OVERVIEW

The course aims to provide students with advanced knowledge of modern biotechnologies and their applications in the biomedical and industrial fields.

It is mainly carried out through lectures and practical laboratories

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

In teaching biomedical biotechnologies, students will learn more about the main production techniques of microorganisms (prokaryotes and eukaryotes) and genetically modified organisms (invertebrates and mammals) for basic research, for the creation of animal disease models and for the production of recombinant proteins for industrial or therapeutic purposes. The principles of gene therapy and modern cellular therapies as well as the principles of 3R applied to animal experimentation and new methods of research to replace animal experimentation will also be explored.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

In the teaching of "biomedical biotechnologies", students will deepen their knowledge of the main production techniques of genetically modified microorganisms and organisms with in-depth analysis of the scientific principles underlying the techniques of genetic transformation of the eukaryotic cell (gene targeting) also aimed at gene silencing at the cellular and animal (e.g. knock out mice). The main techniques to produce recombinant proteins in prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryotes (yeast, insect and mammalian cells) will also be illustrated. Furthermore, a part of the course will provide a more in-depth knowledge of the use of stem cells (embryonic, induced pluripotent and adult) in cell therapies with particular attention to the use of hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells and techniques in modern clinical protocols. of gene therapy and the main clinical protocols in use in the world. Finally, particular attention will be paid to understanding the principles of the 3Rs in animal experimentation, given the importance this has in biomedical research, and to respecting these principles (replacement, reduction refinement) in the experimental design that uses sentient animals. In compliance with these principles, biomedical experimentation techniques will also be illustrated with alternative methods to the most cutting-edge animal experimentation such as organoids, 3D cultures, and micro- and milli-fluidic systems. Furthermore, students will have the opportunity to personally delve into the aforementioned topics by preparing oral presentations at the end of the course on topics of their choice (illustration of international research articles or reviews) among those addressed during the lectures. Finally, the practical laboratories will allow the student to learn some experimental techniques frequently used in biomedical research investigations. The course will thus introduce students to all the main methods of biomedical and biotechnological research to enable future researchers to use the appropriate research means to solve experimental problems and create new study models for human pathologies.

PREREQUISITES

To address the contents of the course, knowledge of the basic concepts of genetics and molecular biology is necessary.

TEACHING METHODS

The topics of the course will be explored in depth through lectures with extensive discussion of the topics. Furthermore, Educational laboratories will be organized for the in-depth study of molecular and cellular analysis techniques typical of biomedical research.

If possible, a guided visit will be organized to a laboratory/research center/biotechnological company accompanied by the teacher.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

the following topics will be addressed in detail:

Production of genetically modified unicellular organisms, techniques and uses.

Production of recombinant proteins in bacteria, yeasts, insect and mammalian cells.

Transgenic animals, biotechnological production techniques from invertebrates (C. Elegans, D. melanogaster) to mammals (M. musculus).

Cellular therapies with adult stem cells: HSC and MSC

The discovery of iPSCs and their possible uses in the biomedical field

Gene therapy: introduction to the technique, viral and non-viral transfer methods, gene therapy protocols from 1990 to today

Modern genome editing techniques: meganucleases, zinc finger nucleases, TALE nucleases and the CRISPR/CAS9 system

The principles of the 3Rs: the limits of animal testing and the development of new alternative technologies more predictive than the animal model, the production of organoids, dynamic 3D cellular systems, micro-fluidics and milli-fluidics.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- T. STRACHAN, J. GOODSHIP. P. CHINNERT, Genetica & genomica, Zanichelli, 2016

- T. STRACHAN, A. P. READ, Genetica molecolare umana, Zanichelli, 2012

Selected articles and presentations, used during the lessons, will be available on AulaWeb at the end of each cycle of lessons dedicated to a topic of the program.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SONIA SCARFI' (President)

SILVIA VIAGGI (President)

EMANUELE BOSI

MARCO GIOVINE

MARINA POZZOLINI (Substitute)

LUIGI VEZZULLI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Second semester, first week of March

For details consult the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an interview with the student lasting approximately 20-30 minutes in which the knowledge acquired will be verified. Furthermore, during the classes the student will have to prepare an oral presentation of approximately 10-15 minutes (ppt or pdf) to be illustrated to the teacher, with in-depth analysis of one of the topics addressed in class, through the explanation of a scientific article or a review of free choice of the student.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The knowledge acquired will be assessed by asking the student to discuss and explore in depth with the teacher at least three topics covered during the course, demonstrating that they have understood the topic, the purpose and the biotechnological techniques underlying it. Furthermore, the student must demonstrate that they have acquired the ability to navigate the subject, the correct language skills and the appropriate terminology to discuss the teaching topics also through the oral presentation with the production of a Powerpoint of a topic chosen from those covered during the course.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Constant attendance at lessons is recommended