Italian

Knowledge of Biological Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics and
Biochemistry of Nutrition is required.

The course is
organized into lecture-style lessons (4 CFU, 32 hours) and exercises/seminars (2 CFU,
16 hours) that focus on the understanding and discussion of the scientific literature. Handouts of the lectures
and scientific papers in this field are periodically loaded on the Learn
platform.

Students will acquire knowledge and understanding on the relationship between
nutrients and genes at the molecular level by analyzing the molecular mechanisms
through which nutrients can modulate gene expression at the different
levels thus affecting human health. Furthermore, they will gain knowledge and understand the impact that diet has on one’s health according to the individual’s genetic makeup.

Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to the understanding and
critical evaluation of data in the scientific literature and to understand the
effects of different nutrients on gene expression and hence on well-being, along with the mechanisms involved. In addition, they will be able to understand the importance of personalized diets based on individual genetic variability.

The experience gained during class/group discussions of the
experimental data from the literature will improve student’s ability to
critically evaluate scientific data. Furthermore, small group
discussions will facilitate coordination and
communication abilities.

Basic concepts of research in the field of nutrigenomics.
The different levels of regulation of gene expression by micro- and
macro-nutrients.
Effect of nutrients on transcription: epigenetic modifications and
transcription factors.
Nuclear receptors that perceive nutrients and mechanisms regulating
cellular homeostasis.
One-carbon (folate) metabolism pathway and effect of nutrients and diet
on DNA methylation.
Link between Acetyl-CoA and chromatin signaling.
Nutrigenomics and diseases (cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity).
Nutrigenomics, microbiota and inflammatory diseases.

Content (lectures 4 CFU, 32 hours):
Basic concepts of research in the field of nutrigenomics.
The different levels of regulation of gene expression by micro- and
macro-nutrients.
Effect of nutrients on transcription: epigenetic modifications and
transcription factors.
Nuclear receptors that perceive nutrients and mechanisms regulating
cellular homeostasis.
One-carbon (folate) metabolism pathway and effect of nutrients and diet
on DNA methylation.
Link between Acetyl-CoA and chromatin signaling.
Nutrigenomics and diseases (cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity).
Nutrigenomics, microbiota and inflammatory diseases.
Basic concepts in the field of nutrigenetics.
Introduction to nutrigenetics: individual genetic variability, the new concept of personalized nutrition.
Ancestral adaptations to new nutritional environments: evolution of diet in primates, nutritional relativism, founder effect and incomplete adaptations.
Mechanisms of evolutionary adaptation in the metabolism of nutrients: vitamins, carbohydrates, lipids and alcohol.
Mechanisms of evolutionary adaptation and intolerances: lactose and gluten.
The genetics of the senses: how genetics influences the subjectivity of taste.
The role of nutrigenetics in reproduction, in the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, asthma and allergies.
The role of nutrigenetics in lipid metabolism, appetite regulation and obesity.
Nutrigenetics in practice: the difference between genotyping and sequencing and interpretation of results.

The knowledge acquired will be evaluated through a written exam consisting of 10 multiple choice questions, followed by 4 open questions. The mark obtained in the written exam can be increased by a maximum of 2 points following a brief oral exam (optional).

The questions are aimed at verifying the level of knowledge acquired by
the students on the topics covered during the course.

The level of knowledge acquired by the students is evaluated with a mark
between 0 and 30. In order to pass the exam the final mark must be
between 18 and 30. The highest possible mark is 30/30 cum laude.

For students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) who have correctly requested support to take the specific exam at the University's Disabilità/DSA Info Point. The exam procedures will be adapted in accordance with the provisions of the University guidelines.
(https://www.univpm.it/Entra/Accoglienza_diversamente_abili )

The final grade is awarded by adding the grade obtained in the quiz (max 10 points) with that of the open answers (max 20 points). For those who decide to take the oral exam which is optional, the mark of the oral exam (max 2 points) will be added to that of the written exam. The grade will be between 0 and 30. For obtaining the honours (cum laude), the grade of the written exam has to reach a value between 29 and 30, upon which the student can request to take the oral exam (optional). If the answers to the oral questions are responded correctly, then the two points will be awarded for obtaining the honours.

Biologia molecolare del gene. J.D. Watson, T.A. Baker, S.P. Bell, A. Gann,
M. Levine, R. Losick. Casa Editrice Zanichelli. VII edizione. 2015.
Nutrigenomics. Carsten Carlberg, Stine Marie Ulven, Ferdinand Molnár. Springer. 2016
Principles of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics: Fundamentals of Individualized Nutrition. Raffaele DE Caterina, J. Alfredo Martinez and Martin Kohlmeier. 2019. Academic Press.
Early Life Origins of Ageing and Longevity. Alexander Vaiserman. Springer Link. 2019.
Nutrigenetics. Applying the Science of Personal Nutrition. Kohlmeier M. (2013)

In addition, review articles from specialized journals on specific topics are
provided during the course.

The course is not delivered in E-learning mode.