Translational medicine and biotechnologies 2
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to apply a multidisciplinary approach to human health problems to transfer new findings from the basic sciences to clinical practice. The purpose of the course is to train students to familiarize themselves with methods, using aninterdisciplinary approach, of biotechnology research with an impact on Human Health..
Expected learning outcomes
BLOCK 1: CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
The students will recognize laboratory tests to define the function and health of the main organs and will be able to choose,
apply and interpret proper tests to diagnose and manage diseases.
BLOCK 2: CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
At the end of this course, the students will be able to choose the most appropriate tests to use in specific clinical settings,
interpret the results, and make a clinical decision.
BLOCK 3: CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
At the end of this short course, students will be able to:
- Understand the role of the hospital microbiology lab in the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases.
- Describe key diagnostic techniques (culture, Gram stain, molecular assays) and when to use them.
- Interpret laboratory results relevant to the most common hospital infections.
- Recognize the principles of antimicrobial susceptibility testing and resistance mechanisms.
- Understand the microbiological workflow in real clinical settings, including urgency, sample handling, and reporting.
BLOCK 4: BIOTECHNOLOGY APPROACHES IN TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
At the end of this course, the student will acquire knowledge on applications different biotechnological techniques used both
in clinics and biomedical translational research.
The students will recognize laboratory tests to define the function and health of the main organs and will be able to choose,
apply and interpret proper tests to diagnose and manage diseases.
BLOCK 2: CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
At the end of this course, the students will be able to choose the most appropriate tests to use in specific clinical settings,
interpret the results, and make a clinical decision.
BLOCK 3: CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
At the end of this short course, students will be able to:
- Understand the role of the hospital microbiology lab in the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases.
- Describe key diagnostic techniques (culture, Gram stain, molecular assays) and when to use them.
- Interpret laboratory results relevant to the most common hospital infections.
- Recognize the principles of antimicrobial susceptibility testing and resistance mechanisms.
- Understand the microbiological workflow in real clinical settings, including urgency, sample handling, and reporting.
BLOCK 4: BIOTECHNOLOGY APPROACHES IN TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
At the end of this course, the student will acquire knowledge on applications different biotechnological techniques used both
in clinics and biomedical translational research.
Lesson period: Second 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
Prerequisites for admission
The Part 1 examination must be passed before the end of Part 2 year 4.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The assessment of learning takes place through a written test lasting 60 minutes.
The test will be based on the Moodle platform basically with multiple-choice and short answer questions (n=32) distributed
among the 4 different blocks.
The student earns:
1 point for each correct answer
0.5 points for each partial or incomplete answer
0 points for each incorrect answer or unanswered question.
The exam will be considered successfully completed (Idoneità) if the student has acquired a minimum score of 18/30.
In the event of a score of 31-32, honors (lode) will be granted.
Registration through SIFA is mandatory.
The test will be based on the Moodle platform basically with multiple-choice and short answer questions (n=32) distributed
among the 4 different blocks.
The student earns:
1 point for each correct answer
0.5 points for each partial or incomplete answer
0 points for each incorrect answer or unanswered question.
The exam will be considered successfully completed (Idoneità) if the student has acquired a minimum score of 18/30.
In the event of a score of 31-32, honors (lode) will be granted.
Registration through SIFA is mandatory.
Clinical Biochemistry
Course syllabus
BLOCK 1: CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
1. Laboratory tests for:
- Cardiovascular system diseases
- Urogenital system, renal function- water and electrolytes disorders
- Gastrointestinal apparatus and gland disorders
- Endocrine disorders
- Inherited metabolic disorders
2. Tumour markers and liquid biopsy
3. Paediatric and geriatric clinical biochemistry
1. Laboratory tests for:
- Cardiovascular system diseases
- Urogenital system, renal function- water and electrolytes disorders
- Gastrointestinal apparatus and gland disorders
- Endocrine disorders
- Inherited metabolic disorders
2. Tumour markers and liquid biopsy
3. Paediatric and geriatric clinical biochemistry
Teaching methods
Synchronous learning: class-room lectures
Asynchronous learning: audio-video lectures, question and answers, video-tutorials, articles and book chapters for further
exploring the proposed topics will be suggested.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is required to be allowed to take the exam. Unexcused absence is tolerated up to 34% of the
course activities. University policy regarding excused illness is followed.
