Nanoparticles and Viral Vectors

The course provides the student with knowledge about the most innovative strategies to design and develop biotechnological drugs for the cure of congenital or acquired pathologies.
Specific knowledge will be provided on usage and production of viral vectors for gene therapy and vaccines; nanoparticle design, functionalization, and characterization techniques; concepts and examples of biosensor applications.

At the end of the course the student should be able to:
· describe the characteristics of the different viral vectors discussed during the training;
· evaluate the type of viral vector most suitable for a specific class of pathologies;
· analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the different viral vectors discussed during class;
· compare the different types of inorganic and organic nanoparticles based on their physical and chemical properties and as function of the scale;
· specify nanoparticle characterization techniques and evaluate their limitations and scopes;
· describe the functioning principles of the main biosensor techniques based on nanoparticles;
· describe the design of nanoparticles for the delivery of biotechnological active ingredients;
· describe the methods and techniques of nanoparticle decoration;
· analyze the synthesis and functionalization methods of nanoparticles.