MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY

To provide students the theoretical and practical knowledge of the main techniques used to analyze the structure and function of biomolecules, in particular those that led to the development of new disciplines such as genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics.

Teaching (8 CFU) includes 42 hours of frontal lessons and 28 hours of laboratory exercises. For lectures, the teacher will make use of power point presentations and videos, also in English. If the teaching is given in a mixed or remote mode, the necessary changes will be introduced, in order to respect the program reported here. Learning assessment might also be carried out remotely, should the conditions related to Covid-19 epidemiological emergency require it.

As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their specific needs and on teaching objectives of the discipline. It is also possible to ask the departmental contacts of CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs), in the persons of professors Giovanna Tropea Garzia and Anna De Angelis.

The manipulation of nucleic acids. Southern and Northern blots. Molecular and genomic markers. Qualitative and quantitative PCR. Cloning techniques and vectors. The genetic transformation of prokaryotes. Preparation and analysis of cDNA and genomic libraries. The DNA microarray technology. Subtractive hybridization. Methods of nucleic acid sequencing. RNAseq. The genetic transformation of eukaryotes. Cisgenesis and Intragenesis. Genome editing. Expression Vectors and fusion proteins. The recombinant DNA technology in the food industry.

1) Biochimica e biologia molecolare: Principi e Tecniche, Wilson K., Walker J., ed. Raffaello Cortina (ottava edizione).

2) Rao R., Leone A., Biotecnologie e genomica delle piante, Idelson-Gnocchi ed.

3) Scientific articles provided by the teacher