SIGNALING VESCICOLARE INTRA E INTER-CELLULARE

The optional course "intra- and inter-cellular vesicle-mediated signaling" aims at providing the student with an integrated view of how organelles are organized in the cytoplasm and how they interact with each other from a structural and functional point of view. Another objective is to introduce the student to the most recent discoveries about the role of extracellular vesicles, in particular exosomes, in the context of cell-to-cell communication.

The student will learn the fundamental techniques for the study of membranes and organelles, such as lipidomics and fractionation by ultracentrifugation and sucrose gradient. Ultimately, the student will be able to acquire a '3D vision' of the cell, and of the molecular dynamics of vesicle-mediated signaling, both within the cell and with the microenvironment.

Lectures and exercises.

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

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

Information for students with disabilities and / or SLD: To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and / or dispensatory measures, based on the teaching objectives and specifications needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP contact person (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and / or SLD) of the Department of Biomedical and Biotechonological Sciences.

I) Composition of cell membranes and methodology: lipidomics

II) Intracellular vesicles: from the nucleus to the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus

III) Organelles as metabolic units: mitochondria and "lipid droplets"

IV) Degradative organelles: peroxisome, lysosome and autophagy

V) Cell membrane and invaginations: the endosome

VI) Extracellular vesicles: classification, biogenesis and functions

VII) Extracellular vesicles: diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities

Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th edition) - Alberts B. et al.