MEDICAL-PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

The objective of the course is to deepen the molecular biology basic knowledge tackling in detail the functional mechanisms of nuclear biomolecular processes. Furthermore, students will develop methodological instruments to be able to face molecular biology challenges in applied research.

The course deals with leading edge molecular biology principles and techniques and their application in biomedical research. The course will extensively review the genetic and epigenetic control of gene expression and will show how the transcriptomics and genomics data changed our understanding of these key aspects. The course will focus as well on the experimental methods that the biotechnological and biomedical research are currently developing to address these topics.

There will be an oral discussion on the themes treated during the frontal lessons with the teachers. Part of the final mark will derive from an oral (english) presentation students will be required to produce by discussing and deepening a topic treated during the theoretical lessons.

The preparation of the students and the skills developed during the course will be assessed by the teachers by demonstration of acquisition of problem-solving skills in advanced biomolecular research by answering to specific questions posed, dealing with both practical and theoretical problems/topics. Their level of knowledge and understanding will also be tested by an oral presentation for each student tackling a theme of interest picked among the topics treated during the theoretical lessons.

There are no specific texts, the program to be studied is contained in the lesson slides which can be downloaded from aulaweb.

On completion of the module, students will have achieved the following objectives and learning outcomes: Knowledge and understanding. Students will know and understand: the definitions of organism and model organism and the criteria guiding model choice; the concept, origin and validity of model organisms and the translatability of experimental results; the basic principles of animal body organization (symmetry, body cavities, protostomes and deuterostomes); the comparative functional anatomy of the main organ systems (integumentary, skeletal — both dermal skeleton and endoskeleton —, circulatory, respiratory, and the other systems addressed in class) across invertebrate and vertebrate groups; the concepts of homology, analogy, convergence and evolutionary parallelism; and the relationship between anatomy, phylogeny and functional adaptation. Applying knowledge and understanding. Students will be able to: describe and compare the anatomy of the main organ systems across different animal models in functional terms; relate anatomical structures to their function and to evolutionary adaptation; distinguish homologous from analogous structures and recognise their developmental and phylogenetic origin; and apply anatomical, functional and phylogenetic criteria to identify the model best suited to a specific research question. Making judgements. Students will be able to critically evaluate the strengths, limitations and translational relevance of an animal model on the basis of its anatomical and functional features, and to recognise when anatomical or phylogenetic differences — between a model and humans, or between different models — constrain the extrapolation of results. Communication skills. Students will be able to present anatomical, functional and evolutionary concepts clearly and rigorously, using appropriate scientific terminology in English, and to argue the rationale for the choice of a given model in oral discussion. Learning skills. Students will be able to integrate anatomical, functional and evolutionary information from textbooks and the primary literature, and to autonomously update their knowledge of animal models, providing a basis for the more applied and technological parts of the integrated course and for subsequent research activity.

Foundations. The concept of organism: phenomenal individuation, indivisibility, the organism as a living agent, the tripartite vision and the intergenerational life cycle, reproducer versus replicator, autonomy and degrees of organismality; ontogeny and phylogeny; morphological and functional plasticity. Principles of animal body organization: symmetry; protostomes and deuterostomes; body cavities (acoelomates, pseudocoelomates, coelomates). Homology and analogy: convergence and evolutionary parallelism. The model organism. Origin and meaning of the concept of model organism; translatability of experimental results; validity of the model and what model organisms represent. Comparative functional anatomy of the organ systems (invertebrates → vertebrates), in an evolutionary key:
Integumentary system: functions of the integument; integument of invertebrates and of vertebrates (epidermis and dermis). Skeletal system: bone tissue and its histology (osteons, lamellae); bone as an evolutionary novelty of vertebrates; the dermal skeleton (scales, dermal plates and osteoderms, with examples in fishes, crocodilians and turtles) and the endoskeleton (axial skeleton, ribs and sternum across groups; mammals); pharyngeal/branchial arches; cephalisation; evolution of the skull (anapsid, synapsid and diapsid conditions). Circulatory system: presence and organization across animal groups (open versus closed circulation; absence in Porifera and nematodes; annelids, arthropods, mollusks); development of the vertebrate circulatory system and heart; the heart tube and the aortic arches; comparative heart anatomy and circulatory dynamics across vertebrates (fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals); cellular components of the circulatory fluids; the lymphatic system. Respiratory system: gas-exchange strategies (cutaneous respiration, gills, tracheae, lungs); respiration in invertebrates (annelids, mollusks, arthropods/insects) and in non-vertebrate chordates; the pharynx and the pharyngeal pouches; respiration in fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds (parabronchi, air sacs, pneumatic bones) and mammals.

lectures are delivered in English and supported by slides, made available as PDF files on AulaWeb.

The aim of the course is to provide students with the essential informations necessaries to carry out experiments on laboratory animals. Particularly, wide information on different animal models and their usefulness are given. Additionally, all necessary indications on law dispositions about animal research and on animal welfare are specified. Furthermore, the students will learn all methodologies currently in use to create mutant animals, including new scientific approaches. Specific examples are illustrated.

L’insegnamento presenterà agli Studenti i concetti fondamentali della sperimentazione animale basata sulla progettazione e l’impiego di modelli sperimentali preclinici in ricerca traslazionale. Gli Studenti avranno modo di approfondire le conoscenze inerenti i diversi modelli animali, la loro anatomia e gli aspetti maggiormente rilevanti della biologia dello sviluppo, L’insegnamento fornirà inoltre specifiche informazioni sulla regolamentazione nazionale ed internazionale vigente e sui principi di preservazione e ottimizzazione del benessere animale. Gli studenti avranno modo di approfondire le conoscenze inerenti i diversi modelli animali e l’utilità del loro uso nel campo della medicina rigenerativa, della ricerca oncologica e delle neuroscienze.

L’esame prevede un colloquio con i Docenti responsabili di ciascuno insegnamento; le domande proposte verteranno su tutte le parti del programma svolto a lezione. Ciascun Docente inzierà la discussione con il candidato ponendo 2-3 domande inerenti gli argomenti fondamentali spiegati a lezione in modo da valutare la preparazione dello/a Studente/ssa e la capacità di analisi critica dei contenuti illustrati durante il corso.

L’organizzazione dell’esame vuole verificare che lo Studente abbia compreso i diversi modelli animali per ricerca sperimentale preclinica e le tecniche necessarie a generarli. Si vuole verificare che lo/a Studente/ssa abbia appreso correttamente i principali vantaggi e utilità dei modelli presentati e la normativa vigente in materia.
La capacità degli studenti di ricordare correttamente il significato di termini specifici e di correlare tali termini e concetti avverrà mediante domande di correlazione.