Asynchronous learning: audio-video lectures, question and answers, video-tutorials, articles and book chapters for further
exploring the proposed topics will be suggested.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is required to be allowed to take the exam. Unexcused absence is tolerated up to 34% of the
course activities. University policy regarding excused illness is followed.
Teaching Resources
Rifai N. Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. Elsevier
Clinical pathology
Course syllabus
BLOCK 2: CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
1. Tests for monitoring blood coagulation
- Learn about diagnostic tests for monitoring the different phases of the coagulation process
- Improve skills to understand laboratory results
- Improve skills to make a clinical decision
2. Tests for monitoring bone turnover
- Learn about diagnostic tests for monitoring bone synthesis and bone resorption in different clinical conditions
- Improve skills to understand laboratory results
- Improve skills to make a clinical decision
3. Analysis of urine
- Learn about different types of sample collection and analyses that can be performed in different clinical conditions
- Improve skills to understand laboratory results
- Improve skills to make a clinical decision
4. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid
- Learn about diagnostic tests for the diagnosis of different neurological diseases
- Improve skills to understand laboratory results
- Improve skills to make a clinical decision
5. Analysis of synovial fluid
- Learn about diagnostic tests for the diagnosis of different joint diseases
- Improve skills to understand laboratory results
- Improve skills to make a clinical decision
6. Analysis of pleural fluid
- Learn about diagnostic tests for identification of exudates, transudates and chylous effusion
- Improve skills to understand laboratory results
- Improve skills to make a clinical decision
1. Tests for monitoring blood coagulation
- Learn about diagnostic tests for monitoring the different phases of the coagulation process
- Improve skills to understand laboratory results
- Improve skills to make a clinical decision
2. Tests for monitoring bone turnover
- Learn about diagnostic tests for monitoring bone synthesis and bone resorption in different clinical conditions
- Improve skills to understand laboratory results
- Improve skills to make a clinical decision
3. Analysis of urine
- Learn about different types of sample collection and analyses that can be performed in different clinical conditions
- Improve skills to understand laboratory results
- Improve skills to make a clinical decision
4. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid
- Learn about diagnostic tests for the diagnosis of different neurological diseases
- Improve skills to understand laboratory results
- Improve skills to make a clinical decision
5. Analysis of synovial fluid
- Learn about diagnostic tests for the diagnosis of different joint diseases
- Improve skills to understand laboratory results
- Improve skills to make a clinical decision
6. Analysis of pleural fluid
- Learn about diagnostic tests for identification of exudates, transudates and chylous effusion
- Improve skills to understand laboratory results
- Improve skills to make a clinical decision
Teaching methods
Synchronous learning: class-room lectures
Asynchronous learning: audio-video lectures, question and answers, video-tutorials, articles and book chapters for further
exploring the proposed topics will be suggested.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is required to be allowed to take the exam. Unexcused absence is tolerated up to 34% of the
course activities. University policy regarding excused illness is followed.
Asynchronous learning: audio-video lectures, question and answers, video-tutorials, articles and book chapters for further
exploring the proposed topics will be suggested.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is required to be allowed to take the exam. Unexcused absence is tolerated up to 34% of the
course activities. University policy regarding excused illness is followed.
Teaching Resources
Coleman-Tsongalis, Molecular Pathology, Elsevier 2018
Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, 8th Edition
Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, 8th Edition
Microbiology
Course syllabus
BLOCK 3: CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
1. Introduction to Clinical Microbiology & Diagnostic Workflow
2. Bacterial Infections and Antibiotic Resistance
3. Collection samples methodology
4. Bloodstream Infections, Sepsis, and Hemocultures
5. Microbiology of Respiratory and Urinary Tract Infections
6. Hospital-Acquired Infections & Infection Control - Role of the Lab
7. Microbiome, Diagnosis and Fecal Microbiome Transplantation
1. Introduction to Clinical Microbiology & Diagnostic Workflow
2. Bacterial Infections and Antibiotic Resistance
3. Collection samples methodology
4. Bloodstream Infections, Sepsis, and Hemocultures
5. Microbiology of Respiratory and Urinary Tract Infections
6. Hospital-Acquired Infections & Infection Control - Role of the Lab
7. Microbiome, Diagnosis and Fecal Microbiome Transplantation
Teaching methods
Synchronous learning: class-room lectures
Asynchronous learning: audio-video lectures, question and answers, video-tutorials, articles and book chapters for further
exploring the proposed topics will be suggested.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is required to be allowed to take the exam. Unexcused absence is tolerated up to 34% of the
course activities. University policy regarding excused illness is followed.
