The course aims to provide students with knowledge on the theoretical bases and applications of biotechnology techniques in the fields of diagnostics, drugs and vaccine production, with particular reference to nucleic acids-based methods and the use of recombinant DNA technology.

1. nucleic acid amplification in molecular diagnostics
1.1 PCR-based methods 
1.2 non PCR-based methods
2. Detection of gene mutations 
2.1 gene mutation nomenclature 
2.2 methods for detection of gene mutations (hybridization-based methods, polymerization-based methods, cleavage methods)
3. DNA sequencing in molecular diagnostics
3.1 Pyrosequencing
3.2 Bisulfite DNA sequencing
4. DNA polymorphisms and human identification
4.1 types of polymorphisms
4.2 RFLP typing
4.3 STR typing
4.4 Y-STR
4.5 Engraftment testing
4.6 Mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms
5. Detection and identification of microorganisms 
5.1 sample collection, preparation and quality controls
5.2 targets of molecular-based tests
5.3 resistance to antimicrobial agents
5.4 typing methods
6. Molecular detection of inherited diseases
6.1 molecular diagnosis of single-gene disorders
6.2 single-gene disorders with nonclassical patterns of inheritance 
7. Diagnostic targets in molecular oncology 
7.1 mutations in solid tumors
7.2 microsatellite instability 
7.3 loss of heterozygosity
7.4 gene rearrangements in leukemia and lymphoma 
8. Chemical oligonucleotide synthesis 
9. DNA mutagenesis techniques
10.  Microbial production of therapeutic agents 
10.1 hormones
10.2 cytokines
10.3 blood proteins
10.4 enzymes
11. Monoclonal antibodies 
11.1 Monoclonal antibodies engineering (murine, chimeric, humanized and human antibodies, scFv)
11.2 therapeutic and diagnostic applications of monoclonal antibodies 
12. Production of pharmaceutical proteins by transgenic animals 
13. gene therapy
13.1 vectors 
13.2 Haematopietic stem cells applications in gene therapy

14. Biotech vaccines 
14.1 recombinant vaccines (vaccinia virus)
14.2 DNA vaccines

 

D1 - Knowledge and ability of comprehension. The student must demonstrate to have gained the knowledge inherent to the teaching program, with special reference to molecular diagnostics techniques and to techniques for DNA and cells manipulation aimed to the production of recombinant proteins.

D2 - Ability to apply knowledge and comprehension The student must be able to implement/use these knowledges in the field of biotechnology, to describe and/or hypothesize experimental approaches aimed to produce molecular diagnostics test and therapeutics.

D3 - Autonomy of judgement The student will be able to critically evaluate the methods/strategies used for diangostics or production of therapeutic agents.

D4 - Communication skills The student must acquire adequate scientific language skills by taking a participatory and critical attitude to the topics of the lectures.

D5 - Learning skill. The student will be able to build his own learning path, using learning materials fournished by the teacher or autonomously acquired.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Not planned

Teaching

Lectures

Course books

Buckingham L. "Molecular diagnostics. Fundamentals, methods and clinical applications". 2nd edition. 2011. Ed. F.A. DAVIS

Calabrò ML. "Compendio di biotecnologie farmaceutiche" 2008. Ed. Edises

Vegeto E, Maggi A, Minghetti. Farmaci biotecnologici -aspetti farmacologici e clinici- 2020 CEA casa editrice ambrosiana

Assessment

Oral examination (3-4 questions regarding different topics). During the examination the student must demonstrate: that it has acquired full mastery of the concepts covered during the course; to be able to make logical connections between the techniques learned and their biotechnological applications; to be able to illustrate the key concepts in a limited time and using appropriate scientific language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Course books

Buckingham L. "Molecular diagnostics. Fundamentals, methods and clinical applications". 2nd edition. 2011. Ed. F.A. DAVIS

Calabrò ML. "Compendio di biotecnologie farmaceutiche" 2008. Ed. Edises

Vegeto E, Maggi A, Minghetti. Farmaci biotecnologici -aspetti farmacologici e clinici- 2020 CEA casa editrice ambrosiana

The teaching material presented during the lessons is available on the Moodle platform blended.uniurb.it 

Assessment

Oral examination (3-4 questions regarding different topics). During the examination the student must demonstrate: that it has acquired full mastery of the concepts covered during the course; to be able to make logical connections between the techniques learned and their biotechnological applications; to be able to illustrate the key concepts in a limited time and using appropriate scientific language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.