Biotechnology 1 and Biotechnology 2

MODULE: BIOTECHNOLOGY 1

- INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY
Brief history of biotechnology; principles of molecular biology; potential fields of application of biotechnology.

- DNA AND GENETIC INFORMATION
DNA structure and function; mechanisms of DNA replication and repair.


- GENES AND GENE EXPRESSION
Organization of genes; RNA structure and function; RNA transcription; translation and protein synthesis.

REGULATION OF GENE EXPRESSION

Levels of regulation in prokaryotes and eukariotes; function of genetic elements; gene and epigenetic regulation.

- PROTEIN PROCESSING
Protein structure and folding; protein fate; post-translational modifications.

- HORIZONTAL GENE TRANSFER
Transformation, conjugation and transduction; plasmids and constructive elements; bacteria and bacteriophages.

- NUCLEIC ACID EXTRACTION AND AMPLIFICATION
Sampling; DNA and RNA extraction and storage; polymerase chain reaction; principles of gel electrophoresis for nucleic acids; measurement and detection.

- RECOMBINANT DNA TECHNOLOGY
Molecular tools for DNA cloning; design and use of plasmid vectors; culture, transformation and selection of bacteria; principles of gene sequencing.

- GENOMES


Cloning vectors; generation and selection of DNA libraries; genome sequencing; microarray technologies; bioinformatics and sequence analysis.


- EXPRESSION OF RECUMBINANT PROTEINS
Expression vectors; cellular systems for protein expression; site directed mutagenesis; fusion proteins and peptides; reporter constructs; purification of recombinant proteins; detection methods; transfection in mammalian cells; gain and loss of function experiments.

MODULE 2: BIOTECHNOLOGY 2

- PRODUCTION OF BIOTECHNOLOGICAL DRUGS
Therapeutic proteins; industrial production of biotechnological products; monoclonal antibodies.

- TRANSGENIC ANIMALS
Generation of transgenic animals; genotyping and selection; transgenic animals as biofermenters for biotechnological drugs; conditional and inducible knock-out mice.

- VIRAL VECTORS AND GENE THERAPY
Features and mechanisms of infection of natural viruses; use and safety of viral vectors; gene therapy.

- BIOTECHNOLOGY AND COVID-19
Feature of the SARS-CoV2 coronavirus; detection in biofluids and environmental samples; vaccines.

- PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGIES
Artificial selection; hybridization and induced mutagenesis; plant cultures in vitro; generation of genetically modified plants; biofortification and production of functional foods; agri-food products; detection of plant GMO in environment and food.

- MICROORGANISMS AND ENVIRONMENT
Microorganisms and mechanisms of biodegradation; degrading plasmids and genes in bioremediation; biosensors and environmental monitoring; metagenomics and microbic communities; identification of useful enzymes in industry; diffusion chambers.

- BIOTECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE BIOENERGIES
Development of renewable energy sources from biomasses; biofuels; potential of microalgae.