Biotechnology 1 and Biotechnology 2
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The educational objective of the course is to develop knowledge related to biotechnologies. In particular, ensure that students learn how recombinant DNA technology is employed to make useful products (including drugs), obtain results for scientific research, contribute to the determination of toxic effects of environmental origin and their elimination. This course provides detailed information on the role of proteins in cells and tissues, the main methods for the study of proteins and how this knowledge is used to obtain biotechnological products and services.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student should be able to know/ identify the role of biotechnologies in modern production processes, in industry and agriculture, in the treatment of toxic effects of environmental origin. Moreover, the student should to be able to apply the competences in biotechnologies acquired to the field of production processes and to the prevention / treatment of environmental toxicity.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Biological systems in biotechnologies (hosts and vectors) - Recombinant DNA techniques, Use of restriction enzymes, Transformation, DNA analysis
· Main methods of study of DNA - Creation and screening of a library, Cloning, sequencing, PCR, Southern blotting
· Main methods of study of DNA - Point mutations, transfections, diagnostic systems applied to DNA
· Epigenetic mechanisms in the control of transcription - Methylation DNA - chromatin structure
· Main methods of study of mRNA - Northern Analysis; RNase protection assay; In situ hybridization; reporter genes
· Main methods of study of mRNA - Quantitative PCR; Real time PCR; Differential display PCR; Microarrays
· Regulation of transcription - Transcription factors
· Antisense oligonucleotides; Silencing RNA; Viral vectors-Gene therapy
· Plant Genetic engineering of plants - Methodologies
· Plant Genetic engineering of plants - Applications
· Transgenic animals - Transgenic animals for research - Transgenic animals for drug production
· Biotechnologies: evolution and applications - DNA, RNA and protein synthesis
· Introduction to the study of proteins - Amino acids - Peptide bond - Structure of proteins
· Introduction to the study of proteins - Proteins synthesis
· Introduction to the study of proteins - Proteins in cellular compartments
· Introduction to the study of proteinss - Sorting of proteins in organelles - Vesicular transport
· Methods for the study of proteins - Microscopy-Fluorescence microscopy-Confocal microscopy-Flow cytofluorimetry
· Methods for the study of proteins - Centrifugation-Chromatography-Electrophoresis-Western Blotting-ELISA-Antibodies
· Methods for the study of proteins - Proteomics
· Production of recombinant proteins - Recombinant proteins in prokaryotes and eukaryotes-fusion proteins
· Production and use of biotechnological compounds - Microbial production of therapeutic agents-recombinant vaccines
· Production and use of biotechnological compounds - Production of low molecular weight compounds - Regulation of Biotechnologies
· Main methods of study of DNA - Creation and screening of a library, Cloning, sequencing, PCR, Southern blotting
· Main methods of study of DNA - Point mutations, transfections, diagnostic systems applied to DNA
· Epigenetic mechanisms in the control of transcription - Methylation DNA - chromatin structure
· Main methods of study of mRNA - Northern Analysis; RNase protection assay; In situ hybridization; reporter genes
· Main methods of study of mRNA - Quantitative PCR; Real time PCR; Differential display PCR; Microarrays
· Regulation of transcription - Transcription factors
· Antisense oligonucleotides; Silencing RNA; Viral vectors-Gene therapy
· Plant Genetic engineering of plants - Methodologies
· Plant Genetic engineering of plants - Applications
· Transgenic animals - Transgenic animals for research - Transgenic animals for drug production
· Biotechnologies: evolution and applications - DNA, RNA and protein synthesis
· Introduction to the study of proteins - Amino acids - Peptide bond - Structure of proteins
· Introduction to the study of proteins - Proteins synthesis
· Introduction to the study of proteins - Proteins in cellular compartments
· Introduction to the study of proteinss - Sorting of proteins in organelles - Vesicular transport
· Methods for the study of proteins - Microscopy-Fluorescence microscopy-Confocal microscopy-Flow cytofluorimetry
· Methods for the study of proteins - Centrifugation-Chromatography-Electrophoresis-Western Blotting-ELISA-Antibodies
· Methods for the study of proteins - Proteomics
· Production of recombinant proteins - Recombinant proteins in prokaryotes and eukaryotes-fusion proteins
· Production and use of biotechnological compounds - Microbial production of therapeutic agents-recombinant vaccines
· Production and use of biotechnological compounds - Production of low molecular weight compounds - Regulation of Biotechnologies
Prerequisites for admission
Prerequisites for previous exams:
Pharmacology 1 and Pharmacology 2
Biochemistry
Pharmacology 1 and Pharmacology 2
Biochemistry
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons with power point projection
Teaching Resources
Pdf with all material presented in the lessons (from the Ariel website)
· Text (recommended): Glick and Pasternak. Molecular biotechnology (Zanichelli)
· Text (optional): Alberts et al. The essential molecular biology of the cell (Zanichelli)
· Text (recommended): Glick and Pasternak. Molecular biotechnology (Zanichelli)
· Text (optional): Alberts et al. The essential molecular biology of the cell (Zanichelli)
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written test consisting of 40 questions with multiple answers
Biotechnology 1
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY - University credits: 4
Lessons: 32 hours
Biotechnology 2
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY - University credits: 4
Lessons: 32 hours