Advanced molecular and cellular biotechnology

PROGRAM
One part of the course covers the following cellular aspects:
The impact of cell culture in biotechnology. Cells as factories. Cellular models. Purification of human cells. Primary cell culture.
Transduction of cells.
Selected aspects of the drug discovery process and biology, example testing drugs, establishing a bioassay.
High throughput technologies.
Digest from Biotechnology journals.
Cell Biology in the scientific lab. Selected arguments.
Imaging technology and the cytoskeleton. Structure of the cytoskeleton relevance in disease and diagnostics, unconventional signaling through cellular shape.
Disease and target-oriented cell biology. Functional analysis of gene function by cell biology (data discussion).
The "Professor corner": ribosomes and translation in the regulation of gene expression.

In a distinct part, the course is focused on recent molecular aspects of genome integrity maintenance and novel challenges to edit faulty genes.
This part of the course is organized with theoretical lectures to introduce specific arguments, followed by more interactive lectures (Journal club) in which groups of students present and discuss selected papers from recent literature. These interactive lectures aim to stimulate student curiosity and skill to deal with specific molecular questions.
Specific arguments are:
- keys factors and mechanisms of the DNA repair and DNA damage checkpoint pathways;
- recombination mechanisms that drive genome rearrangements and instability;
-molecular perspective to understand cancer development and treatment;
-novel tools for repairing mutations and gene therapy.


REFERENCE MATERIAL
Scientific papers and reviews will be indicated during the course.



PREREQUISITES AND EXAMINATION PROCEDURES
Good knowledge of Molecular Biology, Genetics and Biochemistry is required.
Written exam (open questions).
During the course, students will be also evaluated for the presentation and discussion of specific articles that will be selected.



RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITES
none


TEACHING METHODS
Traditional theoretical lectures supported by slides and more interactive lectures with open discussion on selected aspects (Journal club).
Regular attendance is strongly suggested.


LANGUAGE
English.


PROGRAM INFORMATION
Copies of the slides used during the lectures will be available through the Ariel platform.