OVERVIEW

Molecular Pharming is a biotechnology sector concerned with the production of recombinant drugs, functional proteins, enzymes of industrial interest, vaccines and active secondary metabolites in plant systems. This approach represents a huge potential for the cost-effective, rapid, scalable and safe production of large quantities of biologically active molecules for use as biopharmaceuticals, veterinary products, food supplements.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Plants as source of active compounds. GMO and production of biological activity compounds. Characteristics of the main expression systems for the production of heterologous proteins in microorganisms, animals and plants. Stable and transient genetic transformation; Nuclear transformation; Plastidic transformation. Optimization of expression of heterologous proteins in plant systems. PGM recombinant drugs. Production of vaccines in plant systems. Plants as bioreactors for the production of active molecules. Molecular pharming and molecular farming.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

TRAINING OBJECTIVES

Molecular Pharming contributes to the achievement of the educational objectives of the course of studies in Biotechnology, providing up-to-date knowledge regarding the biotechnological production of plant-based bioactive metabolites, important for their applications in the pharmaceutical sector.

The teaching aims to deepen the biochemical processes of the main metabolic pathways leading to the formation of secondary metabolites of therapeutic interest. The teaching also aims to provide basic knowledge for understanding the issues associated with large-scale production of active compounds obtained by biotechnological processes.

EXPECTED RESULTS

The aim of teaching is to acquire knowledge about:

•  The main classes of secondary metabolites in plants and their biological role.
•  Molecular, chemical and biochemical aspects of the production of active plant-based metabolites
•  The main secondary plant-derived metabolites used in therapeutic applications and produced by biotechnological processes.
•  The processes used for the production of secondary metabolites in in vitro cultures of plant cells and tissues.
•  Biotechnological processes used to produce heterologous proteins in plant systems
•  The potential of plant-based biotechnological systems in the production of vaccines and heterologous therapeutic proteins.

TEACHING METHODS

24 hours of lectures + 16 hours of laboratory activity. Visits to institutes carrying out research and development on topics related to the use of plants for the production of active compounds are also planned. The visits are a useful tool for further learning about the topics covered in the course and offer students the opportunity to get in touch with industry sectors aimed at developing molecular pharming.

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, should contact the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department before class begins, in order to liaise and arrange the specific teaching methods so that the learning aims and outcomes may be met.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Plants as active compound resources
• Secondary metabolites in the plant kingdom: biological role, biosynthesis, commercial interest
• Characteristics of plant cell
• In vitro culture for the production of secondary metabolites: cell cultures, callus cultures, differentiated tissue cultures, bioreactors
• Characteristics of the main expression systems for the production of heterologous proteins: micro-organisms, animals and plants
• Genetic transformation techniques in plants: transformation with agrobacteria, particle gun, virus
• Stable transformation and transient transformation
• Risks and benefits of transgenic plants
• Optimization of the expression of heterologous proteins in plant systems
• Heterologous proteins of therapeutic interest produced in transgenic plants
• Production of vaccines in plant systems
• Molecular markers for the monitoring of processed plants
• Laboratory exercises aimed at the preparation of in vitro cultures from differentiated tissues of plants for the production of callus

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All slides used during the lessons and other teaching materials will be sent to students In general, the notes taken during the classes and the material delivered are sufficient for the preparation of the exam. The book below is suggested as a reference text, but students can also use other university-level texts.  

Buchanan - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Plants.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CHIARA GENTILI (President)

MARIA ANGELA MIELE (President)

TULLIO FLORIO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

II semester, in March.

Class schedule

MOLECULAR PHARMING

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The knowledge acquired will be tested by oral test. For the oral test, students will also present a scientific paper published in international journals on topics related to the program.

Three exam appeals will be available for the winter session and three for the summer session

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Details on the procedure of the exam and the topics to be developed will be provided during the lessons.

The oral examination will focus on the topics covered during the lectures. The presentation of a recently published scientific article in international scientific journals relating to the topics covered during the lectures will also be considered.

The correct use of scientific language, logical and synthetic skills, ability to link up and personal rework will be taken into account for the assessment of competencies