Biomolecular Methods Laboratory
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Over the last few years, research has faced an impressive advancement in experimental methods. This course intends to expose the students to a large number of techniques in order to build a solid knowledge on the wide variety of available experimental tools. The course aims to equip students with a detailed understanding and knowledge of the molecular principles underlying the advanced techniques currently used in research laboratories. Students will acquire a deep knowledge on the molecular strategies adopted to purify and sequence nucleic acids. The course will provide the theoretical principles on which the techniques discussed in class are based, and the practical and technical details on the main biochemical techniques such as electrophoresis, chromatography and in vitro techniques that use antibodies. Students will also develop a better understanding of the experimental strategies applied to genome manipulation.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will benefit from this course by becoming competent in identifying the most appropriate techniques to use for their research purposes during their Master-thesis internship.
Exposing the students to a large number of techniques, currently used in research, will help them to build a solid background toward the most basic methodological tools, acquiring the competence to identify the most appropriate experimental strategy to use for their research purposes. Students will learn both the theoretical principles on which the techniques discussed in class are based, and the practical and technical details on the main biochemical techniques such as electrophoresis, chromatography and in vitro techniques that use antibodies. Students will also develop a better understanding of the experimental strategies applied to genome manipulation.
Exposing the students to a large number of techniques, currently used in research, will help them to build a solid background toward the most basic methodological tools, acquiring the competence to identify the most appropriate experimental strategy to use for their research purposes. Students will learn both the theoretical principles on which the techniques discussed in class are based, and the practical and technical details on the main biochemical techniques such as electrophoresis, chromatography and in vitro techniques that use antibodies. Students will also develop a better understanding of the experimental strategies applied to genome manipulation.
Lesson period: year
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
Course syllabus
The course aims to equip students with a detailed understanding and knowledge of the molecular principles underlying the advanced techniques currently used in research laboratories, exposing students to a large number of techniques in order to build a solid knowledge on the wide variety of available experimental tools. Students will acquire a deep knowledge on the molecular strategies adopted to purify and sequence nucleic acids, the technical details on the main biochemical techniques such as electrophoresis, chromatography and in vitro techniques that use antibodies. Students will also develop a better understanding of the experimental strategies applied to genome manipulation.
Manipulation of cell cultures (transfection) and animal models (transgenic animals) will also be part of the course.
The course aims to equip students with a detailed understanding and knowledge of the molecular principles underlying the advanced techniques currently used in research laboratories, exposing students to a large number of techniques in order to build a solid knowledge on the wide variety of available experimental tools. Students will acquire a deep knowledge on the molecular strategies adopted to purify and sequence nucleic acids, the technical details on the main biochemical techniques such as electrophoresis, chromatography and in vitro techniques that use antibodies. Students will also develop a better understanding of the experimental strategies applied to genome manipulation.
Manipulation of cell cultures (transfection) and animal models (transgenic animals) will also be part of the course.
Prerequisites for admission
Prerequisites for admission
A good knowledge of molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics is required.
A good knowledge of molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics is required.
Teaching methods
Teaching methods
Lessons will be based on powerpoint presentations and interactive discussions. Students will be stimulated to critically analyze the techniques that will be explained and try to understand which experimental strategies to use in different cases.
Lessons will be based on powerpoint presentations and interactive discussions. Students will be stimulated to critically analyze the techniques that will be explained and try to understand which experimental strategies to use in different cases.
Teaching Resources
Teaching Resources
Powerpoint presentations and lists of reference books will be made available through the Ariel website.
It is important to stress that the course is mainly based on the more used techniques in research laboratories.
Powerpoint presentations and lists of reference books will be made available through the Ariel website.
It is important to stress that the course is mainly based on the more used techniques in research laboratories.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment methods and Criteria
Two workshops will be held (one in May and one in September) during which students will select an innovative, methodological-based paper that, upon approval of the teachers, may be presented in the form of a Powerpoint presentation at the workshop. The workshop grade contributes to 30% of the final grade. A final, written laboratory report consisting of a short abstract and the Material and Methods section of the Master's Thesis, together with short summaries describing two seminars attended by the student, will form the bases for the final oral exam, that contributes to the remaining 70% of the final grade. Those who do not give a Workshop presentation can obtain a maximum final grade of 27.
Two workshops will be held (one in May and one in September) during which students will select an innovative, methodological-based paper that, upon approval of the teachers, may be presented in the form of a Powerpoint presentation at the workshop. The workshop grade contributes to 30% of the final grade. A final, written laboratory report consisting of a short abstract and the Material and Methods section of the Master's Thesis, together with short summaries describing two seminars attended by the student, will form the bases for the final oral exam, that contributes to the remaining 70% of the final grade. Those who do not give a Workshop presentation can obtain a maximum final grade of 27.
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY - University credits: 3
BIO/11 - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY - University credits: 3
BIO/18 - GENETICS - University credits: 3
BIO/11 - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY - University credits: 3
BIO/18 - GENETICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 24 hours
Lessons (seminars): 48 hours
Lessons (seminars): 48 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
tuesday 11.30-12.30, by appointment via email
7C
Reception:
Upon request
Towerblock 5B, Dep. Biosciences, Via celoria 26, 20133