Multilevel computational modelling of human diseases

The course has the aim of providing to the students the state-of-art information about two central topics about numerical/quantitative modelling methodologies in the realm of molecular biotechnologies:

a. the computational and experimental characterization of biomolecular interactions;
b. the analysis of cell-based "omics" data in the context of human diseases.

These two topics have the purpose of covering the roots of the molecular interpretation of human diseases and, at the same time, of instructing the students about the choice of the right technologies that can be used according to the type and the level of details required. This will be exemplified by the instructors by means of an alternation of frontal lectures and hands-on practicals.

The expected learning outcomes at the end of the course will primarily consist of:
a. an understanding of the physico-chemical description of molecular recognition in biosystems;
b. an understanding of the most suitable modelling techniques for describing and interpreting biophysical data at atomic and molecular level;
c. a comprehension of the most relevant features of next generation sequencing techniques and analysis;
d. the ability to understand their potentiality according to scientific and medical requirements.
Students are expected to develop the ability to critically evaluate and comprehend modern and quantitative molecular-based biotechnological information, also through a correct and well-balanced bibliographic research process.
The combination of theoretical lessons and hands-on practicals has the aim to reinforce the sensibility towards formal and practical aspects of these methodologies. Aside the technical entry-level proficiency, this will provide to the students the correct language to communicate their needs and requirements in a job environment and, consequently, the potential to create the correct network of collaborations around them according to the needs of projects in which they will be involved in during their professional life.