Omics Approaches: from Research to Therapy
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The teaching aims to provide students with the scientific knowledge contributing to the formation of a basic culture on omics technologies and the learning of the language to be used. The purpose of the teaching is to enable students to understand the fundamental logic in the use of omics methodologies, to know the theoretical and practical bases and principles underlying the different omics techniques, the main usage protocols both in sample preparation and instrumentation, and their control, and finally to provide the foundations for the management and analysis of results, also illustrating the possibility of integrating the data obtained with different omics methodologies. The educational objective of the teaching is to develop knowledge that allows students to address various scientific issues and to choose and apply the best omics methodologies to understand the biochemical functions in the main tissues or cellular models, also in relation to the most common pathologies.
This will set the stage for testing how the analysis of omics dataset could be used to improve patient stratification, the identification of novel pharmacological treatments and the evaluation of the safety and efficacy profile of biologics.
This will set the stage for testing how the analysis of omics dataset could be used to improve patient stratification, the identification of novel pharmacological treatments and the evaluation of the safety and efficacy profile of biologics.
Expected learning outcomes
The students' learning outcomes are assessed by the teachers through an oral and/or a written test to examine of the comprehension of the omics methodologies and their use based on the program carried out during the course. The examination of the students by the teachers will mainly focus on assessing the knowledge and understanding of omics techniques and evaluating the skills acquired by the student upon completion of the teaching itself. In particular, the language proficiency used by the student will be assessed, as well as the skills acquired to discriminate the choice of different omics methodologies and their potential integration to apply to various scientific issues.
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
The following topics will be explained during the teaching unit "Omics technology and approaches":
- Introduction to Genomics
- Overview of Precision Medicine
- Large-Scale Sequencing Projects
- Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Platforms
- Applications of NGS Technologies (ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq)
- Spatial Transcriptomics
- Single-Cell Transcriptomics (Single-Cell RNA Sequencing, scRNA-seq)
- NGS Library Preparation and Sequencing
- Introduction to Proteomics
- Proteomics Platforms and Instrumentation
- Quantitative Proteomics Analysis
- Proteomics Imaging and Its Applications
- Introduction to Metabolomics
- Metabolomics Platforms
- Lipidomics
- Fluxomics
- Introduction to Bioinformatics
- Integration of Omics Data
Teaching Unit: Application of Omics Strategies in Pharmacology
The following topics will be covered in the teaching unit "Application of Omics Strategies in Pharmacology":
Use of genomics for the identification of novel therapeutic targets
Genetic studies and Mendelian randomization approaches for the validation in humans of loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations
Target-screening strategies using CRISPR-Cas9 technology
Humanized experimental models for drug translation
Omics approaches for validating the efficacy of gene therapy and gene-silencing strategies
Artificial intelligence (AI) for the identification and study of disease biomarkers
Omics strategies for monoclonal antibody design and clinical applications (Part 1)
Omics strategies for monoclonal antibody design and clinical applications (Part 2)
Practical Computer Laboratory Sessions
Analysis of transcriptomic datasets
Construction of maps of differentially expressed genes (DEGs)
Graphical visualization of DEGs
Identification of differentially regulated biological pathways
- Introduction to Genomics
- Overview of Precision Medicine
- Large-Scale Sequencing Projects
- Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Platforms
- Applications of NGS Technologies (ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq)
- Spatial Transcriptomics
- Single-Cell Transcriptomics (Single-Cell RNA Sequencing, scRNA-seq)
- NGS Library Preparation and Sequencing
- Introduction to Proteomics
- Proteomics Platforms and Instrumentation
- Quantitative Proteomics Analysis
- Proteomics Imaging and Its Applications
- Introduction to Metabolomics
- Metabolomics Platforms
- Lipidomics
- Fluxomics
- Introduction to Bioinformatics
- Integration of Omics Data
Teaching Unit: Application of Omics Strategies in Pharmacology
The following topics will be covered in the teaching unit "Application of Omics Strategies in Pharmacology":
Use of genomics for the identification of novel therapeutic targets
Genetic studies and Mendelian randomization approaches for the validation in humans of loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations
Target-screening strategies using CRISPR-Cas9 technology
Humanized experimental models for drug translation
Omics approaches for validating the efficacy of gene therapy and gene-silencing strategies
Artificial intelligence (AI) for the identification and study of disease biomarkers
Omics strategies for monoclonal antibody design and clinical applications (Part 1)
Omics strategies for monoclonal antibody design and clinical applications (Part 2)
Practical Computer Laboratory Sessions
Analysis of transcriptomic datasets
Construction of maps of differentially expressed genes (DEGs)
Graphical visualization of DEGs
Identification of differentially regulated biological pathways
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge in Biochemistry, Applied Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Physiopathology and Pharmacology are strongly recommended.
Teaching methods
The course is composed of two teaching units:
"Omics Technologies and Approaches" (24 hours)
"Application of Omics Strategies in Pharmacology" (16 hours of lectures and 16 hours of practical laboratory sessions)
Both teaching units consist of lectures delivered by the instructors and, where appropriate, seminars given by external experts on specific topics.
