The objective of the course is to provide basic knowledge on the most important analytical separative techinques used for the characterization and analysis of drugs produced by biotechnological processes. Students will learn how to study the structure of a complex mocule such as a biological drug, by applying consolidated and innovative analytical techniques, and will be able to select the best analytical approach based on the physico-chemical properties of the drug and the investigation objective. Through journal clubs and scientific paper reading, students will also learn to understand and critically evaluate the scientific literature in the field.
Prerequisiti
Basic concepts in Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Metodi didattici
The course is taught through frontal lectures. PowerPoint presentations will be used. Journal clubs and scientific paper reading will be used to deepen some aspects.
Verifica Apprendimento
The exam consists in a written test performed on Kirotesting platform. The questionnaire is composed of 3 open questions and 8 among close-ended questions and excerzises.
Testi
Scientific papers and material reworked by the teacher will be available online on the KIRO page of the course.
Contenuti
The focus of the course is on the analytical techniques most commonly used for the characterization of biotechnological drugs. The first part focuses on liquid chromatography (LC) for protein and peptide analysis, and covers basics of LC, different chromatographic modes (reverse phase, hydrophilic interaction, hydrophobic interaction and ion exchange), stationary phases and technological advancements. The second part focuses on mass spectrometry (MS), and covers basics of MS, ion sources (ESI and MALDI), mass analysers and MS-based approaches for protein characterization (from amino acid sequence to 3D structrure). The acquired knowledge on LC and MS will be exploited to discuss the investigation of the critical quality attributes (CQAs) of biotechnological drugs and to critical evaluate scientific papers.
