ID:
500727
Duration (hours):
48
CFU:
6
SSD:
BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 12/06/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The objective of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive and updated overview of advanced molecular biology concepts and methods through the study of the molecular mechanisms of cellular innate immunity and cellular responses to stress in the context gene therapies, viral infections, tissue homeostasis and pathological conditions including cancer and inflammatory diseases.
This knowledge will then allow the participants to interactively explore strategies to harness nucleic acid sensing for therapeutic purposes in different disease settings through interactive lessons, working in small groups on problem solving, critical analysis of the most recent advances in the field and the preparation of a small research proposal.
In addition, students will learn the use and comprehension of scientific English, critically evaluate the scientific literature and how to apply the knowledge acquired in the most advanced molecular biology methods to their laboratory practice and research activity.
This knowledge will then allow the participants to interactively explore strategies to harness nucleic acid sensing for therapeutic purposes in different disease settings through interactive lessons, working in small groups on problem solving, critical analysis of the most recent advances in the field and the preparation of a small research proposal.
In addition, students will learn the use and comprehension of scientific English, critically evaluate the scientific literature and how to apply the knowledge acquired in the most advanced molecular biology methods to their laboratory practice and research activity.
Course Prerequisites
Students should be aware of the fundamentals of molecular biology: structure of nucleic acids and proteins, general mechanisms of DNA replication, transcription, translation, and techniques of molecular biology.
Teaching Methods
Lectures, Interactive teamwork in small groups, Discussions with students, problem solving, presentation of a scientific project
Assessment Methods
Qualification will be achieved by successfully passing the written exam in which knowledge of the studied topics will be assessed through multiple choice questions and open questions, covering all topics. In addition, the capacity to logically reason and build upon this knowledge in different contexts and the performance in the context of the interactive sessions of problem solving and teamwork in terms of understanding the research goals, experimental procedures and results published in a relevant research paper presented by the student and communicating the acquired novel knowledge by means of specific scientific language will be assessed.
Texts
- "Gene Therapy”, Mauro Giacca, Springer, 2010.
- Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition) Albert B. et al.
- Essential Cell Biology, B. Alberts et al. 5th Edition Norton & C.
- Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition) Albert B. et al.
- Essential Cell Biology, B. Alberts et al. 5th Edition Norton & C.
Contents
This course concerns the molecular mechanisms underlying innate immune and cellular stress responses in mammalian cells in different physiological, pathological and therapeutic contexts. Main topics are:
Specific subjects include:
- Molecular mechanisms of innate immune sensing of nucleic acids
-Molecular mechanisms of antiviral restriction
-Principles of Gene Therapy
- Molecular Biology of Genetic Engineering (Gene addition, editing, silencing)
- Molecular Biology of Viral Vectors
. Advanced Molecular Biology Tools, Methods, and applications
- Mechanisms of Nucleic Acid Sensing and Innate Immunity in: Infectious Diseases, Stem Cells and Cancer, Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases
- Interactive lessons on the Identification and Design of a therapeutic approach towards a disease
Specific subjects include:
- Molecular mechanisms of innate immune sensing of nucleic acids
-Molecular mechanisms of antiviral restriction
-Principles of Gene Therapy
- Molecular Biology of Genetic Engineering (Gene addition, editing, silencing)
- Molecular Biology of Viral Vectors
. Advanced Molecular Biology Tools, Methods, and applications
- Mechanisms of Nucleic Acid Sensing and Innate Immunity in: Infectious Diseases, Stem Cells and Cancer, Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases
- Interactive lessons on the Identification and Design of a therapeutic approach towards a disease
Course Language
Italian
More information
Inclusive participation will be offered ad hoc to students as necessary. Students will contact the teachers by e-mail to set up online or in person appointments.
Degrees
Degrees
EXPERIMENTAL AND APPLIED BIOLOGY
Master’s Degree
2 years
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People
People
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