Students will acquire foundational knowledge in behavioral physiology and in the main techniques used for behavioral analysis, with applications in experimental models for studying sensory, motor, emotional, social, and cognitive domains, as well as their alterations under pathological conditions.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Critically analyze animal models and their potential applications;
Develop decision-making skills regarding the methodologies and techniques currently available for animal experimentation;
Compare and evaluate the different models studied in class and identify the most appropriate models for specific applications (including preclinical translational research, biotechnology, and neuroscience);
Confidently use specific scientific terminology;
Understand and apply current regulations concerning the protection and use of animal models in preclinical research and biotechnology.

Fundamentals of behavioural physiology, including ethological and physiological characteristics. Behavioural tests for the assessment of sensory, motor, anxiety-related, social, and cognitive domains across different models and their use in biomedical research. Experimental approaches and advanced techniques for the study of behaviour.

The exam for this course consists of an oral interview with the instructor(s). The questions will cover all parts of the program covered during the lectures. Each instructor will begin the discussion by asking the candidate 2-3 questions on fundamental topics explained in class to assess the student’s knowledge and critical analysis skills regarding the course content.

The exam is designed to verify that the student has understood the different animal models (both mammalian and non-mammalian) used in experimental research and the techniques required to generate them. It aims to assess whether the student has correctly learned the main advantages and applications of the presented models, as well as the relevant legislation in the field.
Students’ ability to accurately recall the meaning of specific terms and to relate these terms and concepts will be evaluated through correlation questions.

This class will offer a comprehensive view on the current state-of-the-art of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering to the undergraduate students, asking them to examine in depth specific topics in order to develop higher criticism skills.

This class will offer a comprehensive view on the current state-of-the-art of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering to the undergraduate students, asking them to examine in depth specific topics in order to develop higher criticism skills.

The final exam consists of the presentation of a recent scientific work on a topic related to the course.
The presentation will be accompanied by digitally processed slides.

The assessment of the knowledge and critical skills acquired will be evaluated with the preparation and critical commentary of the scientific work chosen by each of the students.

Alberts et al. - L'essenziale di biologia molecolare della cellula. Zanichelli Ed.

The course aims to provide key concepts of drug design and synthesis, with particular reference to innovative methodologies.

This course, taught in English, aims to provide students with the fundamental concepts of drug design and drug synthesis, with particular emphasis on innovative methodologies employed in modern drug discovery. Through the study of computer-aided rational drug design approaches and traditional and combinatorial synthetic strategies, students will gain an integrated overview of the principal techniques currently used in the discovery and development of novel bioactive molecules.

Assessment consists of an oral examination covering all topics discussed in both sections of the course.

The oral examination is designed to evaluate not only the student's knowledge and understanding of the course content but also their ability to critically apply this knowledge to problems related to drug design and synthesis. Discussion of case studies and examples presented during the course may be included in the examination.

The teacher will propose several papers from literature to integrate the topics discussed during the lessons.

This course will equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the morphogenetic, cellular, and molecular mechanisms that drive nervous system development in various invertebrate and vertebrate animals and in humans.

This course addresses advanced topics in the development of the nervous system, from early neural induction to synaptogenesis, across classical and non-conventional animal models. It integrates comparative neuroanatomy, molecular developmental biology and disease-relevant mechanisms. Understanding how the nervous system is built is an essential foundation for interpreting its dysfunction, and therefore for approaching the molecular basis of neurodevelopmental disorders and neurological disease from a biotechnological and biomedical perspective.

The exam consists of an oral examination comprising 2-3 questions covering the topics of the course. The typical duration is 20–30 minutes. The examination is conducted in English.
For students with DSA certification, disability or other special educational needs, University regulations apply: https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disabilita-normative

The oral exam assesses: accurate knowledge and understanding of the main cellular and molecular mechanisms of nervous system development; correct and autonomous use of scientific terminology; ability to explain and connect mechanisms across topics and animal models; ability to integrate course content with prior knowledge of biology, genetics and physiology; capacity to evaluate experimental approaches and reason about alternative hypotheses; logical structure and clarity of the answer.
Students who demonstrate active and reasoned participation in the Team-Based Learning sessions — contributing sound experimental reasoning and defending their choices with pertinent arguments — will receive a bonus of +1 point on the final grade. The Open Badges for collaborative competence, functional literacy and learning-to-learn (Competenza sociale — livello avanzato; Competenza alfabetica funzionale — livello avanzato; Capacità di imparare a imparare — livello avanzato) will be assigned to students who actively participate in the TBL sessions, as assessed by the lecturer on the basis of the quality of their contribution during group work.
When the minimum requirements are not met, the student is invited to deepen the study before re-sitting the exam; further explanations by the lecturer are available upon request.

Teaching materials (slides, scientific articles and reviews) are made available on the AulaWeb page of the course and constitute the primary reference for exam preparation.
The following textbooks can be used as supplementary references:
Luo - Principles of Neurobiology (2nd ed.), Garland Science
Bianchi - The Developing Brain and its Connections. CRC Press
Wolpert, Tickle, Martinez Arias - Principles of Development (6th ed.), Oxford University Press
Gilbert, Barresi - Developmental Biology (11th ed.), Sinauer Associates Inc.

The course provides the students with the basic concepts of the metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics. Besides describing the main Phase 1 and 2 reactions involved, the course deal with the latest in vivo and in vitro technologies used to study drug metabolism, as well as the main enzymatic systems responsible for these biotransformations.

Drugs Metabolism is the study that deals with the structural modification reactions that occur on a drug after its administration in the human body. These reactions can be classified into phase I and phase II and can be studied both in vivo and in vitro. This course also studies all the enzymes that catalyze phase I and phase II reactions, the factors that affect these reactions and the pharmacological and toxicological aspects arising from such biotransformation reactions.

The exam is written and will take place at the end of each lesson. The student must respond concisely, using appropriate technical terminology, to 5 questions related to the just-concluded lesson. The final mark will be obtained from the mathematical average of the marks recorded in each written test.

Since this course consists of various paragraphs that describe the chemical reactions that the human body employs to modify the chemical structure of administered drugs, the enzymes involved in these chemical reactions, the factors that affect these metabolic reactions and the pharmacological and toxicological aspects arising from these reactions, in the written exam the ability to clearly report the answers to the test questions in a correct manner and using the appropriate specialized terminology, will be assessed.

The teacher does not recommend any particular reference text as he himself took care of composing the course paragraphs by assembling a series of concepts and topics derived from updated texts and scientific publications of international renown in the field of drugs metabolism. The slides of the course program paragraphs, used by the teacher during the lessons, are available in pdf format on Aulaweb.

Elements of clinical and experimental endocrinology. Analytical methods for the evaluation of serum hormonal levels, principles of diagnosis of endocrinological diseases.

The Endocrinology course involves the study of hormones and fundamentals of endocrine organ anatomy and physiology. In detail, the course will teach elements of general endocrinology such as classification of hormones, mechanisms of hormone secretion, mechanisms of negative and positive feedback, rhythms of hormone secretion, fundamentals of hormonal assays. Concerning the physiopathology of endocrine organs, the course will provide elements on the hypothalamus-pituitary system, thyroid, parathyroid, gonads, adrenal glands and endocrine pancreas, focusing the attention on fundamentals of the main endocrine pathologies such as acromegaly, Cushing’s disease, hypopituitarism, Basedow syndrome, thyroid nodes, autoimmune thyroiditis, amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea, hypogonadism, infertility, dysfunctions of phospho-calcic metabolism, diabetes, obesity and dysmetabolic syndrome and their medical treatment. Moreover, depending on the ongoing research activity at the endocrinology laboratory during the period of the lessons, the course will also organize the execution of a hormonal assay in laboratory (by student themselves) with the final contextualization of the results in the scope of the specific related research project.

The exam will consist of an oral test.

Student knowledge will be evaluated by specific questions on the subjects taught during the classroom lessons. During the test, the ability to correlate subjects, to summarize concepts as well as to critically interpret the acquired fundamentals will be evaluated as well.

The course does not foresee a specific book since slides of all lessons will be provided to the students.

To allow the student to acquire a detailed knowledge of the current and up-to date gene transfer and therapy approaches, along with their evolution in clinical settings, and to correlate them with the current knowledge on physiology, molecular biology and genetic engineering technologies; to allow the student to envisage possible future applications of gene therapy based on the current knowledge of monogenic diseases with a relevant clinical prevalence.

The teaching unit will provide an overview of the most advanced gene therapies, starting from their molecular bases to their current translational applications. The unit will deal with the fundamental biological and morphological characteristics, with the genetic content and organization and with the integrative competence of several viral families that makes them suitable as effective vectors for gene therapy, as well as a few “non-viral” based- and “genome editing”-approaches. Implication and relevance for human health ameliorations due to gene-therapy based approaches (current and envisageable) will also be taken into account.

Before the formal final exam the student is invited – if willing - to give a PowerPoint presentation during which he/she will expose the scientific results of a scientific publication dealing with the subjects of the course, in particular dealing with therapeutic approaches based on the technologies described during lessons. A critical overview, both relating methodology and results, is suggested for the presentation; the presentation and its issues will be discussed publically among all the students and the teacher. The presentation, however, is not mandatory.
The student's performance is evaluated during an oral examination (average duration: 30 min), according to the exam calendar and timetable set by the competent office or through direct contacts with the teacher.
DSA-certified students, as well as all other students with certified learning difficulties, are recommended to contact both the teacher and the Department contact person, at the beginning of lessons, to agree on teaching and exam methods that, in compliance with teaching objectives, might take into account individual learning methods/needs and may provide suitable compensatory/dispensatory tools recognized by the University DSA Service.

Questions of raising difficulty will be posed, relating major issues of the course In particular we will evaluate:
a) exactness of the student's response;
b) the student's ability to frame the topic in a wider context;
c) the student's ability to correlate the topic with other topics, not necessarily related to the course;
d) the terminology and language appropriateness;
e) the student's criticism.
For the final evaluation of the candidate the commission may also take into consideration the performance provided during the non-mandatory presentation of a scientific paper, selected within the most recent literature.

Suggested textbooks:
M. Giacca (2011) - Terapia Genica. Springer Biomed Ed.
A.J. Dunn - Elementi di virologia molecolare. CEA Ed.
B. Alberts et al. - Biologia molecolare della cellula. Zanichelli Ed.
J.D. Watson et al. - DNA Ricombinante. Zanichelli Ed.

The course is structured in two modules: Organ Biochemistry and Diagnostic Biotechnology. The Biochemistry module aims to analyze in details some aspects of protein biochemistry and tissue/ specialized organ biochemistry. During the laboratory, selected innovative biochemical methods and technologies will be discussed, using examples from the literature. The module of Diagnostic Biotechnology, aims to introduce students to the methods derived from basic biotechnologies that were transferred to medical diagnostics; know the main analyses of clinical biochemistry and their interpretation to verify metabolism and function of different organs.

The course is structured in two modules: Organ Biochemistry and Diagnostic Biotechnology. The Biochemistry module aims to analyze in details some aspects of protein biochemistry and tissue/ specialized organ biochemistry. During the laboratory, selected innovative biochemical methods and technologies will be discussed, using examples from the literature. The module of Diagnostic Biotechnology, aims to introduce students to the methods derived from basic biotechnologies that were transferred to medical diagnostics; know the main analyses of clinical biochemistry and their interpretation to verify metabolism and function of different organs.

The Human biochemistry and the Diagnostic Biotechnology exam will be a written test with 32 multiple choice questions (1 marks each). The exam is positively evaluated with a score of 18/30 or higher. The score will be used to calculate the final mark, using the mean of the two parts.

The questions proposed in the written exam will be constructed in such a way to evaluate student knowledge, but also to investigate the student biochemical reasoning and to evaluate the skills and competences acquired according to the objectives of the course.

Slides and additional material for the study will be provided usig aualweb

Knowledge of the mode of inheritance of genetic disorders in humans and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Comprehension of experimental approaches for the detection of genetic factors associated to human diseases. Basic concepts on population genetics.

MENDELIAN INHERITANCE AND GENETIC DISORDERS
Inheritance in Men: A brief History
Monogenic Disorders with Mendelian inheritance
Autosomal dominant disorders
Autosomal recessive disorders
Other Monogenic Disorders
Chromosome X inactivation and X-linked disorders
Y-linked disorders
Mitochondrial inheritance
Beyond Mendel. Complex monogenic disorders
Genetic Heterogeneity
Allelic Heterogeneity
Variable expressivity and Incomplete penetrance
Lethal alleles
Sex-limited traits
Dynamic mutations and disease anticipation
De novo mutations, gonadal and somatic mosaicisms
Imprinting disorders and parent-of-origin gene expression
MUTATIONS IN GENETIC DISORDERS
Polymorphic variants
Classification of Mutations
Chromosomal disorders and Cytogenetics
Human Karyotype
Numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities: classifications and mechanisms
Abnormalities of Sex chromosomes
Copy number variants (CNVs)
Point Mutations
DNA level: base substitution and base deletion/insertion
Protein level: Coding mutations

• Allelic heterogeneity in Cystic Fibrosis, as example
• Nonsense mediated mRNA decay
  Protein level: Non-Coding mutations
• Mutations affecting splicing
• Intronic mutations affecting non-coding functional elements
  Functional level: Loss- or gain-of-function
  IDENTIFYING MUTATIONS IN GENETIC DISORDERS
  Conventional Cytogenetics for detection of chromosomal abnormalities
  Karyotyping and chromosome banding
  International System for human Cytogenetics Nomenclature (ISCN)
  Cytogenetics in the clinical practice
  Molecular Cytogenetics for detection of Copy Number Variants (CNVs)
  Fluorescence in sit hybridization (FISH)
  Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH)
  DNA microarrays
• CGH Arrays
• SNP Arrays
• DNA microarrays in the clinical practice
  Sequencing
  Sequencing methods (Overview)
  Analysis of Sequencing data
  Genetic Databases and Genome Browsers
  Applications of Sequencing methods in human genetics
  Genetic Testing
• NGS: Exome Sequencing and interpretation of variants in the clinical setting
• NGS: Detection of Structural Variations (NIPT)
• Long Reads Sequencing (Repeats and GC regions, De Novo Assembly)
  FUNCTIONAL GENETICS
  Interpreting the functional role of mutations by cellular approaches
  Silencing
  Overexpression
  Gene editing
  Precision medicine in genetics
  Pharmacological targeting of mutations in Cystic Fibrosis
  POPULATION GENETICS
  Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
  Factors influencing H.W. equilibrium Mutation
  Genetic drift
  Migration
  Non-random mating
  Natural selection
  Neutral Theory
  POLYGENIC AND MULTIFACTORIAL DISORDERS
  Complex inheritance
  Variance and Heritability
  Concordance in twins, relative risk ratio, empiric risks
  Discontinuous and Continuous traits
  Mapping of complex traits
  Linkage disequilibrium
  Association studies
  Sequencing studies and Gene Burden test.
  CANCER GENETICS
  Definitions and classifications
  Principles of cancer genetics
  Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes
  Mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis
  Hereditary Cancel syndromes
  FUNCTIONAL GENETICS LABORATORY
  Bioinformatic pipelines for NGS data analysis
  Spatial profiling of gene expression by RNA scope, single-cell RNAseq and cell imaging
  Advanced cell models (iPS cells and neurons, 2D and 3D epithelial respiratory cell models
  Functional tests (ion imaging, patch-clamp and MEA electrophysiology)

The exam is carried out as oral test in English or in Italian, as preferred by the student. The final vote is expressed out of 30.

The oral exam, in English or Italian, will allow to test students on most of the content of the course, by assessing their knowledge on human genetics, as well as the acquired ability to connect different topics and to eventually solve genetic problems.
Proficiency in English language, if opted by the student, will not be evaluated, but it must be sufficient to show the student’s knowledge of the subjects, with an adequate level of expertise.

Lecture notes and reviews covering the whole course will be available for the students in Aulaweb. In addition, students will be provided with files containing genetic problems with solutions
Recommended reference textbook:
Strachan & Read - Human Molecular Genetics. Bios Scientific Publisher.

In-depth knowledge about inheritance as it occurs in human beings, and comprehension of the main molecular and cellular mechanisms related to the pathogenesis of inherited and acquired diseases.

The integrated Course is divided in two modules: Human Genetics and Molecular Pathology. The Human Genetics Module provides the student with tools and knowledge useful to interpret the simple Mendelian and the complex inheritance of different genetic diseases. The Molecular Pathology Module deals with the study of specific molecular alterations which lead to disease.

The exam includes two oral interviews (Human Genetics and Molecular Pathology), scheduled in different dates. The exam is carried out in English.
For the course of Human Genetics, the oral exam will allow to test students on most of the content of the course, by assessing their knowledge on human genetics, as well as the acquired ability to connect different topics and to eventually solve genetic problems.
For the course of Molecular Pathology, the exam consists of an oral test and takes place in the presence of the two professors. The student should demonstrate the ability to critically discuss some of the subjects covered in the lessons. Through the discussion of different topics, the professors will verify the fulfillment of the expected learning outcomes.
At the end of the oral examination the professors elaborate a mark deriving from the weighted mean of the partial marks, from the oral presentations and from an overall evaluation of the student. The mark 30/30 with honors will be assigned when the knowledge of the subject is excellent.

Each student will be examined about the contents of different topics of the syllabus, with questions apt to evaluate his/her knowledge and ability of connecting different parts of the course and to verify the fulfillment of the expected lerning outcomes. The knowledge and the definition of the basic elements of the subject are necessary for the achievement of the test.
Proficiency in English language will not be evaluated, but it must be sufficient to show the students’ knowledge of the subjects, with an adequate level of linguistic expertise, especially in scientific language.

From biochemistry to proteomics The course aims to provide the basis for understanding the main techniques applied for the study of proteins, including: one-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in native or denatured and denatured reduced and alkylated conditions, zymograms, different types of two-dimensional electrophoresis (i.e. titration curves, blue native electrophoresis, and high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis), western blots, different methods of proteins detection gels (coomassie, colloidal, silver nitrate and fluorescence staining), main chromatography techniques including methods that use magnetic nano beads, particularly suitable for robotic automation systems, mass spectrometry high resolution, direct and indirect ELISA, membrane and microscope slide protein arrays. Protein samples preparation The course aims to provide an overview of the main biochemical-physical methods to address and solve most of the problems in the preparation of protein samples such as most common biological fluids (serum, plasma, liquor and urine), cells, extracellular vesicles and tissues for the methods indicated above. Bioinformatics analysis Finally, the course aims to provide the basis for the analysis of big data obtained from protein microarray and/or mass spectrometry experiments. In particular, attention will be paid to: a) how to normalize data, b) the use of the most recent classification, prediction, and correlation algorithms between experimental features and biochemical-clinical data of samples such as weighted gene co-expression network analysis, machine learning and supervised /unsupervised cluster analysis, c) which statistical tests to use, d) how to choose the variables of interest, e) and the gene ontology enrichment analysis for the identification of biological processes and metabolic pathways perturbed in a case-control experiment.

The course consists of two parts: a theoretical part which aims to address the main methods and problems related to the study of proteins, and a practical part of a computer laboratory which aims to provide the basis for the analysis of proteomic Big-Data.

The exam will consist of a written test (multiple-choice quiz) administered in person or on a digital platform.
The test is passed with a score of at least 18/30.

The exam will verify the achievement of the training objectives; in particular, the student's knowledge of the main techniques applied for the study of proteins and the ability to analyze the results obtained will be ascertained.

Lecture notes on AulaWeb.

Internship Lab or Stage Company.

Internship Lab or Stage Company.

Registration eligibility.

Statement issued by the head of the laboratory where the student has done the internship.

Lessons aim to introduce Students to the basic and most relevant aspects of preclinical and experimental murine models in translational and biotechnology research. Furthermore, the Students will learn all methodologies currently in use to create transgenic mice, including new scientific approaches. Specific examples will be illustrated and discussed.
Students are required to retain knowledge of molecular and functional mechanisms that allow the design and creation of mouse models for experimental research in regenretaive medicine and in oncology. Students must also know, comprehend and be able to compare the different models and the relevance such models may offer; they will also be required to critically evaluate the possible effects of alterations of main cellular functions and their biological consequences. Students will also be expected to retain and use the proper scientific terminology and to be aware of all the necessary requirements and national and international law dispositions to perform animal research in biotech research.

