B8303 - SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student acquires a typical engineering approach to the complexity of the processes underlying gene expression, to schematize the design and implementation principles of artificial biomolecular systems. At the end of the course, the student knows how to use theoretical and practical tools useful for the design and fabrication of biological parts, devices and synthetic systems, or for the redesign of biological parts, devices and natural systems for application purposes. In particular, the student is able to: - design genetic circuits based on a standard modular approach, - describe and predict the dynamics of genetic circuits by using computational modeling.

Course contents

Unconventional applications for nucleic acids, e.g. a) DNA nanodevices; b) DNA computing; c) autonomous molecular computers for logical control of gene expression.
What is synthetic biology?
The international Genetically Engineered Machine competition.
The Registry: a promoter and a terminator for transcription, a ribosome binding site (RBS) for translation.
Small regulatory RNAs.
The lab room and the equipment.
Safety is priority: Biological safety and disposal.
E. coli DNA: Chromosomes, plasmids and copy number.
Chemical solutions and agar plates.
BioBrick™ standard assembly and agarose gel electrophoretic analysis.
Preparation and transformation of E. coli cells.
Fluorimetry, fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry to measure a fluorescent reporter?
The lac operon.
Rational design of modular circuits for gene transcription: a test of the bottom-up approach.
A synthetic post-transcriptional controller to explore the modular design of gene circuits.

Readings/Bibliography

Slides from classes will be available.

Current literature will be circulated in class.

Teaching methods

Traditional classroom lectures, complemented by practical laboratory sessions conducted in small student groups.

Assessment methods

The exam will be a written test (multiple choice questions, open questions and calculations), intended to restitute contents presented in class. The task must be completed in a maximum of 90'.

An organic vision of the topics addressed in class, the presence of a critical sense, the possession of clarity and expressive precision and specific language will be evaluated with marks of excellence.

Having studied but uncritically expressing the contents, communicating them in a non-specialist form will lead to proportionally less remunerative scores.

You do not pass the exam in case of learning gaps.

Students with learning disabilities, or temporary/permanent disabilities, are advised to promptly contact the relevant University office at (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it). The office will recommend any adjustments, which must be submitted 15 days in advance to the teacher, who will evaluate their suitability, also taking into account the course's learning objectives, and possibly will approve them.

Teaching tools

Mol Cell Engn Lab "Silvio Cavalcanti" #3014

Office hours

See the website of Emanuele Domenico Giordano