More specifically, the course includes:
"Omics Technologies and Approaches" (24 hours)
"Application of Omics Strategies in Pharmacology" (16 hours)
Both teaching units consist of lectures delivered by the instructors and seminars given by external experts on specific topics. In addition, a 16-hour laboratory component is included for the teaching unit "Application of Omics Strategies in Pharmacology."
With regard to the teaching unit "Omics Technologies and Approaches," the lectures will be organized as follows:
- 6 lectures on genomics and transcriptomics, of which 2 will be delivered in person and 4 asynchronously/online;
- 6 lectures on proteomics and metabolomics, all delivered in person.
With regard to the teaching unit "Application of Omics Strategies in Pharmacology," the activities will be organized as follows:
- 8 lectures on the pharmacological applications of omics strategies, with a particular focus on approaches for the identification of novel therapeutic targets; 4 lectures will be delivered in person and 4 asynchronously/online;
- 4 practical computer laboratory sessions, each lasting 4 hours and delivered in person.
The asynchronous online lectures will be scheduled alternately and periodically with respect to the in-person activities. Since at least one lecture is scheduled during the 1:30-3:30 p.m. time slot, which represents the last teaching commitment of the day, the asynchronous/online format will allow students to access the learning materials at a time that is more convenient for them. This approach will provide greater flexibility in time management and promote a more effective and personalized learning experience.
Further details will be made available on the Ariel course website. Teaching materials will include PowerPoint presentations and/or short videos, which will be provided to students through the course Ariel platform.
"Omics Technologies and Approaches" (24 hours)
"Application of Omics Strategies in Pharmacology" (16 hours of lectures and 16 hours of practical laboratory sessions)
Both teaching units consist of lectures delivered by the instructors and, where appropriate, seminars given by external experts on specific topics.
More specifically, the course includes:
"Omics Technologies and Approaches" (24 hours)
"Application of Omics Strategies in Pharmacology" (16 hours)
Both teaching units consist of lectures delivered by the instructors and seminars given by external experts on specific topics. In addition, a 16-hour laboratory component is included for the teaching unit "Application of Omics Strategies in Pharmacology."
With regard to the teaching unit "Omics Technologies and Approaches," the lectures will be organized as follows:
- 6 lectures on genomics and transcriptomics, of which 2 will be delivered in person and 4 asynchronously/online;
- 6 lectures on proteomics and metabolomics, all delivered in person.
With regard to the teaching unit "Application of Omics Strategies in Pharmacology," the activities will be organized as follows:
- 8 lectures on the pharmacological applications of omics strategies, with a particular focus on approaches for the identification of novel therapeutic targets; 4 lectures will be delivered in person and 4 asynchronously/online;
- 4 practical computer laboratory sessions, each lasting 4 hours and delivered in person.
The asynchronous online lectures will be scheduled alternately and periodically with respect to the in-person activities. Since at least one lecture is scheduled during the 1:30-3:30 p.m. time slot, which represents the last teaching commitment of the day, the asynchronous/online format will allow students to access the learning materials at a time that is more convenient for them. This approach will provide greater flexibility in time management and promote a more effective and personalized learning experience.
Further details will be made available on the Ariel course website. Teaching materials will include PowerPoint presentations and/or short videos, which will be provided to students through the course Ariel platform.
Teaching Resources
The iconographic materials presented during the lectures of the two teaching units, together with the relevant bibliographic references, will be made available for download via the Ariel portal.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Student learning outcomes will be assessed through a written examination consisting of multiple-choice and/or open-ended questions covering the topics addressed during the lectures.
Specifically, for the teaching unit "Omics Technologies and Approaches", the written examination will consist of multiple-choice questions on the topics covered during the course. In particular, students will be required to answer 16 questions. Each correct answer will be awarded 2 points, while incorrect answers will receive 0 points. Only one of the proposed answer options will be correct.
For the teaching unit "Application of Omics Strategies in Pharmacology", the examination will consist of two open-ended questions on the topics covered during the course. A maximum score of 7.5 points will be awarded for each question.
There will be a single examination covering both teaching units, and the final grade will be calculated as the weighted average of the marks obtained in the assessments of the two teaching units, according to the number of credits assigned to each unit.
Specifically, for the teaching unit "Omics Technologies and Approaches", the written examination will consist of multiple-choice questions on the topics covered during the course. In particular, students will be required to answer 16 questions. Each correct answer will be awarded 2 points, while incorrect answers will receive 0 points. Only one of the proposed answer options will be correct.
For the teaching unit "Application of Omics Strategies in Pharmacology", the examination will consist of two open-ended questions on the topics covered during the course. A maximum score of 7.5 points will be awarded for each question.
There will be a single examination covering both teaching units, and the final grade will be calculated as the weighted average of the marks obtained in the assessments of the two teaching units, according to the number of credits assigned to each unit.
BIOS-07/A - Biochemistry - University credits: 3
BIOS-11/A - Pharmacology - University credits: 3
BIOS-11/A - Pharmacology - University credits: 3
Exercises: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Mitro Nico, Norata Giuseppe Danilo
Professor(s)
Reception:
please contact the professor by e-mail
Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences