Design and Optimization of Monoclonal Antibodies

The purpose of this course is that participants gain knowledge on and understand:
- the principal biological features of mAbs used both in research and therapy
- the computational strategies, and their accuracy, for studying and modelling mAbs
- the main methods to produce mAbs, and to in silico and in vitro predict and validate their mechanisms of action (MoA)
- the safety and efficacy of monoclonal antibodies in vivo, with key examples of their application in the clinical setting

At the end of the course, the student is expected:
- to know:
- the principal biological features of mAbs
- the application of the molecular and computational methods used in mAb analyses and design
-the different mechanisms of action of mAbs
- to critically evaluate:
- the pros and cons of in silico and in vitro approaches for mAb design and production
- the efficacy and safety of mAbs in clinical trials
to gain:
- the bases for deeply understanding development methods and applications of mAbs in research and therapy, with particular attention to scientific papers and/or clinical data and reports;
to obtain:
a multifaceted biological, bioinformatics and pharmacological knowledgebase useful for further student's personal study of this topic.