Biotechnology in Pharmacology | Università degli Studi di Milano Statale

A.Y. 2024/2025

Max ECTS

Overall hours

SSD

BIO/13 BIO/14

Language

Italian

Included in the following degree programmes

Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (Classe LM-9)-Enrolled from 2024/25 Academic Year

Learning objectives

The teaching unit of experimental biology aims at providing the bases for understanding the use of cells as a model for the identification of new drug targets and as therapies for human diseases.

The teaching unit of pharmacology aims at deepening the students' knowledge on the pharmacology of biotechnological drugs used in therapy and at consolidating their skills, also through practical education, on the use of cellular biotechnologies for the study and preclinical validation of innovative pharmacological targets and molecules.

Expected learning outcomes

At the end of the course the students will have acquired experimental biology skills on advanced cell cultures, cell therapies, gene transfer technologies, as well as theoretical and practical skills related with pharmacology and pharmacological biotechnology for research and development of innovative drugs. The students will also be able to apply the acquired knowledge to the identification and preclinical development of novel pharmacological targets, drugs and advanced cell therapies.

Lesson period: Second semester

Lessons timetable

Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi

Exams calendar

Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Take a single course

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible

Vegeto Elisabetta

Lesson period

Second semester

Syllabus
(active tab)
Course structure

Course syllabus

Experimental biology teaching unit (2 CFU)
1. Animal Cell Cultures. The culture of animal cells. How to culture cells from a tissue. The evolution of a culture: primary cultures, cell lines. Culture medium. Adherent cultures and suspension cultures.
2. Methods for Gene Transfer. Genetic manipulation of animal cells: principles and purposes. Transient and stable transfection. Methods to introduce genetic information into animal cells.
3. Applications of Cell Biology. Vectors for constitutive or regulated expression in mammalian cells. Reporter genes and selection markers. Studying gene function. Protein production. Fusion proteins. Studying localization. Studying the effects of mutations.
4. Methods for Gene Silencing. Gene silencing and knockout. RNA interference: mechanisms and applications. Small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression.
5. Genome Editing. Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs). Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs). CRISPR/Cas9 System.
6. Stem Cell Biology. Definition of stem cells. Embryonic, fetal, and tissue (somatic or adult) stem cells. Potency and plasticity of stem cells. Adult stem cells. Induced pluripotent stem cells: generation, characterization, and differentiation. 3D cultures - organoids.
7. In vitro High Throughput Screening. HTS methods to identify biologically active molecules. Cell-based screenings. Examples of drug repurposing based on cell models.
8. Therapeutic Use of Cells. Applications of stem cells: regenerative medicine and in vitro tissue production. CAR-T cells for cancer therapies.

Pharmacology teaching unit (6CFU)
1. Nucleic acid drugs
a. Biological activities and methods of study of natural RNAs of pharmacological interest: mRNA, miRNA, lncRNA, circRNA
b. Biological activities and methods of study of synthetic nucleotide polymers: aODN, siRNA, aptamers
c. Generation and methods of study of mRNA drugs: vaccines and replacement therapies
d. Pharmacokinetics, toxicology, functionalization and engineering
2. Recombinant proteins
a. Recombinant proteins and fusion proteins
b. Monoclonal antibodies and antibody derivatives: biology, production, engineering
c. Pharmacokinetics, toxicology, functionalization and engineering
3. Pharmacological biotechnology applied to the clinic
a. Oncological therapy
b. Immunosuppressive therapy
c. Immunostimulatory therapy
4. Biotechnology in the study of gene transcription drugs
a. Intracellular receptors
b. The study of protein-protein interactions and protein-DNA binding
c. Generation of cellular models
d. Generation of animal models
5. Biotechnology in preclinical research
a. Successful examples of biotechnological research in pharmacology with virtual exercises
6. Practical exercises in biotechnology in pharmacology
a. Transfection of cells grown in culture and analysis of the activity of reporter genes regulated by ligand-operated transcription factors following dose-response assays

Prerequisites for admission

Knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacology of the main classes of drugs used in the clinic

Teaching methods

Classroom-taught lessons and practical exercises

Teaching Resources

Slides, experimental protocols and all teaching material are available through the MyAriel website of the course.
Books:
· FARMACI BIOTECNOLOGICI. Aspetti farmacologici e clinici dei medicinali biotecnologici. Vegeto E, Maggi A, Minghetti P. CEA Editore
· FARMACOLOGIA GENERALE E MOLECOLARE. Clementi E, Fumagalli G. Edra Editore
· CULTURE OF ANIMAL CELLS: A MANUAL OF BASIC TECHNIQUE AND SPECIALIZED APPLICATIONS. Ian Freshney R. John wiley & sons, inc.

Assessment methods and Criteria

The experimental biology teaching unit exam consists of a written test comprising 10 multiple-choice questions (2 points for each correct answer and 0 points for each incorrect or unanswered question) and 1 open-ended question (up to 10 points). The test aims to: i) assess the level of knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in the lectures; ii) verify the ability to describe the topics clearly and, where required, using specific terms of the discipline.
The pharmacology teaching unit exam consists of an oral test, with the discussion of topics covered in class, and a written test, in the form of a scientific report of the practical exercises; both tests are aimed at verifying the objectives achievement, in terms of acquisition of knowledge and understanding of the subject, critical reasoning and narrative ability with appropriate vocabulary and metrics.
The final mark will consist of the weighted average, based on CFU, of the partial marks for the two didactic units.

BIO/13 - EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY - University credits: 2
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY - University credits: 6

Single bench laboratory practical: 32 hours
Lessons: 48 hours

Professors: Cristofani Riccardo Maria, Marangon Davide, Rzemieniec Joanna, Vegeto Elisabetta

Educational website(s)

Biotecnologie in farmacologia (of4) (a.a. 2024/25)

Professor(s)

Cristofani Riccardo Maria

Web site

Reception:

DiSFeB - via Balzaretti 9 - piano 4

Marangon Davide

Rzemieniec Joanna

Vegeto Elisabetta

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