosis). Stem cells and nuclear reprogramming: general features, differentiation potential, types (embryonic, embryonic germ, foetal, amniotic, adult, induced). Outline of study techniques and applications of stem cells.

3. 2D and 3D cell models
Cell lines, primary cultures, spheroids, organoids and 3D printing: technological aspects and applications in biological, pharmacological and clinical research.

4. Methods and technologies in biological research
Main methods for studying cells and their use in the interpretation of experimental data: light and fluorescence microscopy, staining and immunodetection techniques, viability and proliferation assays, outline of gene and protein expression analysis techniques.

Contribution of the course to the 2030 Agenda goals
The course contributes to Goal 3 (Good health and well-being), by providing the cellular and molecular basis needed to understand disease mechanisms and drug action; to Goal 4 (Quality education), by fostering an autonomous and critical study method; and to Goal 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), by presenting the advanced cell models used in preclinical research and in the development of new therapeutic strategies.

The achievement of the expected learning outcomes (defined according to the Dublin Descriptors) is assessed through a written test and an oral examination, designed jointly with the Human Anatomy module.

The written test lasts 60 minutes and consists of 30 multiple-choice questions (0.5 points each) and 10 open-ended questions (maximum 1.5 points each), covering all syllabus topics; it assesses knowledge and understanding of the contents and the ability to apply them to the interpretation of experimental data and situations. A minimum score of 17/30 in the written test is required in order to sit the oral examination. The result of the written test is valid for one academic year.

The oral examination generally consists of three questions focused on the core topics of the syllabus (cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions; proliferation, differentiation and cell death; stem cells and cell models) and lasts on average 15–20 minutes. Assessment elements include: relevance of the answers to the questions asked, quality of contents, ability to connect topics covered in the syllabus, ability to provide examples, command of technical language and overall expressive ability.

No in-itinere tests are scheduled.

The final mark of the module, expressed out of 30, takes equal account of the written test and the oral examination; the mark of the integrated course is agreed jointly by the teachers of the modules.

Assessment criteria
The final mark takes account of the following equally weighted factors, consistent with the expected learning outcomes: appropriateness, correctness and consistency of knowledge, skills and competences; expressive ability and appropriate use of the specific language of the discipline; logical reasoning and ability to connect different topics; ability to synthesise, including through diagrams and graphical representations; willingness to interact with the teacher during the oral examination; critical thinking, self-assessment, problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

On this basis, the assessment is articulated as follows:

•          Fail: the student does not have the minimum required knowledge of the main contents of the course. The ability to use specific terminology is very poor or absent and the student is unable to apply the acquired knowledge independently.

•          18–21: the student has minimal knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms covered by the syllabus, shows a modest ability to integrate and critically analyse the situations presented, and presents the topics in a sufficiently clear way, although command of language is poorly developed.

•          22–25: the student has fair knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms covered by the syllabus, though limited to the main topics; is able to integrate and critically analyse the situations presented, albeit not always in a linear way, and presents the topics fairly clearly with fair command of language.

•          26–28: the student has good knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms covered by the syllabus, is able to integrate and critically analyse the situations presented in a linear way, solves complex problems fairly independently and presents the topics clearly, using appropriate language.

•          29–30 with distinction: the student has thorough knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms covered by the syllabus, promptly and correctly integrates and critically analyses the situations presented, independently solving even highly complex problems; communication skills and command of language are excellent.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it.

Information for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders
To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA, https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti) and referring teacher (prof.ssa Santina Chiechio, e-mail: santina.chiechio@unict.it) within the department.

Examination dates
Examination dates are published on the degree programme website: https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13/calendario-esami

1.        Describe the structure and function of tight junctions and compare them with gap junctions.

2.        Homophilic and heterophilic cell–cell interactions: molecules involved and examples.

3.        Structure and functions of collagen; functional consequences of its alterations.

4.        Functions of the extracellular matrix and mechanisms of its remodelling.

5.        Illustrate the cell cycle checkpoints and the role of mitogens in cell cycle progression.

6.        Morphological, molecular and functional differences between apoptosis and necrosis; outline of necroptosis.

7.        Features of stem cells and their classification according to differentiation potential.

8.        Compare 2D and 3D cell models, indicating advantages, limitations and fields of application in preclinical research.