Synthetic Biology
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
To provide the students with an overview of the recently developed molecular tools used for the in vivo monitoring of cellular events and/or perturbation of biological systems.
Expected learning outcomes
Undefined
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
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary branch of biology, combining biotechnology, molecular biology and biophysics, and is in many ways related to genetic engineering. It can be defined as design and construction of biological devices and biological systems for useful purposes. In particular, the purpose of synthetic biology is the design and fabrication of biological components and systems that do not already exist in the natural world and the re-design and fabrication of existing biological systems.
This course focuses on two aspects of synthetic biology: synthesis and engineering tools and their applications.
Part 1: We will explore how cellular regulation- transcriptional, translational, post-translational and epigenetic- can be used to engineer cells to accomplish well-defined goals.
· Biobricks and IGEM
· The repressilator
· Synthetic bacterial chromosome- Syn3.1
· Synthetic yeast chromosomes for modular metabolic engineering and multicellular phenotypes
· Genomic engineering using transposable elements in vertebrates
· Metabolic prostheses- synthetic biology- inspired treatment strategies for metabolic disorders
· Protein conformational changes in health and disease
Part 2: Protein engineering as an enabling tool in Synthetic Biology:
· Rational design
· Directed evolution
· Expanding the chemistry of life: cell free protein synthesis and nonnatural amino acids
Engineering of membrane proteins that responds to physical stimuli and their applications:
· Light-gated channels and pumps for optogenetics
· Mechanoreceptors for mechanosensing biology
· Temperature- and magnetic field-gated channels for in vivo neurobiology
Introduction to the genetically encoded nanosensors
· Ratiometric and intensimetric nanosensors
· Design and improvement of nanosensor. Rational and empirical design
· In vivo use of nanosensors
This course focuses on two aspects of synthetic biology: synthesis and engineering tools and their applications.
Part 1: We will explore how cellular regulation- transcriptional, translational, post-translational and epigenetic- can be used to engineer cells to accomplish well-defined goals.
· Biobricks and IGEM
· The repressilator
· Synthetic bacterial chromosome- Syn3.1
· Synthetic yeast chromosomes for modular metabolic engineering and multicellular phenotypes
· Genomic engineering using transposable elements in vertebrates
· Metabolic prostheses- synthetic biology- inspired treatment strategies for metabolic disorders
· Protein conformational changes in health and disease
Part 2: Protein engineering as an enabling tool in Synthetic Biology:
· Rational design
· Directed evolution
· Expanding the chemistry of life: cell free protein synthesis and nonnatural amino acids
Engineering of membrane proteins that responds to physical stimuli and their applications:
· Light-gated channels and pumps for optogenetics
· Mechanoreceptors for mechanosensing biology
· Temperature- and magnetic field-gated channels for in vivo neurobiology
Introduction to the genetically encoded nanosensors
· Ratiometric and intensimetric nanosensors
· Design and improvement of nanosensor. Rational and empirical design
· In vivo use of nanosensors
Prerequisites for admission
Good knowledge of molecular and cellular biology of animals and plants, biochemistry and the principles of biophysics.
Teaching methods
PowerPoint-assisted lectures. It is strongly recommended that the students attend lectures. Scientific papers will be assigned papers to small student discussion groups. All materials will be made available through the course Ariel website.
Teaching Resources
A short-list of Scientific review papers on relevant topics will be made provided throughout the course, on the Ariel web-page.
The referred book is the following: Synthetic Biology — A Primer. https://doi.org/10.1142/p837 | July 2012. Edited By: Paul S Freemont (Imperial College, UK) and Richard I Kitney (Imperial College, UK).
The referred book is the following: Synthetic Biology — A Primer. https://doi.org/10.1142/p837 | July 2012. Edited By: Paul S Freemont (Imperial College, UK) and Richard I Kitney (Imperial College, UK).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral presentation of scientific papers and discussion of the results in the context of the topics addressed in the course. For each part of the two part of the program, students will have to present a scientific paper selected from those provided by the teachers. The presentation will focus on the critical analysis of the paper, with particular attention to the methodologies used. The presentation will be followed by a discussion with the teachers focused on both the paper (80% of finale score) and on the related topics (20% of the final score) presented during the course. The final grade will represent the students' joint evaluation by both teachers.
BIO/04 - PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY
BIO/11 - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
BIO/18 - GENETICS
BIO/19 - MICROBIOLOGY
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY
BIO/11 - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
BIO/18 - GENETICS
BIO/19 - MICROBIOLOGY
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Guerrini Luisa Francesca Isotta, Saponaro Andrea Cosimo
Shifts:
Professor(s)
Reception:
by appointment
via Balzaretti 9, or on MS Teams