Animal Cell Biotechnology
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
Course of advanced cell biology with strong emphasis on the various possible biotechnological applications. This course focuses on the use and the engineering of animal cells for scientific purposes with particular emphasis on the generation and use of transgenic animals.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will acquire the basic knowledge of how a cell can be isolated, used and modified for applicative purposes in the field of biotechnology and animal transgenesis.
The student will acquire the ability to describe the current approaches to isolate, modify and use the cell for more applicative purposes, using the correct terminology.
The student will acquire the ability to describe the current approaches to isolate, modify and use the cell for more applicative purposes, using the correct terminology.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Definition and main featrures of the different types of cell cultures. Explants, primary cultures and immortalized lines of animal cells. Suspension and adherent cultures. Characterization of cultured cells, expression of specific markers of differentiated cells. Cell Cultures for toxicity tests, cell transplantation. Cell cloning. Cell line storage.
Introduction of exogenous DNA into mammalian cells: cloning, characteristics of the different vectors used for eukaryotic cells. Reporter systems. Methods of transfection. Stable and transient transfections. Cell transduction.
Subcellular localization of macromolecules: cell fractionation and immunofluorescence techniques. Use and production of mono- and polyclonal antibodies: somatic hybridization.
GFP and its applications in cell cultures: subcellular localization of proteins, analysis of protein-protein interactions (FRET), analysis of protein dynamics (FRAP), photoactivable GFP.
Stem cells (embryonic and adult) and induced pluripotent stem cells: characteristics and applications.
Animal models: mouse and zebrafish.
Transgenic mice: knock-in mouse, knock-out mouse, conditional knock-out mouse.
Introduction of exogenous DNA into mammalian cells: cloning, characteristics of the different vectors used for eukaryotic cells. Reporter systems. Methods of transfection. Stable and transient transfections. Cell transduction.
Subcellular localization of macromolecules: cell fractionation and immunofluorescence techniques. Use and production of mono- and polyclonal antibodies: somatic hybridization.
GFP and its applications in cell cultures: subcellular localization of proteins, analysis of protein-protein interactions (FRET), analysis of protein dynamics (FRAP), photoactivable GFP.
Stem cells (embryonic and adult) and induced pluripotent stem cells: characteristics and applications.
Animal models: mouse and zebrafish.
Transgenic mice: knock-in mouse, knock-out mouse, conditional knock-out mouse.
Prerequisites for admission
It is recommended to have acquired knowledge in basic and molecular cell biology
Teaching methods
The teaching is based on interactive lectures supported by projected material (slides such as power point presentations). Students will be encouraged to actively participate in the lesson / discussion to improve their critical skills by analyzing the literature and communicating concepts appropriately. Attendance mode: strongly recommended
Teaching Resources
- Slides on the Teacher Ariel Website
- Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Biologia molecolare della cellula- ZANICHELLI
- Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Biologia molecolare della cellula- ZANICHELLI
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will be divided into a first written part with open and multiple choice questions and a subsequent oral evaluation. The exam aims to evaluate the knowledge acquired and the student's ability to solve biological problems on the basis of the topics covered in the course.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
On appointment (email)
Torre C 7th floor