Animal Cell Biotechnology

Definition and characteristics of different types of cell cultures. Explants, primary and immortalized cell cultures. Suspension and adherent cell cultures. Characterization of cultured cells, expression of specific markers of differentiated cells. Cell Cultures for toxicity tests, cell transplantation. Cell cloning.
Introduction of exogenous DNA into mammalian cells: cloning, characteristics of the different vectors used for eukaryotic cells. Reporter systems. Different methods of transfections. Stable and transient transfection. Cell Transduction.
Subcellular localization of macromolecules: cell fractioning and immunofluorescence. Use and production of mono-and polyclonal antibodies: somatic hybridization.
GFP and its application in cell culture: subcellular localization of proteins, analysis of protein-protein interactions (FRET), analysis of the dynamics of protein (FRAP), photoactivable GFP.
Stem cells (embryonic and adult) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS): features and applications.
Animal models: mouse and zebrafish.
Transgenic mice: mouse knock-in, knock-out mice, conditional knock-out mice.


Reference Material
Professor web-site on Ariel; Course books: to be defined.
Prerequisites and examination procedures
General and cellular biology. Molecular Biology
Oral examination to assess the knowledge gained and the ability of the student to solve biological problems on the basis of the topics covered in the course.
Teaching Methods
Attendance: mandatory.
Language
Italian