IDENTIFYING DATA 2017_18
Subject (*) EPIGENETICS Code 19204221
Study programme
Bachelor's Degree in Biotechnology (2009)
Cycle 1st
Descriptors Credits Type Year Period
3 Optional 1Q
Language
Català
Department Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Coordinator
ROMEU FIGUEROLA, ANTONIO RAMÓN
E-mail antoni.romeu@urv.cat
Lecturers
ROMEU FIGUEROLA, ANTONIO RAMÓN
Web
General description and relevant information Objective of epigenetics: Study of gene expression patterns (and the associated phenotype) stable and inheritable, dependent on the structure of chromatin and independent of changes in the DNA sequence. The word epigenetics comes from the ancient Greek epi-mas, above, besides, exterior a- and genetic-genitiu- or genesis-origin-. While genetics is the science of genes, the inheritance and diversity of living organisms based on variations in the nucleotide sequence of DNA (the material basis of genes), epigenetics is the study of inheritable changes in patterns of expression of the genes - and of the cellular phenotypes associated with these expression patterns - caused by mechanisms that do not imply variations in the nucleotide sequence in the DNA. Examples of epigenetic mechanisms are DNA methylation and the modification of histones, nucleosomes, which can be maintained through cell divisions throughout the life of an organism and can even last several generations. An example of an epigenetic phenomenon is the process of cellular differentiation during embryonic development: from a zygote, first totipotent stem cells originate, which then differentiate into the different pluripotent cell lines of the embryo, which in turn will become the different cells completely differentiated in the adult organism. Multiple environmental factors, such as the nutrition of the mother, can affect the development of the embryo and the adult organism through epigenetic mechanisms.

Competences
Type A Code Competences Specific
Type B Code Competences Transversal
Type C Code Competences Nuclear

Learning outcomes
Type A Code Learning outcomes
Type B Code Learning outcomes
Type C Code Learning outcomes

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
1. Introduction Field of study of epigenetics:
stable and heritable gene expression patterns, and their associated phenotypes, dependent on the structure of chromatin and independent of changes in the DNA sequence.

Examples of epigenetic phenomena:
- Sacharomyces cerevisiae: mating-type switching.
- Bees queens, males and workers.
- Reptiles and fish: plasticity in the determination of sex.
- Mammals: inactivation of chromosome X.
2. Epigenetic mechanisms. • Methylation of the DNA.
• Modifications of histones.
• Remodeling of chromatin dependent on ATP.
• Variants of histones and occupation of the nucleosome.
• Effect proteins that read the histone marks.
• Small non-coding RNAs: miRNA, siRNA, pyRNA.
• Methylation of the RNA.
• Prions.
3. Epigenetics of embryonic development and cell differentiation. • Polycomb and Trithorax proteins
• Caenorhabditis elegans
• Drosophila melanogaster
• Mammals: specification of cell destiny, cell lineages and differentiation of tissues
• Epigenetic profile of Embrionary Stem Cell and nuclear reprogramming.
4. Sexual determination and gene dosage compensation. • Caenorhabditis elegans
• Drosophila melanogaster
• Pisces
• Reptiles
• Mammals, inactivation of the X chromosome.
5. Genomic imprint and transgeneral epigenetics in mammals • Epigenetic inheritance through meiosis.
• Reprogramming of epigenetic marks in germinal lines.
• Maternal and father epigenetic inheritance.
• Differential Methylation of Fingerprint Control Regions.
• Hypothesis of the genetic conflict.
• Relevance of epigenetic inheritance in diseases.
• Contribution of transgenerational epigenetics to the evolution of species.
6. Epigenetic effects dependent on Nutrition • Bees and ants.
• Mammals: epigenetic effects of the diet and its components in obesity and diabetes.
• Mammals: Effects of nutrition and maternal health on epigenetic marks, development and health of children.
7. Epigenetics and cancer. • Genetic and epigenetic injuries in cancer.
• Anomalous methods of DNA methylation and histone variants in cancer.
• Genetic alterations in genes of histone modifying enzymes.
• Role of microRNAs in cancer.
• Telomeres and stability of chromosomes in cancer.
8. Epigenetic memory in plants. • Pluripotency of plant cells.
• Regulation of responses to low temperatures for varnishing and acclimatization to cold.
9. Discussion topics: * Epigenetics in Assisted Reproduction.
* Epigenetics in Regenerative Medicine.
* Epigenetics in Cloning.
* Epigenetics and transgenic foods.
* Epigenetics in hybrid species: mules and ligands.

Planning
Methodologies  ::  Tests
  Competences (*) Class hours
Hours outside the classroom
(**) Total hours
Introductory activities
1 0 1
Lecture
A2
A4
18 18 36
Personal tuition
1 0 1
 
Mixed tests
A4
A7
12 25 37
 
(*) On e-learning, hours of virtual attendance of the teacher.
(**) The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.

Methodologies
Methodologies
  Description
Introductory activities Activities aimed at taking contact and collecting information from the students and presenting the subject.
Lecture Exposition of the subject content.
Personal tuition Time that the teacher has reserved to solve student's queries and doubts.


Personalized attention
Description
The teacher answers and solves doubts of the students in class or in the office by a previous appointment.

Assessment
Methodologies Competences Description Weight        
Mixed tests
A4
A7
Tests that combine development questions and short objective questions.
Objective multiple-choice and/or presentations of written and/or oral works.
100%
Others  
 
Other comments and second exam session

It is necessary to obtain a 4/10 in each assessment test to pass the subject.

Second call: each test can be recovered in second call independently of the other tests.

During the evaluation tests, mobile phones, tablets and other devices that are not expressly authorized for the test, must be turned off and out of sight. The demonstrable fraudulent realization of some evaluation activity of a subject both in material and virtual and electronic support entails the student's failure mark of this evaluation activity. Regardless of this, given the seriousness of the events, the center may propose the initiation of a disciplinary file, which will be opened by resolution of the rector.


Sources of information

Basic Trygve Tollefsbol (Editor) , Handbook of Epigenetics: The New Molecular and Medical Genetics , 1, 2010
Craig and Wong (Editors), Epigenetics: A Reference Manual, 1, 2011
Robert A. Meyers (Editor), Epigenetic Regulation and Epigenomics, 1, 2012
Nilanjana Maulik, Gautam Maulik (Editors), Nutrition, Epigenetic Mechanisms, and Human Disease, 1, 2010
Sang-Woon Choi and Simonetta Friso (Editors) , Nutrients in Epigenetics, 1, 2009
Mihai D. Niculescu and Paul Haggarty (Editors), Nutrition in Epigenetics, 1, 2011
C. David Allis, Thomas Jenuwein, Danny Reinberg (Editors), Epigenetics, 1, 2008
Jorg Tost (Editor) , Epigenetics, 1, 2008

Complementary The University of Utah, http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/epigenetics/, ,
Frank Grosveld and Steven Henikoff (Editors), EPIGENETICS AND CHROMATIN, e-journal, http://www.epigeneticsandchromatin.com/, mensual, Oct 2008 - present
Trygve Tollefsbol (Editor), Cancer Epigenetics, 1, 2009
Scott F. Gilbert and David Epel, ECOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY. Integrating Epigenetics, Medicine and Evolution. , 1, 2009
, EPIGENOMICS, e-journal, mensual, Oct 2009 (Vol. 1, no. 1) - present (1 any de reta
USA National Center for Biotechnology Information, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/epigenomics, ,

Recommendations


Subjects that it is recommended to have taken before
GENETICS/19204007
GENE EXPRESSION AND REPLICATION/19204102
MOLECULAR GENETICS/19204113
(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.