Omics: from Bench to Bedside
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to present to the students the fundamental logic in the use of omic methodologies, to introduce the theoretical and practical bases and the principles on which the different omic techniques are based, to describe the main protocols of use both in the preparation of the sample and of the instrumentation and their control, and finally to provide the basis for the management and analysis of the results including the possibility of integration of the data obtained with different omic methodologies. In addition, since omics-based recent approaches have unveiled the molecular mechanism behind the pathogenesis of several human diseases and promoted the identification of next-generation molecular markers for early diagnosis, prognosis and even personalized targeted therapy, the course will introduce the student to the most promising omics approaches and their outcomes for the diagnosis and therapy.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the students will be able to address different scientific issues and to choose and apply the best omics approaches to understand the biochemical bases of tissue functions in health and disease. The student will be prepared to discuss the available modern high technologies to identify novel markers and understand personalized therapies; they will learn the "omics" workflow from different clinical matrices (i.e. tumor specimen) to data analysis.
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
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The following topics will be explained during the teaching unit "Omics technology and approaches":
- An overview on Precision Medicine
- Large Scale Genome Sequencing Project
- Next Generation Sequencing Platforms
- Next Generation Sequencing libraries preparations and sequencing
- Next Generation Sequencing Applications: Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)
- Next Generation Sequencing Applications: ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, bulk-RNA-seq
- Spatial Transcriptomics
- Single Cell RNA-seq
- Introduction to proteomics
- Proteomic platform and instrumentation
- Quantitative analysis in proteomics: Labelled and label-free approaches
- Imaging proteomics and applications
- Introduction to metabolomics
- Metabolic platform: targeted vs untargeted metabolomics
- Lipidomics
- Fluxomics
- Omics data integration
The following topics will be covered during the teaching unit "Omics approaches in diagnosis and therapy":
- Clinical applications of omics technologies in disease diagnosis, prognosis and therapy, personalized and precision medicine, molecular biomarkers
- Ethical and social considerations in clinical omics
- Omics-based approaches in newborn screening of inborn error of metabolism
- Omics-based approaches in prenatal screening and developmental disorders
- Liquid Biopsies and Omics-based approaches in cancer
- Omics-based approaches in neurodegenerative disorders
- Omics-based approaches in cardiovascular diseases
- Experimental data obtained from animal models their relevance to disease.
- An overview on Precision Medicine
- Large Scale Genome Sequencing Project
- Next Generation Sequencing Platforms
- Next Generation Sequencing libraries preparations and sequencing
- Next Generation Sequencing Applications: Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)
- Next Generation Sequencing Applications: ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, bulk-RNA-seq
- Spatial Transcriptomics
- Single Cell RNA-seq
- Introduction to proteomics
- Proteomic platform and instrumentation
- Quantitative analysis in proteomics: Labelled and label-free approaches
- Imaging proteomics and applications
- Introduction to metabolomics
- Metabolic platform: targeted vs untargeted metabolomics
- Lipidomics
- Fluxomics
- Omics data integration
The following topics will be covered during the teaching unit "Omics approaches in diagnosis and therapy":
- Clinical applications of omics technologies in disease diagnosis, prognosis and therapy, personalized and precision medicine, molecular biomarkers
- Ethical and social considerations in clinical omics
- Omics-based approaches in newborn screening of inborn error of metabolism
- Omics-based approaches in prenatal screening and developmental disorders
- Liquid Biopsies and Omics-based approaches in cancer
- Omics-based approaches in neurodegenerative disorders
- Omics-based approaches in cardiovascular diseases
- Experimental data obtained from animal models their relevance to disease.
Prerequisites for admission
A basic knowledge of Cellular Biology, Biochemistry, Applied Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Immunology, and Human Physiopathology is strongly recommended for the Omics Technology and Approaches teaching unit.
Teaching methods
The course is composed of two teaching units: 1. "Omics technology and approaches" (4 ETCS, 32 hours) and 2. "Omics approaches in diagnosis and therapy" (2 ETCS, 16 hours). Both teaching units consist of lectures given by the Teachers and seminars by external experts on particular topics.
With regard to the teaching unit "Omics Technologies and approaches", the lectures will be organized as follows:
- 8 lectures on genomics and transcriptomics, of which 3 will be delivered in person and 5 through asynchronous online learning;
- 8 lectures on proteomics and metabolomics, all of which will be delivered in person.