Introduction to the use of rodent models in basic and preclinical experimental research; methodologies for the generation of transgenic models through gene overexpression and gene-targeting approaches; characterization and applications of reporter gene systems; lineage-tracing and fate-mapping models; murine preclinical models in oncology research; mouse models in translational research; Italian and international legislation governing animal experimentation, including the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) and the procedures for obtaining authorization for research projects involving animal use.

The exam is an interview with the Lecturer in charge of the class. Questions will span through all main items/topics presented during the course. Different types of questions will be used, such as correlation questions. The Lecturer will start critical discussion with the student by asking 2-3 questions related to the main relevant topics discussed in class in order to evaluate the student knowledge and their capacity to master the most important aspects presented.

The exam aims to verify the Students’ comprehension on the different animal models and the specific techniques used to generate them as discussed during class. The exam aims to assess the student’s knowledge of the main relevance of such models, along the current law dispositions on animal research. The Students’ ability to memorize and discuss specific terms/statements shall be evaluated, primarily, by correlation questions

PDF files of power point slides of the topics discussed in class will be made available for Students to be downloaded from AulaWeb. Files are strictly for personal use only; files must not be shared on social media, posted on any internet website or put on any sharing platform; files must not be printed out for sale or photocopied.

The course is aimed at exploring specific example pathologies as consequences of molecular alterations, with particular focus on tumors, and at illustrating novel methodological strategies to investigate disease pathogenetic mechanisms and identify new therapeutic targets.

The course consists of 2.5 credits corresponding to 20 hour lessons.
It is focused on the analysis of some important human pathologies that have been selected as representative diseases in which the study of molecular alterations and characteristics have led to the clarification of pathogenetic mechanims and to the development novel treatment strategies.

Oral exam.

Students are asked to answer at least two questions about the course's topics, starting from a general view and then going into detail. Additional questions can be asked, in order to clarify the student's ability to evaluate and choose adequate solutions for the treatment of pathologies.
Students with SLD or other regularly certified special educational needs will be able to agree on written or oral modalities with the teacher, by contacting the teachers at least 10 days before the exam. They can also take advantage of 30% additional time.

Reference books:
Alberts et al. - Biologia molecolare della cellula. Zanichelli
Mendelsohn et al. - The molecular basis of cancer. Elsevier.
Robbins & Cotran - Le basi patologiche delle malattie. Elsevier.
Giacca M. - Terapia Genica. Springer-Verlag Italia s.r.l.

Molecular Oncology Cancer represents a special type of pathology that can be potentially dangerous even when affecting only an individual cell. At a molecular (biochemical-interactions) level, fundamental cellular functions (proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, tissue architecture) are controlled by networks of signaling-proteins. Signaling-proteins networks decide when and in which way a cell will activate the above mentioned basic cellular functions. Special discrete sets of mutations / alterations, inheritable at the somatic level, from a parental to a daughter cell, can give origin to new progressively transformed cells, endowed with more permissive controls of these same functions. We want the student to learn the basic features of this pre-neoplastic and subsequently neoplastic transformation process. By about ten years, medicinal chemistry has started to discover selective inhibitors of altered signaling-proteins affected by excess of function (especially kinase inhibitors). We want the student to enter the world of possible selective corrections of altered pathways and altered signaling-network sub-regions. Molecular Immunology This course is aimed to provide a broad view of the current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in the antigen-specific immune response and in innate immunity. Examples of translational applications of this basic knowledge to biotechnology approaches of therapy and diagnosis in neoplastic and immune-mediated diseases will be discussed.

Overview of the Tumor microenvironment (TME): role of different cells of natural and specific immunity and stromal cells
Molecular mechanisms involved in cell-to-cell interaction
Matrix components and cell-matrix molecular interaction
Targeting the TME for therapy
The molecular mechanisms of trans-endothelial migration and localization of immune cells
Chromosomal translocation and neoplasia
Resistance to chemotherapy or targeted therapy
Antibody structure and function and generation of antibody variability
B cell receptor structure and signaling
The Ig class switch and affinity maturation
From mouse to chimeric, humanized and human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)
Whole mAbs for tumor targeting: role of the Fc region
MAb derivatives: single-chain variable fragments (scFvs), Antibody/drug conjugates (ADCs), bispecific T cell engagers (BITES) and Immunocytokines
“Adoptive” cellular immunotherapy of cancer: from LAK cells and TILs to Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies
Preventive vs. therapeutic cancer vaccines
Role of Tumor-associated antigens vs. neoantigens in cancer immunotherapy
Immune checkpoints blockers (ICB) in cancer immunotherapy
Combination of ICB immunotherapy with targeted therapy: the example of cutaneous melanoma
Cancer causes
Tumorigenesis models
Mutation types and functions
Mutational processes
Molecularly targeted therapies
Genetic bases of tumorigenesis
Genome wide association studies and multigenetic scores
Innovative methods and bioinformatics

Oral final examination.

Assessment will be carried out according to teaching calendar through an oral final exam (score out of thirty) that verifies the candidate's knowledge level. The evaluation of the final preparation will take into account the commitment shown during the all didactic activity period, the level of preparation, the use of proper language in relation to topics and presentation skills. Preparation will be valued at insufficient level if there will be gaps in one or more topics; the achievement of sufficiency will require a not fragmented knowledge of topics.

Cancer Principles and Practice of Oncology, Primer of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Third edition, Vincent T. DeVita, Jr, Theodore S. Lawrence, and Steven A. Rosemberg, Editor; Wolters Kluver.
Cellular and Molecular Immunology 10th Edition - February 19, 2021,Editor: Elsevier; Authors: Abul Abbas, Andrew Lichtman, Shiv Pillai
eBook ISBN: 9780323757508, Paperback ISBN: 9780323757485
Review and original articles on the specific topics of molecular oncology and immunology.

The aims of the course are the knowledge of molecular mechanisms of the generation of neoplasia, the tumor microenvironment, the anti-tumor immune response, the cellular plasticity and complexity together with the factors involved in the immune response, the molecular basis of the use of anti-tumor and immunomodulating drugs, the physiopathology of endocrine organs and their role in the regulation of vital functions.

The course aims to teach essential notions on the physiopathology of neoplasia, immune system and endocrine organs. A first part provides an insight on the features of hormones and their actions on target cells and essential notions on the analytical methodologies to measure the plasma levels of hormones (hormonal dosage) and on the diagnosis of the endocrine pathologies. A second part will review the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment, including natural and specific immunity and stromal cells, their interactions with the matrix, and their role in tumor progression and immune-escape. Another part will recall the mechanisms of B cell responses and generation of antibody diversity, as a pre-requisite to an overview of monoclonal antibodies and their derivatives for cancer therapy. Finally, the course will describe the genetic mechanisms of oncogenesis, innovative approaches of bioinformatic analysis of cancer datasets and the development of cancer targeted therapies.

