The course "INTEGRATED LABORATORY OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR METHODOLOGIES" consists of two modules, namely "Biochemical Methodologies" (6 ECTS) and "Genetic Engineering" (6 ECTS), both of them including lectures, classroom exercises and practical work.
Aims of the course are:
1) acquisition of theoretical / practical knowledge of biomolecular methodologies and basic bioinformatics techniques supporting experimental analysis
2) acquisition of application skills in the field of biomolecular disciplines
3) acquisition of theoretical-practical knowledge of genetic engineering and the study of recombinant proteins
4) acquisition of theoretical-practical knowledge of modern methods applied to diagnosis to identify, evaluate and species.
5) development of ability to apply basic biochemical and biotechnological methodologies.
Students must acquire the following knowledges and competences, which are coherent with the profile of the Degree in Biothecnology:
1) KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING
- Main lab techniques in biochemistry for analysis and purification of macromolecules with a focus on proteins and enzymes. The biochemistry methods cover the basics used in any molecular biology labs.
- Main methods in different areas of molecular biology for clinical, industrial and environmental applications. Lab practicals deal with the topics mentioned above as well as the safety and "good lab practices".
2) APPLYING KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the lessons and laboratory activities, the student must demonstrate the following skills:
- Methodology selection and application of chromatography, electrophoresis and spectroscopy to biological molecules studies;
- Set up simple tests to measure the enzymatic activity
- Analysis and quantitation of macromolecules and small molecules of biological interest
- Ability to interpret and execute gene cloning protocols in eukaryotic and prokaryotic expression vectors
- Know the main tools for modulating gene activity (RNAi, KO, KI, Crispr-cas9)
- Calculating dilutions, molarity, cell counts, dimensional equations for lab applications;
- Safety in lab with real practice of risks: bunsen, classified chemicals, chemical fume hood, bacterial manipulation;
3) INDIPENDENCE IN JUDGMENT
Judgment of experimental results is required, as well as team work discussion and dealing with the distribution of technical/scientific competences and responsibilities.
4) COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Students will be required to demonstrate an adequate technical and scientific lexical richness to expose the experimental results. Team work will be encouraged and promoted via the evaluation of the capacity of sharing competences, discussing criticality and adopting corrective strategies.
