Ethiopathogenesis of Hereditary and Parasitic Diseases

Genomic analysis of inherited diseases (Prof.Longeri)
LECTURES:
- Linkage and physical maps (2h).
- Databases for genome assemblies and annotations, Whole genome reference sequences (1h)
- Nucleic acids sequencing: Sanger vs high throughput genome-wide methods (3 h)
- Genome-wide variability detection and principle of SNP selection for microarray) (1h)
- High throughput genotyping by Sequencing (1h)
- High throughput genotyping by hybridization (microarray) (1h)
- Linkage/Association models and analyses using genome-wide SNP genotypes (GWAS) (2h)
- Genomic variability and mapping of parasite resistance genes (1 hs)

PRACTICALS:
- Design of a genotyping assay from bibliographic data (in silico PCR, practice on Sanger sequences and genomic databases and genome browsers (UCSC, NCBI, Ensembl) (2h).
Genome browsers for visualization and variant detection in whole genome sequences (4h)
Genome-wide association analysis (using p-link and R studio) (4h)
- Visits to research and service centres equipped with high-throughput platforms when available or Journal clubs on gene mapping and identification of genes important in inherited and parasitic diseases (2h).

Molecular pathology of parasitic diseases (Prof.Mortarino).
LECTURES:
Unit 1 - Leishmaniasis: immunopathological mechanisms and primary animal models (4hs)
Unit 2 - Role of individual and social honey bee immunity in the host-parasite interplay (2hs)
Unit 3 - Moonlighting proteins of parasites as determinants of host colonization (2hs)
Unit 4 - Neospora and Toxoplasma - genetic determinants of host specificity and immunopathology (2hs)
Unit 5 - Drug targets of parasites - insights from genome mining and biological pathways analysis (2hs)
PRACTICALS:
Unit 1 - MicroRNA web resources (4hs)
Unit 2 - MicroRNA analysis - RNA extraction and retrotranscription (4hs)
Unit 3 - MicroRNA analysis - Quantitation (4hs)