Biotechnology in Pharmacology and Biochemistry of Informational Macromolecules
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The module Biochemistry of informational macromolecules aims to deepen the knowledge of chemical structure, properties and functions of informational macromolecules (DNA, RNA and proteins), of molecular mechanisms that regulate the transmission and maintenance of information to better understand the functionality of individual genes and the genome, and to revisit basic principles and applications of the most commonly used methods in the laboratory to manipulate nucleic acids, isolate genes, and study their organization, expression and function.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course of Pharmacological Biotechnology and Biochemistry of informational macromolecules, the student will have acquired knowledge of innovative molecular biology methods applied to the research of new pharmacological targets and drug development. Furthermore, with the knowledge developed with this course, the student will have developed the necessary critical sense to be able to increase his knowledge by moving into the ever-widening world of biotechnology in the pharmacological field.
Lesson period: Second semester
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
Second semester
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of Pharmacology is an important aspect of adequately addressing the content provided in the teaching
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination will consist of a multiple-choice written test followed by an oral presentation of a scientific publication
Modulo: Biotecnologie farmacologiche
Course syllabus
Introduction to the course. The evolution of drug research and development in the pharmaceutical industry. Cost of pharmacological research and analysis of the reasons for the increasing increase in research and pharmacological development costs. The contributions of biotechnology to modern pharmacological research: use of biotechnology in preclinical research fields: optogenetics, transgenic mice. Use of biotechnology in the clinic, monoclonal antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates. Vaccines. Epigenetic drugs. Outline of new therapeutic strategies: nucleic acids as drugs, gene therapy, CAR-T, cell-mediated therapy.
Methodologies for transgenic animal characterization, nanoparticle synthesis and characterization will be applied in the practice exercises.
Methodologies for transgenic animal characterization, nanoparticle synthesis and characterization will be applied in the practice exercises.
Teaching methods
Frontal teaching and laboratory exercises
Teaching Resources
Slides upoladed on Ariel website
Modulo: Biochimica delle macromolecole informazionali
Course syllabus
- The concepts and principles underlying the structure and function of informational macromolecules, the main experimental approaches used in the study of informational macromolecules will be recalled.
- Some aspects and physio-pathological implications of: DNA topology, replication, DNA repair, gene transcription in eukaryotes, chromatin remodeling will be explored.
- Some aspects of the processes leading from the assembly of the transcriptional machinery to the protein will be explored: regulation of gene transcription, RNA processing, translation. Relevant cases in pathophysiology and examples of drug targets will be discussed.
In the discussion of topics, methodologies and experimental approaches used in recent studies will be described and critically commented on.
- Some aspects and physio-pathological implications of: DNA topology, replication, DNA repair, gene transcription in eukaryotes, chromatin remodeling will be explored.
- Some aspects of the processes leading from the assembly of the transcriptional machinery to the protein will be explored: regulation of gene transcription, RNA processing, translation. Relevant cases in pathophysiology and examples of drug targets will be discussed.
In the discussion of topics, methodologies and experimental approaches used in recent studies will be described and critically commented on.
Teaching methods
Frontal teaching
Teaching Resources
Slides uploaded on Ariel website
Modulo: Biochimica delle macromolecole informazionali
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY - University credits: 4
Lessons: 32 hours
Professor:
De Fabiani Emma Selina Rosa
Modulo: Biotecnologie farmacologiche
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY - University credits: 4
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Professors:
Gardoni Fabrizio, Ossoli Alice Federica
Professor(s)
Reception:
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and upon request via Microsoft Teams or email
Microsoft Teams
Reception:
Monday 9.00 a.m.
Via Balzaretti 9, DiSFeB