ID:
503205
Duration (hours):
48
CFU:
6
SSD:
GENETICA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Primo Semestre (24/09/2025 - 16/01/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The course Microbial Genetics and Biotechnology aims to provide students with advanced knowledge of microbial genetics and its main biotechnological applications.
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
Know the organization of the microbial genome (chromosomes and plasmids), the mechanisms of genetic exchange between bacteria, and the main systems regulating gene expression.
Understand the genetic and molecular tools used for engineering microbial hosts for the production of industrially relevant molecules.
Apply this knowledge to industrial processes for the production of proteins and compounds in prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms.
Critically analyze scientific papers and patents, communicate results effectively, and keep up-to-date independently with innovations in the biotechnological sector.
These skills will enable the student to operate with autonomy and responsibility in research and development contexts, as well as within biotechnology companies.
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
Know the organization of the microbial genome (chromosomes and plasmids), the mechanisms of genetic exchange between bacteria, and the main systems regulating gene expression.
Understand the genetic and molecular tools used for engineering microbial hosts for the production of industrially relevant molecules.
Apply this knowledge to industrial processes for the production of proteins and compounds in prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms.
Critically analyze scientific papers and patents, communicate results effectively, and keep up-to-date independently with innovations in the biotechnological sector.
These skills will enable the student to operate with autonomy and responsibility in research and development contexts, as well as within biotechnology companies.
Course Prerequisites
In order to understand the topics covered in the course, the students must have good knowledge of Genetics, Molecular Biology and Microbiology, as usually acquired during a Bachelor's Degree in Biology or Biotechnology. In particular, the following notions must have been previously acquired: DNA structure, replication and recombination; structure and functions of the bacterial cell and organization of genetic material in prokaryotes; mutations as a tool for genetic analysis; transcription (prokaryotic RNA-polymerase, promoters and terminators) and translation; general aspects of regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes; basic techniques of molecular biology (PCR, DNA cloning, electrophoresis).
Teaching Methods
The course combines traditional lectures with interactive learning activities. Lectures are supported by PowerPoint presentations, which are made available to students through the KIRO Moodle platform. At the conclusion of each topic, small-group exercises will be conducted to consolidate understanding and encourage critical engagement with the subject matter. In addition to the core reference texts, selected articles, reviews, and patents will be used to provide in-depth insights and up-to-date perspectives on the topics covered. All teaching materials presented during the lectures will be accessible via the KIRO platform. The course also includes guest seminars delivered by: a) a senior AIRC researcher, who will examine the role of the microbiota in cancer development; b) a leading academic expert in the field of biotechnological innovation, with a focus on patentability within the European regulatory framework.
Assessment Methods
Learning will be assessed through an oral exam consisting of two parts: the presentation of a research article and an interview on the topics covered in the lectures.
A) Presentation of a research article: the selected article must be an original research paper (no reviews or case studies), chosen by the student and relevant to a topic covered during the course. The chosen article must be approved by the teachers at least 15 days before the exam date. For the presentation, the student will have 20 minutes and must use a PowerPoint presentation. This part of the exam will assess the student's ability to understand, analyze, and critically present a research article.
B) The interview will include questions related to the presented article and the topics covered during the course. The interview aims to verify the competencies acquired regarding the course content.
The final grade, expressed on a scale of thirty, will be based on the student's ability to critically analyze a scientific work and their understanding of the fundamental concepts of bacterial genetics, which are essential for developing biotechnological applications. The evaluation will also consider the student's ability to use appropriate scientific language.
A) Presentation of a research article: the selected article must be an original research paper (no reviews or case studies), chosen by the student and relevant to a topic covered during the course. The chosen article must be approved by the teachers at least 15 days before the exam date. For the presentation, the student will have 20 minutes and must use a PowerPoint presentation. This part of the exam will assess the student's ability to understand, analyze, and critically present a research article.
B) The interview will include questions related to the presented article and the topics covered during the course. The interview aims to verify the competencies acquired regarding the course content.
The final grade, expressed on a scale of thirty, will be based on the student's ability to critically analyze a scientific work and their understanding of the fundamental concepts of bacterial genetics, which are essential for developing biotechnological applications. The evaluation will also consider the student's ability to use appropriate scientific language.
Texts
Henkin T. M., Peters E. Snyder and Champness Molecular Genetics of Bacteria, 5th Edition. 2020. ASM Press, Washington. ISBN: 978-1-555-81975-0
Brown T. A. Biotecnologie molecolari, Principi e tecniche, 3rd Italian edition (8th English edition). 2022. Zanichelli, Bologna. ISBN: 9788808320964
Dehò G., Galli E. Biologia dei microrganismi Terza edizione. 2018. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano. ISBN: 9788808186232
All books are freely accessible, including online, via the University Library System.
The material presented by the Professor during lectures will be made available on the Kiro platform (http://elearning2.unipv.it/bio/) according to the guidelines established by the University.
Brown T. A. Biotecnologie molecolari, Principi e tecniche, 3rd Italian edition (8th English edition). 2022. Zanichelli, Bologna. ISBN: 9788808320964
Dehò G., Galli E. Biologia dei microrganismi Terza edizione. 2018. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano. ISBN: 9788808186232
All books are freely accessible, including online, via the University Library System.
The material presented by the Professor during lectures will be made available on the Kiro platform (http://elearning2.unipv.it/bio/) according to the guidelines established by the University.
Contents
Origins and evolution of life. The Microbiota. Origins of bacterial genetics: origin and inheritance of mutations. Bacterial chromosomes: structure, replication, segregation. Plasmids and their properties. Cloning vectors for bacterial and eukaryotic cells. Regulation of gene expression in bacteria and its global analysis: operons and regulons. Horizontal gene transfer in bacteria: transformation, conjugation, transduction (generalized and specialized). Bacteriophages: lytic cycle and lysogeny. The Lambda paradigm. Lysogenic conversion and active lysogeny. Bacterial defense systems against phage infection and viral responses. The CRISPR Cas system and new genome editing techniques. Production of recombinant proteins in prokaryotic cells: bacteria of the genus Bacillus. Differentiation in Bacillus subtilis: phosphorelay systems, sporulation, competence, and motility. The stringent response. Genetic tools for strain construction. Optimization of production in Bacillus: improvement of protein secretion and industrial enzyme secretion, random or designed mutagenesis based on genomic, proteomic, or single-cell studies. Production of recombinant proteins in eukaryotic cells. Production of proteins by fermentation. Metabolic pathway engineering. Patents and patentability.
Course Language
Italian
More information
For the categories of students identified by the innovative teaching project, whose main aspects are published on the University portal, inclusive teaching methods will be implemented and provided ad hoc.
Degrees
Degrees
ADVANCED BIOTECHNOLOGY
Master’s Degree
2 years
No Results Found
People
People (2)
Teaching staff
No Results Found