61500 - Clinical Molecular Biology

Academic Year 2018/2019

  • Docente: Gloria Isani
  • Credits: 2
  • SSD: BIO/12
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Single cycle degree programme (LMCU) in Veterinary Medicine (cod. 8617)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the lessons the students has acquired knowledges on the most important techniques of molecular biology and related application

Course contents

Applications of molecular biology to the study of the dog's genome and molecular basis of some genetic diseases: genomics, transcriptomics  and related techniques, DNA extraction and electrophoresis, PCR and microarray.  Applications of these techniques to the sudy of the dog genome and to the molecular basis of important inborn errors of metabolism (e.g. pyruvate kinase deficiency, cystinuria, von Willebrandt disease). Epigenetic modifications.

Plasma proteome: separation by different electrophoretic techniques; biochemical characteristic and function of the most important plasma serum proteins; particular attention will be paid to transport proteins, including lipoprotein function and metabolism. Electropherograms of dog, cat, horse and non conventional species.

Laboratory activities: practical work is aimed at the acquisition of basic knowledge and skills related to basic biochemical and molecular biology methods. Laboratory activities are carried out according to specific protocols and are reported in the personal laboratory notebook by each student. The laboratory notebook is checked periodically by the teacher to ascertain its correct management.


Readings/Bibliography

The teaching material consists of the suggested textbooks (see below) and of the material put on the specific course website: https://iol.unibo.it.

The suggested textbooks are:

Champe et al., Le basi della biochimica (Zanichelli)

Campbell e Farrell, Biochimica (EdiSES)
Allison, Fondamenti di biologia molecolare (Zanichelli)

Teaching methods

Practical and academic lectures. Some topics related to inborn error of metabolism will be addressed with the "problem oriented" approach. With the student agreement a topic could be deepened in groups and will be presented with a short presentation (LID approach).

It is mandatory to wear a gown for access to the teaching laboratory. When necessary, PPEs will also be provided for carrying out specific activities, such as single-use gloves and safety goggles.

Students with special needs are invited to contact the teacher by e-mail to illustrate them and to organize teaching and examinations in the most suitable way.

Assessment methods

1) Student evaluation

The class is part of an Integrated Course. The final score of the exam is based on the synthesis of the evaluations of the two classes of the integrated course. The final mark will be proportional to the CFU of each teaching course and will be registered by Gloria Isani.

The written test, containing metabolic pathways, quiz and open answers, aims at evaluating knowledge and skills acquired during the lessons and their application in problem solving. The written test should be performed within two hours.

Students wishing to take the exam in English should inform the teacher by e-mail at least two days before.

2) Exam reservation and dates of exam sessions

Students can make a reservation of the exam at: (https://almaesami.unibo.it/almaesami/welcome.htm ).

Studends that have regularly attended the course can take the exam at fixed dates within specific periods of the academic year. All the other students can take the exam in other dedicated dates.

Student who fails the exam may take it again three weeks after the previous attempt.


Teaching tools

Power point presentation; virtual labs and practical work

Office hours

See the website of Gloria Isani