ID:
510348
Duration (hours):
48
CFU:
6
SSD:
ZOOLOGIA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Primo Semestre (29/09/2025 - 16/01/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The course aims to provide a general knowledge of the genomics of arthropod vectors and their pathogens. For this purpose, comparative and evolutionary biology approaches will be used to understand the genetic characteristics underlying the biology of these organisms.
The objectives expected at the end of the course are:
- to know the approaches (bioinformatics and analytical) for studying arthropod vectors;
- apply knowledge of the genetic bases of the evolution and biology of these organisms in relation to diseases associated with transmitted pathogens;
- use the principles of the molecular bases of evolution to understand how pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and other parasites persist and evolve;
- learn bioinformatics approaches to analysing the genomes of these vectors, in particular the genes involved in the vector-host relationship
The objectives expected at the end of the course are:
- to know the approaches (bioinformatics and analytical) for studying arthropod vectors;
- apply knowledge of the genetic bases of the evolution and biology of these organisms in relation to diseases associated with transmitted pathogens;
- use the principles of the molecular bases of evolution to understand how pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and other parasites persist and evolve;
- learn bioinformatics approaches to analysing the genomes of these vectors, in particular the genes involved in the vector-host relationship
Course Prerequisites
The topics covered during the course require a basic knowledge of evolutionary processes and genetics. For the tutorials, a laptop computer (possibly with a Linux or MacOs environment) and familiarity with the use of UNIX and R language are also required.
Teaching Methods
Teaching is based on lectures and some classroom bioinformatics practice activities.
Power Point presentations are used for the lectures and are made available to students in the teaching section on Kiro.
During the bioinformatics exercises, students must be in possession of a laptop computer on which programmes will be installed as required on the lecturer's instructions. Students will be provided with adequate documentation to download, install and use these programmes. In addition, they will be guided during the lectures/exercises by the lecturer. The exercises consist of an individual part and one in which they will work in small groups.
Attendance at lectures and tutorials is strongly recommended. To accommodate those who have requested inclusive teaching, interventions consistent with the specific needs of the individual student will be arranged.
Power Point presentations are used for the lectures and are made available to students in the teaching section on Kiro.
During the bioinformatics exercises, students must be in possession of a laptop computer on which programmes will be installed as required on the lecturer's instructions. Students will be provided with adequate documentation to download, install and use these programmes. In addition, they will be guided during the lectures/exercises by the lecturer. The exercises consist of an individual part and one in which they will work in small groups.
Attendance at lectures and tutorials is strongly recommended. To accommodate those who have requested inclusive teaching, interventions consistent with the specific needs of the individual student will be arranged.
Assessment Methods
Assessment for this module will consist of a short presentation followed by an oral examination.
On the day of the examination, you will be required to give a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation on a topic relevant to the course. This presentation will account for 30% of your final mark for the module.
The remaining 70% of the mark will be based on a 25-minute oral examination.
The final mark for the course will be based on the average of the mark obtained in this module and that of the examination relating to the second semester module.
On the day of the examination, you will be required to give a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation on a topic relevant to the course. This presentation will account for 30% of your final mark for the module.
The remaining 70% of the mark will be based on a 25-minute oral examination.
The final mark for the course will be based on the average of the mark obtained in this module and that of the examination relating to the second semester module.
Texts
There are no compulsory texts. Notes, handouts and slides should be sufficient.
For those wishing to study further, the recommended texts are:
- Dan Graur 'Molecular and Genome Evolution' (1st edition), Sinauer Associates, ISBN 978-1605354699
- Matthew W. Hahn 'Molecular Population Genetics' (1st Edition), Sinauer Associates, ISBN 978-0878939657
For those wishing to study further, the recommended texts are:
- Dan Graur 'Molecular and Genome Evolution' (1st edition), Sinauer Associates, ISBN 978-1605354699
- Matthew W. Hahn 'Molecular Population Genetics' (1st Edition), Sinauer Associates, ISBN 978-0878939657
Contents
This part of the course will cover the following topics:
- Basics of molecular evolution (genetic drift, natural selection, population genetics);
- Genome structure (transposons and gene families);
- Use of public databases for studying the genomes of arthropod vectors (e.g., NCBI, FlyBase, VectorBase).
- Metagenomics in insects.
- From genomics to insect control (e.g., population suppression and replacement);
- Bioinformatic approaches to the study of molecular evolution: PAML, OMA, OrthoFinder.
There will also be a Journal Club dedicated to the interpretation and critical analysis of articles related to the course topics. At the end of the JC, students, divided into small groups, will present an article of their choice. The presentation will be prepared under the guidance of the teachers.
- Basics of molecular evolution (genetic drift, natural selection, population genetics);
- Genome structure (transposons and gene families);
- Use of public databases for studying the genomes of arthropod vectors (e.g., NCBI, FlyBase, VectorBase).
- Metagenomics in insects.
- From genomics to insect control (e.g., population suppression and replacement);
- Bioinformatic approaches to the study of molecular evolution: PAML, OMA, OrthoFinder.
There will also be a Journal Club dedicated to the interpretation and critical analysis of articles related to the course topics. At the end of the JC, students, divided into small groups, will present an article of their choice. The presentation will be prepared under the guidance of the teachers.
Course Language
English
More information
For students in the categories listed below, individual meetings for up to two hours per week are available as well as appropriate teaching material.
Categories:
1) working student; 2) student engaged in caring for family members; 3) student with civil disability; 4) student with disabilities or specific learning disorders; 5) student parent; 6) student athlete; 7) student in prison regimen; 7) student in inpatient regimen or suffering from certified medical conditions
Categories:
1) working student; 2) student engaged in caring for family members; 3) student with civil disability; 4) student with disabilities or specific learning disorders; 5) student parent; 6) student athlete; 7) student in prison regimen; 7) student in inpatient regimen or suffering from certified medical conditions
Degrees
Degrees
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS
Master’s Degree
2 years
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