ID:
502269
Duration (hours):
72
CFU:
6
SSD:
BIOLOGIA APPLICATA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 12/06/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The aim of the course is to provide the students with the basic theoretical and practical tools required to work in a laboratory and, in particular, to learn the main biomolecular methods: DNA purification and manipulation; purification, biochemical characterization and crystallization of proteins; analysis and graphical representaion of biomolecules by bioinformatics tools. The ultimate goal is to provide students with the tools to apply biomolecular techniques to carry out a given experiment and to be able to critically analyze data and elaborate hypotheses on the specific subject that was the subject of the experiment.
Course Prerequisites
The course is based on the application of methods described in the courses Biochemistry and Molecular Biology held in the second year. Therefore, to better follow and understand the practicals it is fundamental that the student has already studied the above mentioned courses.
Teaching Methods
Short lectures to introduce the topics, followed by practicals.
Assessment Methods
At the end of the course the students will have to make a test with open questions on the lab activities.
Texts
The course is aimed at working in the lab: attending the lectures (mandatory for at least 75% of total hours) guarantees the acquisition of knowledge necessary to pass the exam. However, books used for the courses of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology can be used for review and follow-up.
Contents
The program is divided into several parts so that students experiment with various laboratory techniques in a scientifically logical order.
First part: bacterial genomic DNA extraction; restriction digestion of genomic and plasmid DNA; DNA gel electrophoresis; generation of restriction map; cloning of pyruvate kinase cDNA in an expression vector.
Second part: preparation of buffer solution and pH measurement; usage of chromatographic techniques to purify pyruvate kinase; protein gel electrophoresis; enzymatic assays.
Third part: crystallization experiments of lysozime by different techniques; analysis of the results and phase diagram determination; Fourth part: computational structural biology: computer practicals using softwares for determination and analysis of three-dimensional structures of pyruvate kinase and other biological macromolecules.
First part: bacterial genomic DNA extraction; restriction digestion of genomic and plasmid DNA; DNA gel electrophoresis; generation of restriction map; cloning of pyruvate kinase cDNA in an expression vector.
Second part: preparation of buffer solution and pH measurement; usage of chromatographic techniques to purify pyruvate kinase; protein gel electrophoresis; enzymatic assays.
Third part: crystallization experiments of lysozime by different techniques; analysis of the results and phase diagram determination; Fourth part: computational structural biology: computer practicals using softwares for determination and analysis of three-dimensional structures of pyruvate kinase and other biological macromolecules.
Course Language
Italian
More information
Students are required to bring a lab coat to wear during the experiments. In the fourth part, students will use their own laptops to run molecular graphics softwares for visualization. For students who certify that they are in one of the categories indicated by the University (disabled, workers, etc.) the teachers will be able to provide support based on what is indicated by the University, but in any case the laboratory course still provides direct contact and support with students because it provides for compulsory attendance of at least 75% of the hours.
Degrees
Degrees
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
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People
People (3)
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