The exam will consist of oral tests, one for each subject.

Student knowledge will be evaluated by specific questions on the subjects taught during the classroom lessons. During the test, the ability to correlate subjects, to summarize concepts as well as to critically interpret the acquired fundamentals will be evaluated as well.

In-depth knowledge about inheritance as it occurs in human beings, and comprehension of the main molecular and cellular mechanisms related to the pathogenesis of inherited and acquired diseases.

The course of Molecular Pathology deals with the study of specific molecular alterations which lead to disease.

The exam is carried out in English and consists of an oral test lasting about 30 minutes and takes place in the presence of the two professors. The student should demonstrate the ability to critically discuss all the subjects covered in the questions. Through the discussion of different topics, the professors verify the fulfillment of the expected learning outcomes.
At the end of the oral examination the professors elaborate a mark deriving from the weighted mean of the partial marks, from the oral presentations of the paper and from an overall evaluation of the student. The mark 30/30 with honors will be assigned when the knowledge of the subject is excellent.

Each student will be examined about the contents of at least two topics of the syllabus, with questions apt to evaluate his/her knowledge and ability of connecting different parts of the course. In addition, the ability to explain how molecular alterations affect functionality of cells and organs will be assessed, as well as the proper usage of scientific terms.The knowledge and the definition of the basic elements of the subject are necessary for the achievement of the test.
Proficiency in English language will not be evaluated, but it must be sufficient to show the students’ knowledge of the subjects, with an adequate level of linguistic expertise, especially in scientific language.

Lecture notes and reviews covering the whole course will be available for the students in Aulaweb.
The following reference textbooks are recommended:
Kumar, Abbas, Aster - Robbins Basic Pathology, Elsevier.
Rubin, Strayer - Rubin’s Pathology: Clinicopathologic Foundations of Medicine, Wolters Kluwer.
Jameson, Fauci, Kasper - Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, McGraw-Hill Education.
Abbas A.K., Lichtman A.H., Pillai S. - Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Elsevier.
Parham P. - The Immune System, Garland Science.

The purpose of the course is to give an overview of molecular mechanisms that regulate functions in the nervous system with special emphasis on cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate neurotransmission. In particular students receive a detailed information on the generation and propagation of the electrical signal in single neurons up to the complexity of the firing of neurons in network. Mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity, fundamental for higher function such as learning and memory, will be analyzed in details. Moreover thank to the laboratory-activity, the students will learn basic skills in vitro electrophysiology (extra- and intracellular recordings, patch-clamp) and functional imaging techniques. Different recording modes and their advantages and disadvantages will be dealt with. By the end of the course the students should be able to understand the possibilities and the limitations of the different in vitro experimental approaches in neuroscience research and to design experiments in which the techniques are applied in a relevant manner to deal with up to date neurophysiology questions.

The purpose of the course is to give an overview of cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate functions in the nervous system.

Oral exam. The oral exam, lasting about twenty minutes, involves several questions of neurophysiology and neurobiology asked by one teacher of the commission.

Neuroscience - Purves (2008 4th edition, 2012 5th edition). Trad. italiana a cura di Zanichelli (2009).

The aim of the course is to present and discuss the neuropathology of the most common disorders of the central nervous system , such as Parkinson disease and Multiple Sclerosis. Moreover the animal models of multiple sclerosis, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and of genetic disease of the peripheral nervous system will be presented.

Introduzione: richiami di embriologia e d’istologia del sistema nervoso; anamnesi ed esame obiettivo in clinica neurologica. Organizzazione anatomo-funzionale spino-muscolare L’unità motoria. Motilità riflessa, tono e trofismo muscolare: basi anatomo-fisiologiche, fisiopatologia e semeiotica. Forza muscolare: fisiopatologia e semeiotica. Deficit di forza da danno del sistema nervoso periferico o del sistema nervoso centrale (paresi periferica vs paesi centrale: fisiopatologia e semeiotica). Monoparesi, emiparesi, paraparesi, tetraparesi. Sindrome della giunzione neuromuscolare. Funzione sensitiva Organizzazione della sensibilità somatica. Tipi di sensibilità e loro vie nervose. Esame delle sensibilità. Disturbi delle sensibilità. Le sindromi sensitive. Sindromi Midollari Sindrome siringomielica, sindrome tabetica, sindrome di Brown-Sequard. Nervi cranici Nozioni generali. Innervazione sopranucleare. Olfatto (I n. cranico). Nervo ottico e vie visive; acuità visiva, campo visivo, esame del fondo oculare e disturbi relativi. Nervi Oculomotori (III, IV, V nervi cranici). Diplopia, ptosi; riflesso fotomotore, miosi, midriasi. Sensibilità (V nervo cranico) e motilità della faccia (VII nervo cranico). Disturbi relativi. Udito ed equilibrio (VIII nervo cranico); sintomi da patologia cocleare e vestibolare. I nervi cranici bulbari: glossofaringeo (9°), vago (10°) e radice cranica dell’accessorio (11° nervo cranico). Accessorio spinale (11° nervo cranico). Ipoglosso (12° nervo cranico). Gusto (7°, 9°, 10° nervo cranico). Sindromi Troncoencefaliche Sindromi talamiche Gangli della base e sistema extrapiramidale. Anatomo-fisiologia. Semeiotica dei principali disturbi extrapiramidali. Sindromi acinetico-ipertoniche e sindromi ipercinetiche (movimenti involontari patologici) extrapiramidali. Cervelletto e sindromi cerebellari Organizzazione anatomo-funzionale del cervelletto. Semeiotica dei principali disturbi. Forme di atassia.
Cortical cerebral syndromes: frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, callosa.
Motor phonation disorders: dysarthria, dysphonia, speech apraxia.
Neurogenic dysphagia.
Consciousness Functional organization of consciousness. Wakefulness and sleep. Coma: physiopathology, pathogenesis and semeotics. Intracranial hernias. Particular clinical pictures: locked in syndrome, acinetic mutism, persistent vegetative state, brain death.
Liquor Nature of the liquor. Liquoral circulation. Hydrocephalus and its symptomatology.
Syndrome of intracranial hypertension.

The examination of learning takes place in oral form within the framework of the examination of the Integrated Course of which the discipline "Neurology I" is part.

students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of the subjects specified in the programme, precise command of terminology and a good knowledge of semeoiotic, physiopathological and significance of major disorders due to injury to the nervous system.

The aim of the course is to provide the students with knowledge about the main classes of drugs active on the central nervous system. The course will be focused to study the main pharmacological strategies used to modulate the neurochemical and behavioral responses to affect the pathogenetic mechanisms of the main CNS diseases.

