...

At the end of the course students should have acquired knowledge on basic and emerging mechanisms that govern the eukaryotic cell, at the molecular, cellular and genetic level, by using model microorganisms, basically fungi. They should also familiarize with the handling of microorganisms and especially model fungi, the rationale of genetic engineering and genetic screens, as well as, with modern cell biology methodologies. Above all students are expected to understand the importance of the mechanisms of molecular evolution, the logic of these mechanisms, the rational analysis of scientific phenomena, and basically realize that basic research, beyond its possible anthropocentric utility, concerns primary human curiosity for understanding life, and that dong original science is part of human culture, identity and heritage, equally important to the arts.

Introduction (4 hours): Microorganisms and Microbiology. Elemental biochemistry and molecular biology of microbial cells - Evolution of microorganisms and their position in the living world. Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Microbial cell - Basic groups of model microorganisms in basic research. Differentiation and regulation of gene expression in microorganisms.

Basic research on standard eukaryotic microbial systems (10 hours): Fungi as standard genetic and molecular systems of basic biological research - The model system of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Gene expression, cell cycle, mating types - The model system of Aspergillus nidulans - Classic and Reverse Genetics, Targeted Gene Replacement, Plasmids, Gene Expression, Two-Hybrid System, Genomic Organization - From microbial genetics to genetic engineering - Other model genetic systems (Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Ustilago maydis, Dictiostylium, C. elegans, etc.) - The need for new model systems

Cell Microbiology (8 hours): Transmembrane proteins, cellular communication and homeostasis - The specific role of the cell membrane - Transporters, channels, receptors, sensors - The GFP revolution and the new cell microbiology - Structure-function relationships. The role of membrane lipids - Expression, co-translational folding, traffic, targeting, and controlled degradation of transmembrane proteins - Specific chaperone-mediated autophagy of transmembrane proteins and endocytosis.

In silico analyzes of genes, proteins and genomes (4 hours): How to read and profit from Genome annotations - Phylogenetic analysis of proteins - Structural epistasis and molecular evolution of proteins. The case of transmembrane proteins - Ancestral Protein Resurrection

Presentations of selected scientific articles (4 hours)

1. Basic principles of phenotype analysis in model fungi - 2. Selection of suppressive mutations in Aspergillus nidulans - 3. Molecular analysis of mutant strains of Aspergillus nidulans - 4. In vivo Fluorescence microscopy - a study of protein dynamics - 5. In silico protein sequencing

Prerequisites for the student to choose and attend the course: Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology.

The course is offered to Erasmus students: Teaching in Greek language - Exams in English language.

The evaluation process is carried out in Greek language (there is the possibility in English for Erasmus students), with a final examination of the whole course that includes: a) Multiple choice questionnaires, b) Short-answer questions, c) Open-ended questions, d) Problem solving, Written work, e) Essay/report, f) Oral examination, g) Public presentation, h) Laboratory work.

Students are required to: a) Keep a workbook for the laboratory exercises where the experimental procedures and their results are recorded, b) Present scientific seminars, c) Read scientific books and articles that are suggested to them, d) Come to the lectures.

Possible 1-2 month parallel training for exceling student in the Laboratory of Prof. G. Diallinas