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ANIMAL MODELS FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY

CODE 95317
ACADEMIC YEAR 2022/2023
CREDITS
  • 6 cfu during the 2nd year of 10598 MEDICAL-PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY(LM-9) - GENOVA
  • SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR BIO/06
    LANGUAGE English
    TEACHING LOCATION
  • GENOVA
  • SEMESTER 1° Semester
    TEACHING MATERIALS AULAWEB

    OVERVIEW

    The aim of the course is to provide students with the essential information necessaries to carry out experiments on laboratory animals. Particularly, wide information on different animal models and their usefulness are given. Additionally, all necessary indications on law dispositions about animal research and on animal welfare are specified.

    AIMS AND CONTENT

    LEARNING OUTCOMES

    The aim of the course is to provide students with the essential informations necessaries to carry out experiments on laboratory animals. Particularly, wide information on different animal models and their usefulness are given. Additionally, all necessary indications on law dispositions about animal research and on animal welfare are specified. Furthermore, the students will learn all methodologies currently in use to create mutant animals, including new scientific approaches. Specific examples are illustrated.

    AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

    • AIMS

    Lessons aim to introduce students to the basic and most relevant aspects of preclinical and experimental research by means of specific animal models in biotechnology. Furthermore, the students will learn all methodologies currently in use to create mutant animals, including new scientific approaches. Specific examples will be illustrated and discussed.

    • LEARNING OUTCOMES (DETAILED)

    Students are required to retain knowledge of molecular and functional mechanisms that allow the design and creation of animal models for experimental research. Students must also know, comprehend and be able to compare the different models, their phenotypic expression and the relevance such models may offer; they will also be required to critically evaluate the possible effects of alterations of main cellular functions and their biological consequences. Students will also be expected to retain and use the proper scientific terminology and to be aware of all the necessary requirements and national and international law dispositions to perform animal research in biotech research.

    PREREQUISITES

    Students are required to retain previous knowledge on relevant structural and functional aspects in cell and molecular biology, with particular attention towards the regulation and modulation of gene expression. Good level of English is required as well to actively contribute to discussion and interaction  during classes and the final exam.

    TEACHING METHODS

    Classes will be managed as frontal lectures with Power Point presentations; during classes, students will be engaged in active discussion, via examples and specific exercises. If necessary, lessons may be provided on-line, through specific platforms and pre-arrangements made between the teacher, the students and the different Schools in the region. Students can take advantage of online material (lectures power point notes) available on the AulaWeb website; Lecturer(s) can be reached via email to arrange specific one-to-one meeting for further assistance/explanation as needed

    SYLLABUS/CONTENT

    Introduction to animal research principles for experimental and preclinical research; invertebrate models, zebrafish and amphibians; phenotyping; small and big mammalian models for preclinical research and specific techniques for in vivo disease-mimicking; national and international regulation for animal research: the “3Rs Principle” and the authorization process required to perform animal research; design and implementation of transgenic animal models for therapeutic approaches and behavioral disease.

    RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

    Power point notes of class lectures are available for students to be downloaded from AulaWeb. Files are strictly for personal use only; files must not be shared on social media, posted on any internet website or put on any sharing platform; files must not be printed out for sale or photocopied.

    TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

    Exam Board

    SVEVA BOLLINI (President)

    LETIZIA ZULLO (President)

    LAURA CANCEDDA

    LESSONS

    LESSONS START

    Lessons will start according to the calendar as communicated to students by the secretary of the Master Degree in Medical-Pharmaceutical Biotechnology.

    Class schedule

    All class schedules are posted on the EasyAcademy portal.

    EXAMS

    EXAM DESCRIPTION

    The exam is an interview with the Lecturer(s). Questions will span through all main items/topics presented during the course. Different types of questions will be used, such as correlation questions. The Lecturer(s) will start critical discussion with the student by asking 2-3 questions related to the main relevant topics discussed in class in order to evaluate the student knowledge and their capacity to master the most important aspects presented.

    ASSESSMENT METHODS

    The exam aims to verify the students’ comprehension on the different animal models and the specific techniques used to generate them as discussed during class. The exam aims to assess the student’s knowledge of the main relevance of such models, along the current law dispositions on animal research. The students’ ability to memorize and discuss specific terms/statements shall be evaluated, primarily, by correlation questions.

    Exam schedule

    Date Time Location Type Notes
    23/01/2023 14:00 GENOVA Orale
    06/02/2023 14:00 GENOVA Orale
    20/02/2023 14:00 GENOVA Orale
    19/06/2023 14:00 GENOVA Orale
    03/07/2023 14:00 GENOVA Orale
    17/07/2023 14:00 GENOVA Orale
    18/09/2023 14:00 GENOVA Orale

    FURTHER INFORMATION

    Registration for the exams is strictly limited to the on-line registration system. No students will be allowed to take the exam if not enrolled or if enrolled by any other means. In case students experience troubles/inconveniences while enrolling, they are strongly encouraged to contact the on-line student service IN ADVANCE to the enrolment deadline.

    Topics covered during lessons are summarized by the power-point presentations available on the AulaWeb page. Additional material can be presented at the end of the front lesson and made available through AulaWeb.