Neuropharmacology is a branch of neuroscience that involves the study of drugs that modulate the nervous system and its functioning, particularly at the level of the brain. The goal of neuropharmacology in general is to understand the basic functioning of impulses and signals within the brain in order to discover ways in which drugs can be used to treat neurological disorders and drug addiction.

The exam will be conducted orally through an interview on the topics covered in the course.
There will be 3 appeals available for the winter session (January-February) and 4 for the summer session (June-September).
Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SAD), disabilities or other educational needs regularly submitted to the University may request adjustments in the exam which must be made strictly at least 10 working days before the scheduled exam date by carefully following the instructions in the link at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/comunicazioni

The examination will be structured by means of student presentation of the program topics covered during the lectures, on which specific insights or connections with related topics may be required. The discussion will be aimed at assessing not only the level of knowledge attained by the student but also the acquisition of critical ability in dealing with topics related to neuropharmacology.

All materials used during the lectures will be provided to students via Aulaweb in advance of the lecture. In addition additional insights are available in the following texts:
S. Govoni, L. Frattola, G. Racagni, E. Smeraldi - Neuropsicofarmacologia. UTET
F. Clementi, G. Fumagalli - Farmacologia generale e molecolare. UTET.

The aim of this course is to provide the students with knowledge about fundamental concepts of Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacogenetics. The course will be focused to study the changes of cellular and molecular mechanisms which regulate the different pharmacological responses. Moreover, the course will underline the most interesting progresses in therapy due to this new potential pharmacological approach and the possible future therapeutic development.

Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics are branches of pharmacology that study the genetic basis of individual variability in drug response. They are crucial for personalized medicine, an innovative approach aimed at optimizing drug treatments based on patient's individual characteristics, in order to better target therapies and reduce the risk of adverse reactions.

The examination will consist of an oral test. Students will be asked to prepare and discuss a powerpoint presentation on a topic related to the teaching. This will be the starting point for checking the level of preparation with regard to the topics addressed in the course.

The final grade will be based on the level of preparation, reasoning abilities, the capacity to integrate and connect course topics, and the use of appropriate scientific language

The lecture slides covering the course programme will be made available on Aulaweb. These slides will also contain bibliographical references of articles in the scientific literature that will be discussed in class.

The aim of this course is to provide the students with knowledge about fundamental concepts of the main pharmacological classes, the basic concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, correlated to the study and the development of new drugs, and the methodologies of pharmacological experimentation. The course will be focused to study cellular molecular mechanisms of the action of drugs, deepening their receptorial mechanisms and signal transduction. Moreover, the course will underline the progresses, obtained using new technologies, molecular biology and biotechnology, towards the investigation of innovative pharmaceuticals molecules and the finding of new therapeutic targets.

Pharmacology is the science that studies the path of a drug in the body and its therapeutic and unwanted effects, analyzing the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying them. In the biotechnology field, molecular and cellular pharmacology mainly studies the targets on which drugs act, the effects that the drug-target interaction induces in these processes and the structural relationships that can improve the response to drugs in terms of efficacy and safety.

The exam will be conducted orally through an interview on the topics covered in the course. There will be 3 appeals available for the winter session and (January-February) and 4 for the summer session (June-September). Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SAD), disabilities or other educational needs regularly submitted to the University may request adjustments in the exam which must be made strictly at least 10 working days before the scheduled exam date by carefully following the instructions in the link at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/comunicazioni.

The verification of learning will be based on the assessment of the student's ability to present and discuss the program topics covered during the lectures, on which specific insights or connections with related topics may be required.
The discussion will be aimed at assessing not only the level of knowledge attained by the student but also the acquisition of critical ability in dealing with topics related to pharmacology.Learning outcomes will be assessed during the examination by analyzing the student's competence on the different topics given in the syllabus, the use of appropriate scientific terminology, and the ability to correlate and reason scientifically. If the learning objectives are not met, the student will be invited to further verify his or her knowledge and, if necessary, request further clarification/explanation by contacting the lecturer.

The use of the following text is recommended: Clementi F., Fumagalli G. (2018) - General and Molecular Pharmacology. Edra Ed. In addition, all materials used during the lectures will be provided to students via Aulaweb, in advance of the lecture.

Module “Pharmacology” The aim of this course is to provide the students with knowledge about fundamental concepts of the main pharmacological classes, the basic concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, correlated to the study and the development of new drugs, and the methodologies of pharmacological experimentation. The course will be focused to study cellular molecular mechanisms of the action of drugs, deepening their receptorial mechanisms and signal transduction. Moreover, the course will underline the progresses, obtained using new technologies, molecular biology and biotechnology, towards the investigation of innovative pharmaceuticals molecules and the finding of new therapeutic targets. Module “Toxicology” The Toxicology module aims at providing students with the basic knowledge regarding the interactions between xenobiotics and living organisms and the mechanisms through which such interactions can lead to harmful effects.

This integrated course is organized in the modules of Pharmacology and Toxicology.
Pharmacology is the science that studies the path of a drug in the body and its therapeutic and unwanted effects, analyzing the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying them. In the biotechnology field, molecular and cellular pharmacology mainly studies the targets on which drugs act, the effects that the drug-target interaction induces in these processes and the structural relationships that can improve the response to drugs in terms of efficacy and safety.
Toxicology is the science that studies the adverse effects of exogenous and endogenous chemicals on living beings with the aim of identifying possible risks to human health and the environment. It plays a fundamental role in understanding the factors that influence the manifestation of these effects and the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, in order to prevent or antagonize them.

The integrated course of Pharmacology and Toxicology includes a final oral exam on the topics covered in the lectures during the semester.
Students can choose among 3 sessions during the winter semester (in January and February) and 4 sessions in the summer one (June, July and September).
Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), disabilities or other educational needs regularly presented to the University, may request adaptations during the exam that must be made strictly at least 10 working days before the scheduled exam date by carefully following the instructions reported at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/comunicazioni.

The learning outcomes will be assessed during the exam by evaluating the student's competence on the different topics reported in the programs of the two modules, the use of appropriate scientific terminology and the ability to correlate and reason scientifically. If the learning objectives are not achieved, the student will be invited to further verify his/her knowledge and possibly request further clarifications/explanations by contacting the teacher.

Acquire methodological rigor and mathematical formalism to interpret and describe the fundamental phenomena that underlie the chemical-physical systems. Particular attention will be paid to the description and understanding of the energy profile of chemical systems as well as to the physical-chemical phenomena as a function of time.

The Course Physical Chemistry is focused on thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. It completes the basic chemical-physical knowledge of materials science students, allowing to approach to the investigation of complex chemical and biochemical systems.

The examination exam consists of:
Oral interview, which will cover all topics seen during the lesson The students must demonstrate understanding of main chemical-physical concepts discussed during the lectures, and must show good familiarity with the mathematical tools.