Asynchronous learning: audio-video lectures, question and answers, video-tutorials, articles and book chapters for further
exploring the proposed topics will be suggested.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is required to be allowed to take the exam. Unexcused absence is tolerated up to 34% of the
course activities. University policy regarding excused illness is followed.
Teaching Resources
1. 2. Connie R. Mahon, Donald C. Lehman, George Manuselis, "Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology" Elsevier
James J. Dunn, Marc Roger Couturier, Audrey N. Schuetz, "Challenging cases in Diagnostic Clinical Microbiology -
Advanced Strategies and Techniques", Springer
James J. Dunn, Marc Roger Couturier, Audrey N. Schuetz, "Challenging cases in Diagnostic Clinical Microbiology -
Advanced Strategies and Techniques", Springer
Laboratory medicine
Course syllabus
BLOCK 4: BIOTECHNOLOGY APPROACHES IN TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
1. Translational application of technologies to human infections as model of human disease (part 1 and 2)
2. Translational application of technologies to primary immune-deficiencies as model of human disease
3. Translational application of technologies to acquired immune-deficiencies as a model of human disease
4. Translational application of technologies to autoimmunity of human disease
5. Translational application of technologies to auto-inflammatory disorders as model of human diseases
1. Translational application of technologies to human infections as model of human disease (part 1 and 2)
2. Translational application of technologies to primary immune-deficiencies as model of human disease
3. Translational application of technologies to acquired immune-deficiencies as a model of human disease
4. Translational application of technologies to autoimmunity of human disease
5. Translational application of technologies to auto-inflammatory disorders as model of human diseases
Teaching methods
Synchronous learning: class-room lectures
Asynchronous learning: audio-video lectures, question and answers, video-tutorials, articles and book chapters for further
exploring the proposed topics will be suggested.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is required to be allowed to take the exam. Unexcused absence is tolerated up to 34% of the
course activities. University policy regarding excused illness is followed.
Asynchronous learning: audio-video lectures, question and answers, video-tutorials, articles and book chapters for further
exploring the proposed topics will be suggested.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is required to be allowed to take the exam. Unexcused absence is tolerated up to 34% of the
course activities. University policy regarding excused illness is followed.
Teaching Resources
The lectures slides and the pdf of paper presented during the lessons will be uploaded on the Ariel website of the University
of Milan.
of Milan.
Modules or teaching units
Clinical Biochemistry
BIO/12 - CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 16 hours
Lessons - Innovative Teaching: 8 hours
Lessons - Innovative Teaching: 8 hours
Professor:
Tringali Cristina Alessandra
Clinical pathology
MED/05 - CLINICAL PATHOLOGY - University credits: 1
Lessons: 8 hours
Lessons - Innovative Teaching: 4 hours
Lessons - Innovative Teaching: 4 hours
Professor:
Dozio Elena
Laboratory medicine
MED/46 - BIOTECHNOLOGY AND METHODS IN LABORATORY MEDICINE - University credits: 1
Lessons: 8 hours
Lessons - Innovative Teaching: 4 hours
Lessons - Innovative Teaching: 4 hours
Professor:
Mavilio Domenico
Microbiology
MED/07 - MICROBIOLOGY AND CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY - University credits: 1
Lessons: 8 hours
Lessons - Innovative Teaching: 4 hours
Lessons - Innovative Teaching: 4 hours
Professor:
Drago Lorenzo
Professor(s)
Reception:
11.00 - 12.00 on Monday by appointment
Direzione Laboratorio Clinico Generale con Aree Specialistiche. IRCCS Multimedica, Via Fantoli 15/16, Milano (Italy). Tel. 02.5540 6642 - Laboratorio di Microbiologia Clinica, Via Mangiagalli, 31 - Milano
Reception:
On Appointment
Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Via A. ;anzoni 113, Rozzano, Milano
Reception:
By appointment by mail/phone
via F.lli Cervi 93-LITA Segrate