Advanced Course in Biotechnology and Pharmacology
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The two modules of course have well-defined objectives:
1. The module of Practical course on Biotechnology and Pharmacology aims to provide the student with the necessary skills to consolidate knowledge on the availability, purpose and possibility of using of biotechnological tools for the study of new drug targets and their preclinical validation
2. The module of Pharmacogenomics will provide the student the knowledge regarding genetic studies aimed at improving the analysis of the activity and adverse reactions of novel molecules with potential therapeutic activity. The practical exercises provide the student the bases to analyze the impact of genetic polymorphisms on pharmacological response and the knowledge on molecular approaches to validate the functional effect of polymorphisms.
1. The module of Practical course on Biotechnology and Pharmacology aims to provide the student with the necessary skills to consolidate knowledge on the availability, purpose and possibility of using of biotechnological tools for the study of new drug targets and their preclinical validation
2. The module of Pharmacogenomics will provide the student the knowledge regarding genetic studies aimed at improving the analysis of the activity and adverse reactions of novel molecules with potential therapeutic activity. The practical exercises provide the student the bases to analyze the impact of genetic polymorphisms on pharmacological response and the knowledge on molecular approaches to validate the functional effect of polymorphisms.
Expected learning outcomes
Module of "Practical course on Biotechnology and Pharmacology": knowledge of the availability, purpose and possibility of using advanced biotechnologies in the study of new drug targets and their preclinical validation
Module of "Pharmacogenomics": knowledge of the impact of genetic interindividual variability (in particular genetic polymorphisms) on the pharmacological response. Knowledge of some methods used in pharmacogenomics and examples of applications. Ability to critically evaluate data included in scientific papers and to apply the acquired knowledge to understand specific cases.
Module of "Pharmacogenomics": knowledge of the impact of genetic interindividual variability (in particular genetic polymorphisms) on the pharmacological response. Knowledge of some methods used in pharmacogenomics and examples of applications. Ability to critically evaluate data included in scientific papers and to apply the acquired knowledge to understand specific cases.
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
Module of Practical course on Biotechnology and Pharmacology
1. Ligand-mediated regulation of gene transcription
2. Reporter systems for the study of transcription regulation: types, assays for activity and image acquisition
3. Transcriptomic analysis and bioinformatics techniques
4. Practical exercises for the maintenance and manipulation of cell cultures
5. Practical exercises for the transfection of plasmid DNA in cultured eukaryotic cells
6. Practical exercises for dose-response studies of transcriptionally active ligands
7. Practical exercises for the design of studies on efficacy and safety of drugs
8. Practical exercises for the design of studies on the mechanisms underlying sexually dimorphic pathologies and on the differential response to drugs among men and women
The course includes 8 hours of lectures for the presentation of topics related to advanced biotechnologies in preclinical drug development and 48 hours of laboratory practical exercises in which students will elaborate the definition of experimental systems and modern biotechnological tools for the study of specific drugs. In particular, practical exercises include: 1) the manipulation of a eukaryotic cell line and transfection of plasmid DNA; 2) the realization of a dose-response curve of drugs that directly regulate gene transcription; 3) the execution of biochemical and image acquisition assays for the detection of reporter proteins; 4) critical analysis of the results and resolution of practical / theoretical problems inherent to specific drug under study.
The purpose of the course is to consolidate the student's knowledge of the availability, purpose and possibility of using biotechnological tools for the study of new drug targets and their preclinical validation
Module of Pharmacogenomics:
1 Introduction to Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics: definition, objectives and impact for a personalized medicine. Genetic basis of interindividual variability in drug response. Human genome sequencing; genetic polymorphisms; genotype and phenotype associations.
2 Examples and studies on genetic polymorphisms in drug metabolizing enzymes (ex. CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, TPMT..)