The oral exam is conducted by two professors and has a minimum duration of 45 minutes.
In addition to the student's ability to frame/present a topic in a general context, his reasoning ability and his ability to answer specific questions are assessed. Passing the exam presupposes the actual acquisition of the theoretical concepts; in particular, the student must demonstrate that he has correctly understood the meaning of certain physical and/or chemical-physical laws and that he is able to give the right interpretation of the reason why certain phenomena occur. The evaluation takes into account the student's ability to use appropriate technical-scientific terminology combined with the coherence of exposition of the concepts.

Besides the material present in Aulaweb, suggested books/readings are:
P. Atkins, J. de Paola (2012) - Chimica Fisica. V ed. Zanichelli, Bologna.
Laidler-Meiser (1999) - Chimica Fisica. Editoriale Grasso, Bologna.
R. Chang (2005) - Physical Chemistry for the Biosciences. University Science Books, California.

Analysis of stem cell biology, focusing on their differentiation and therapeutic potential (including somatic nuclear transfer and cloning).

This course will introduce students to the most relevant concepts of stem cell biology as well as more specific information on functional characterisation of different stem cell populations (from embryonic to adult stem cells, including fetal, perinatal and tissue-specific progenitors, up to induced pluripotent and cancer stem cells) and their relevance in regenerative medicine along with stem cell trans-differentiation over paracrine potential.

Details about final exam will be explained during class. Assessment will be performed via a 1-to-1 discussion in English with the Lecturers about the main topics illustrated during class.Discussion will span through all main items/topics presented during the course. Different types of questions will be used, such as correlation questions.
There will be 7 exams per year: 3 during the winter session (January and February) and 4 during the summer session (3 in June-July and one in September). Extraordinary dates will NOT be arranged.
Online registration with at least 48h advance is mandatory to have access to the exam.
In the final mark computation, Lecturers will also take into consideration the journal club activity.

The exam aims to verify the students’ comprehension of stem cell potential in translational regenerative medicine, as well as their knowledge and ability of critical discussion.
Different additional types of questions, will also be used to evaluate the students’ competence relating to critical thinking.
During the course, students will be also asked to critically discuss during the Journal Club activity some research articles related to the main topic illustrated during class by an oral presentation, as the result of their team work attitude with their colleagues.

Lecturers will provided power point slides at the end of the class as available to be downloaded from the AulaWeb website, as supporting material, which must not be either disclosed to third or shared on line or posted on social media. Laboratory protocols will be also made available before the practical hands on course starts.
For the journal club activity, lecturers will made available for students to choose some original research articles published on peer-reviewed international journals; students will work on them in groups of 2-3 people to deliver an oral presentation in order to critical discuss the chosen study in front of class.

The course consist of two modules: Structural Biology and Nanotechnology. The Structural Biology module aims to provide the basis for understanding the three-dimensional structure of macromolecules of biochemical and biotechnological interest such as proteins and nucleic acids. The functional aspects to structural ones will be discussed through various examples present in the literature. The Nanotechnology module aims to provide students with an overview of the latest and most advanced nanobiotechnologies and nanobiomaterials. In particular, the two aspects of nanobioscience and nanobiotechnology application take place: structural proteomics and functional proteomics. In the first case, the novel method of protein nanocrystallography and the advanced synchrotron radiation techniques, including micro and nano-focussed high intense synchrotron radiation and the new trends in radiation damage reduction are presented. In the second case, the most innovative technologies of protein microarrays NAPPA (Nucleic Acid Programmable protein Array) and their fluorescent-label as well as label-free technology of are demonstrated. In the both cases the application to the regenerative medicine are underlined.

The course is structured in two modules: Structural Biology and Nanotechnologies
The structural Biology module is aimed at students of the postgraduate courses of Biotechnology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Materials Sciences.
The Structural Biology module aims to provide the basis for understanding the three-dimensional structure of macromolecules of biochemical and biotechnological interest such as proteins and nucleic acids. The functional aspects to structural ones will be discussed through various examples present in the literature.
The Nanotechnology module aims to provide the information about the advanced methods of nanotechnology, useful for structural biology, as well as on appropriate instrumentation, both laboratory and international facilities as synchrotrons and X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs).

The oral exam lasts about 30 minutes / student on the topics covered in class. The student is asked three questions of increasing difficulty aimed at assessing the degree of study of the subject and preparation of the student.
As for the part of nanotechnology (Prof.Peshkova) the examination will be carried out in written form with multiple choice tests.

Details on how to prepare for the exam and the degree of detail required for each topic will be provided at the beginning of the course and confirmed during lectures and exercises.
The oral exam will focus on the topics covered during the lectures and will aim to assess the achievement of the appropriate level of knowledge, the ability to use the theoretical notions to integrate the different concepts addressed in class and developed in the laboratory. The ability to present the topics clearly and with correct terminology will also be evaluated.

All slides used during the lessons and other teaching material will be available on AulaWeb before the beginning of the lessons together with other bibliographic material in pdf format.
The books indicated are suggested as a supporting text and are available and can be consulted together with other books for further information by the teacher.
Texts advised for further information: Ringe-Petsko- Structure and function of proteins – Zanichelli
Pechkova, E., Riekel, C., Structural Proteomics and Synchrotron Radiation, Pan Stanford Series on Nanobiotechnology Volume 3, pp. 1-447, (ISBN, Singapore, New Jersey and London) 2012. Introduction to Protein Structure - Branden C., Tooze J. - Garland Pub

The Toxicology module aims at providing students with the basic knowledge regarding the interactions between xenobiotics and living organisms and the mechanisms through which such interactions can lead to harmful effects.

The module of Toxicology is part of the integrated course of Pharmacology and Toxicology, which is taught during the first year of the Master's Degree in Biotechnology, and concerrns the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms. The module includes laboratory exercises.
Lectures will be held in English.

The method for the assessment of learning outcomes includes an oral exam by the designated Commission, lasting approximately 30 minutes, on the topics covered during the lessons of the Toxicology module.
Students having valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), disabilities or other training needs regularly presented to the University, can submit requests for adaptation during the exam, which must be received at least 10 working days before the scheduled exam date, carefully following the instructions provided at the link https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/comunicazioni.

The achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed during the exam by evaluating the student's knowledge of the different topics covered in the program, the use of appropriate scientific terminology, and the ability to correlate concepts and reason scientifically. If the learning objectives are not met, the student will be invited to further assess his/her knowledge and, if necessary, request additional clarifications/explanations by contacting the teacher.

Galli, Corsini, Marinovich - Tossicologia. Ed. Piccin.
Greim, Deml - Tossicologia. Ed. Zanichelli.
Curtis D. Klaassen, Casarett, Doull's - Toxicology. The basic science of poisons. 9th edition. Ed.McGraw Hill.
Cantelli Forti, Galli, Hrelia, Marinovich - Tossicologia molecolare e cellulare. Ed. UTET.