Etiopathogenesis of hereditary and parasitic diseases

A.A. 2025/2026
6
Crediti massimi
48
Ore totali
SSD
AGR/17 VET/06
Lingua
Inglese
Obiettivi formativi
The educational objective of the course is to introduce the students to the principles and methods of high-throughput genomic tools that are applied in research and diagnostics both in Academia and in Companies. Basics of the eukaryotic variability detection and function and mechanisms and types of machinery of inherited and parasitic diseases will also be provided. Some host-parasite molecular mechanisms of interaction will also be considered. The course will also illustrate the spontaneous and experimental animal models for the understanding of the genetic and pathogenetic basis of parasitic diseases.
Risultati apprendimento attesi
1. Knowledge and understanding. At the end of the course, the student must demonstrate knowledge of: -knowledge of the principles of the construction of linkage and physical maps - knowledge of the main tools available for nucleotide sequencing both Sanger and high-throughput genome sequencing -knowledge of the main tools for high-throughput genotyping both by hybridization and sequencing - basic knowledge of gene mapping using genome-wide association analysis. Advanced analytical techniques for the study of the molecular mechanisms of parasitic diseases, for the understanding of the pathogenetic basis of parasitic diseases, and the selection of parasite-specific targets for disease control; 2. Immunopathology of parasitic diseases and parasitic strategies of immune response modulation and evasion; 3 Molecular mechanisms of resistance and sensitivity to parasitic diseases such as varroatosis, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis, and neosporosis in primary animal models and/or final animal hosts.
2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. The students are expected to develop proper skills in understanding the terminology and the research approaches of molecular genetics and genomics, and molecular pathology of parasitic diseases, used in science and reported in scientific publications - understand which tools might be the most appropriate for a high-throughput nucleotide sequencing and/or genotyping analysis, together with their pros and cons - understand which tools might be the most appropriate for an association study for different diseases, and which might be the limits and the power -understand which are the main molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between the parasites and their hosts - understand which are the main molecular determinants of parasitic diseases in the host and the most useful tools for their control
3. Autonomy of judgment and 4. Ability to communicate what has been learned. The student will demonstrate that he/she can critically argue the information acquired and communicate it during the written examination test. Indeed, the test always includes rather broad specialist topics regarding the programs of both modules. The development of the answers requires that the student has both knowledge of the topics and the ability to rework and present the answers (in English) critically.
Corso singolo

Questo insegnamento non può essere seguito come corso singolo. Puoi trovare gli insegnamenti disponibili consultando il catalogo corsi singoli.

Programma e organizzazione didattica

Edizione unica

Periodo
Secondo semestre

Programma
Genomic analysis of inherited diseases (Prof.Longeri)
LECTURES:
- Linkage and physical maps (2h).
- Databases for genome assemblies and annotations, Whole genome reference sequences (1h)
- Nucleic acids sequencing: Sanger vs high throughput genome-wide methods (3 h)
- Genome-wide variability detection and principle of SNP selection for microarray (1h)
- High throughput genotyping by Sequencing (1h)
- High throughput genotyping by hybridization (microarray) (1h)
- Linkage/Association models and analyses using genome-wide SNP genotypes (GWAS) (2h)
- Genomic variability and mapping of parasite resistance genes (1 hs)

PRACTICALS:
- Design of a genotyping assay from bibliographic data (in silico PCR, practice on Sanger sequences and genomic databases and genome browsers (UCSC, NCBI, Ensembl) (4h).
Genome browsers for visualization and variant detection in whole genome sequences (3h)
Genome-wide association analysis (using p-link and R studio) (3h)
- Visits to research and service centres equipped with high-throughput platforms when available or Journal clubs on gene mapping and identification of genes important in inherited and parasitic diseases (2h).

Molecular pathology of parasitic diseases (Prof.Mortarino).
LECTURES:
Unit 1 - Leishmaniasis: immunopathological mechanisms and primary animal models (4hs)
Unit 2 - Role of individual and social honey bee immunity in the host-parasite interplay (2hs)
Unit 3 - Moonlighting proteins of parasites as determinants of host colonization (2hs)
Unit 4 - Neospora and Toxoplasma - genetic determinants of host specificity and immunopathology (2hs)
Unit 5 - Drug targets of parasites - insights from genome mining and biological pathways analysis (2hs)
PRACTICALS:
Unit 1 - MicroRNA web resources (4hs)
Unit 2 - MicroRNA analysis - RNA extraction and retrotranscription (4hs)
Unit 3 - MicroRNA analysis - Quantitation (4hs)
Prerequisiti
No specific prerequisites are required.
Metodi didattici
Lectures and practical sessions (the latter consisting of computer activities, visits to external labs, and seminars)
Materiale di riferimento
Course materials will be uploaded on myARIEL platform.
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
Written examination: The test consists of open-ended texts and multiple-choice questions concerning the topics of both Units. The student must pass both Units on the same day. The exam will be held in Lodi, in a computer lab and using the platform UNIMI Moodle. The exam will last 80 minutes. The evaluation will consider the quality and the accuracy of the student's open-ended text answers, including the adequate motivation of statements and analyses.
AGR/17 - ZOOTECNICA GENERALE E MIGLIORAMENTO GENETICO - CFU: 3
VET/06 - PARASSITOLOGIA E MALATTIE PARASSITARIE DEGLI ANIMALI - CFU: 3
Esercitazioni: 24 ore
Lezioni: 24 ore
Turni:
1 turno per un gruppo di studenti
Docente: Mortarino Michele
2 turno per un gruppo di studenti
Docente: Mortarino Michele
turno unico per tutti gli studenti
Docente: Mortarino Michele
Docente/i
Ricevimento:
Su appuntamento da prendere via e-mail
Lodi Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali - III piano, st.3090
Ricevimento:
Mercoledì 11.00-12.00
DIVAS - Lodi Via Dell'Università 6