Experimental Design
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Students will learn to:
- Design and execute state-of-the-art experiments using cell and molecular biology techniques for Omics approaches
- Discuss the technological potential and limits of utilized techniques
- Explain what type of questions can be addressed with Omics approaches
- Design proper experiments based on the specific medical or biological questions
- Carry out trouble-shooting and development of alternative experiments
- Interpret and report results from various technologies (data analyses)
- Design and execute state-of-the-art experiments using cell and molecular biology techniques for Omics approaches
- Discuss the technological potential and limits of utilized techniques
- Explain what type of questions can be addressed with Omics approaches
- Design proper experiments based on the specific medical or biological questions
- Carry out trouble-shooting and development of alternative experiments
- Interpret and report results from various technologies (data analyses)
Expected learning outcomes
Students will gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience in designing and performing well-controlled experiments. Key competences will include the ability to design experiments, manage work flow, analyze and interpret data and devise new strategies for further development in molecular and cell biology. Training activities will provide specific skills for the interpretation of results.
Lesson period: First 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
Course syllabus
· Principle of experimental design
· Basic principles of biochemical approaches
· Working with antibodies
· Immunoblot, immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence
· Studying DNA/RNA/proteins complexes
· Mass spectrometry/metabolomics approaches and design
· Gender in experimental design
· Introduction to experimental cell model systems
· Organoid matrigel cultures
· Culture and differentiation of immortal pluripotent stem cells (iPS)
· Procedure to manipulate cells
· Cell-based assays: proliferation assays
· Cell-based assays: migration and invasion assays
· Matrigel morphogenetic assays in vitro/ex vivo
· In vivo tumorigenic and metastatic assays
· Summary of major concepts and strategies with practical examples
· HTS approaches
· Single cell approaches
· Principles of statistics
· Basic principles of biochemical approaches
· Working with antibodies
· Immunoblot, immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence
· Studying DNA/RNA/proteins complexes
· Mass spectrometry/metabolomics approaches and design
· Gender in experimental design
· Introduction to experimental cell model systems
· Organoid matrigel cultures
· Culture and differentiation of immortal pluripotent stem cells (iPS)
· Procedure to manipulate cells
· Cell-based assays: proliferation assays
· Cell-based assays: migration and invasion assays
· Matrigel morphogenetic assays in vitro/ex vivo
· In vivo tumorigenic and metastatic assays
· Summary of major concepts and strategies with practical examples
· HTS approaches
· Single cell approaches
· Principles of statistics
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of chemistry and biochemistry. Notions on the nature and structure of proteins. Basic knowledge of principles of molecular biology of the cell, including mechanisms of DNA replication and regulation of gene expression.
Teaching methods
Lectures will be accompanied by hands-on laboratory work, during which the experiments carried out in the laboratory session will reinforce the concepts presented in the lectures.
Live discussions and questions during lecture and tutorials are encouraged.
Live discussions and questions during lecture and tutorials are encouraged.
Teaching Resources
Slides and scientific material provided during lectures
Assessment methods and Criteria
Given the highly interactive nature of the course, which includes practical laboratory activities, it is essential to attend lessons regularly. Students who have followed at least 80% of the course are considered attending.
The overall assessment of the students will be based on their performance in an oral examination. The exam will consist of the discussion of 2-3 general topics, selected among those discussed during the course. Students will be also asked to comment on an experimental paper selected among those presented during the course.
The overall assessment of the students will be based on their performance in an oral examination. The exam will consist of the discussion of 2-3 general topics, selected among those discussed during the course. Students will be also asked to comment on an experimental paper selected among those presented during the course.
BIO/11 - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
BIO/13 - EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
BIO/13 - EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Educational website(s)