3 Examples and studies on genetic polymorphisms in drug targets
4 Methods in Pharmacogenomics: genome-wide association studies- applications
5 Pharmacogenomics applied to oncology
6 Applications of pharmacogenomics research in oncology
7 Pharmacoepidemiology
8 Human clinical and genetic studies
1. Ligand-mediated regulation of gene transcription
2. Reporter systems for the study of transcription regulation: types, assays for activity and image acquisition
3. Transcriptomic analysis and bioinformatics techniques
4. Practical exercises for the maintenance and manipulation of cell cultures
5. Practical exercises for the transfection of plasmid DNA in cultured eukaryotic cells
6. Practical exercises for dose-response studies of transcriptionally active ligands
7. Practical exercises for the design of studies on efficacy and safety of drugs
8. Practical exercises for the design of studies on the mechanisms underlying sexually dimorphic pathologies and on the differential response to drugs among men and women
The course includes 8 hours of lectures for the presentation of topics related to advanced biotechnologies in preclinical drug development and 48 hours of laboratory practical exercises in which students will elaborate the definition of experimental systems and modern biotechnological tools for the study of specific drugs. In particular, practical exercises include: 1) the manipulation of a eukaryotic cell line and transfection of plasmid DNA; 2) the realization of a dose-response curve of drugs that directly regulate gene transcription; 3) the execution of biochemical and image acquisition assays for the detection of reporter proteins; 4) critical analysis of the results and resolution of practical / theoretical problems inherent to specific drug under study.
The purpose of the course is to consolidate the student's knowledge of the availability, purpose and possibility of using biotechnological tools for the study of new drug targets and their preclinical validation
Module of Pharmacogenomics:
1 Introduction to Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics: definition, objectives and impact for a personalized medicine. Genetic basis of interindividual variability in drug response. Human genome sequencing; genetic polymorphisms; genotype and phenotype associations.
2 Examples and studies on genetic polymorphisms in drug metabolizing enzymes (ex. CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, TPMT..)
3 Examples and studies on genetic polymorphisms in drug targets
4 Methods in Pharmacogenomics: genome-wide association studies- applications
5 Pharmacogenomics applied to oncology
6 Applications of pharmacogenomics research in oncology
7 Pharmacoepidemiology
8 Human clinical and genetic studies
Prerequisites for admission
Subjects learnt in preparatory courses are mandatory
Teaching methods
Classroom-taught lessons, recommended attendance
Practical exercises in the laboratory and computer classroom, mandatory attendance
Practical exercises in the laboratory and computer classroom, mandatory attendance
Teaching Resources
Slides, protocols and other material used for lessons and practical exercises are available through the ARIEL website
Books:
Vegeto, Maggi, Minghetti. «Farmaci biotecnologici-aspetti farmacologici e clinici» Zanichelli
Clementi E, Fumagalli G «Farmacologia generale e molecolare» V edizione - Edra
Books:
Vegeto, Maggi, Minghetti. «Farmaci biotecnologici-aspetti farmacologici e clinici» Zanichelli
Clementi E, Fumagalli G «Farmacologia generale e molecolare» V edizione - Edra
Assessment methods and Criteria
Teaching Unit of Practical course on Biotechnology and Pharmacology: the exam is a written test in the form of a scientific report of the experiments conducted during the exercises and with reference to the topics covered in class, aimed at verifying the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding of the subject.
Teaching Unit of Pharmacogenomics: the final examination is a written test consisting in 30 multiple choice questions (evaluation score: correct answer +1, wrong -0.2, missin answer:0) and it will be aimed at ascertaining the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and comprehension.
This evaluation will be integrated with the score obtained from an "in itinere" test (from 0 to 3 points), consisting of an exercise independently carried out in the computer room.
The final mark of this coursewill consist of the weighted average, based on cfu, of the partial marks for the two modules (the vote obtained in each Teaching Unit will be communicated via email and the Ariel website).
Teaching Unit of Pharmacogenomics: the final examination is a written test consisting in 30 multiple choice questions (evaluation score: correct answer +1, wrong -0.2, missin answer:0) and it will be aimed at ascertaining the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and comprehension.
This evaluation will be integrated with the score obtained from an "in itinere" test (from 0 to 3 points), consisting of an exercise independently carried out in the computer room.
The final mark of this coursewill consist of the weighted average, based on cfu, of the partial marks for the two modules (the vote obtained in each Teaching Unit will be communicated via email and the Ariel website).
Pharmacogenomics
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY - University credits: 3
Single bench laboratory practical: 16 hours
Lessons: 16 hours
Lessons: 16 hours
Professor:
Fumagalli Marta
Practical course on Biotechnology and Pharmacology
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY - University credits: 4
Single bench laboratory practical: 48 hours
Lessons: 8 hours
Lessons: 8 hours
Professors:
Marangon Davide, Vegeto Elisabetta
Professor(s)