With regard to the teaching unit "Omics Approaches in Diagnosis and Therapy", the lecture will be organized as follows:
-5 lectures related to personalized medicine, biomarker discovery and liquid biopsy in prenatal screening and tumor diagnosis and treatment will be delivered in person
-3 lectures related to inborn errors of metabolism, personalized health and cardiogenetic will be delivered through asynchronous online learning
The asynchronous online lectures will be scheduled on a regular and alternating basis with respect to the in-person teaching activities. Since at least one class is scheduled between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., corresponding to the final teaching session of the day, the asynchronous format will allow students to access the course materials at a time that best suits their individual schedules. This approach will provide greater flexibility in time management and support a more effective and personalized learning experience. Furthermore, the final two lectures will be delivered asynchronously, as they are scheduled during the period immediately preceding the examination session. This arrangement is intended to support students in consolidating course content and preparing for the examination by providing increased flexibility in the organization of their study activities
Powerpoint presentations or short videos are usually used and are provided to the students on the Ariel site of the course.
With regard to the teaching unit "Omics Technologies and approaches", the lectures will be organized as follows:
- 8 lectures on genomics and transcriptomics, of which 3 will be delivered in person and 5 through asynchronous online learning;
- 8 lectures on proteomics and metabolomics, all of which will be delivered in person.
With regard to the teaching unit "Omics Approaches in Diagnosis and Therapy", the lecture will be organized as follows:
-5 lectures related to personalized medicine, biomarker discovery and liquid biopsy in prenatal screening and tumor diagnosis and treatment will be delivered in person
-3 lectures related to inborn errors of metabolism, personalized health and cardiogenetic will be delivered through asynchronous online learning
The asynchronous online lectures will be scheduled on a regular and alternating basis with respect to the in-person teaching activities. Since at least one class is scheduled between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., corresponding to the final teaching session of the day, the asynchronous format will allow students to access the course materials at a time that best suits their individual schedules. This approach will provide greater flexibility in time management and support a more effective and personalized learning experience. Furthermore, the final two lectures will be delivered asynchronously, as they are scheduled during the period immediately preceding the examination session. This arrangement is intended to support students in consolidating course content and preparing for the examination by providing increased flexibility in the organization of their study activities
Powerpoint presentations or short videos are usually used and are provided to the students on the Ariel site of the course.
Teaching Resources
For both units the iconographic materials shown during the lessons and bibliographic references can be downloaded from the Ariel portal.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students' learning outcomes will be assessed through a written examination covering omics methodologies and their applications, based on the content delivered in both teaching units: "Omics Technologies and Approaches" and "Omics Approaches in Diagnosis and Therapy".
The written examination will consist of multiple-choice questions covering the topics addressed during the course. Specifically, the exam will include a total of 30 questions: 20 questions related to the teaching unit "Omics Technologies and Approaches" and 10 questions related to the teaching unit "Omics Approaches in Diagnosis and Therapy".
Each correct answer will be awarded 1 point, while incorrect answers will receive 0 points. For each question, only one of the proposed answer options will be correct.
The final grade will be calculated as the weighted average of the grades obtained in the two teaching units, according to the number of credits assigned to each unit.
Examinations for both teaching units will be held on the same day; therefore, students are required to take both parts of the examination during the same exam session.
The written examination will consist of multiple-choice questions covering the topics addressed during the course. Specifically, the exam will include a total of 30 questions: 20 questions related to the teaching unit "Omics Technologies and Approaches" and 10 questions related to the teaching unit "Omics Approaches in Diagnosis and Therapy".
Each correct answer will be awarded 1 point, while incorrect answers will receive 0 points. For each question, only one of the proposed answer options will be correct.
The final grade will be calculated as the weighted average of the grades obtained in the two teaching units, according to the number of credits assigned to each unit.
Examinations for both teaching units will be held on the same day; therefore, students are required to take both parts of the examination during the same exam session.
BIOS-07/A - Biochemistry - University credits: 4
MEDS-02/A - Experimental Medicine and Pathophysiology - University credits: 2
MEDS-02/A - Experimental Medicine and Pathophysiology - University credits: 2
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Cattaneo Paola Luisa, Mitro Nico
Professor(s)
Reception:
by appointment to be arranged by e-mail
Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milano or via Carlo Parea 4, 20138 Milano