08625 - Applied Genetics

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students acquire some skills related to the basic concepts of structure and function of genetic material. In particular, students may familiarize themselves with basic and practical aspects of recombinant DNA techniques, may acquire technical mastery aimed at a molecular genetic analysis, using an experimental approach and processing experimental data to validate the initial hypothesis.

Course contents

The course aims to be a technical-theoretical aid to the knowledge of some of the molecular technologies that are used today in many scientific disciplines.

Genetics provides more and more tools to analyze the genetic and biological identity of each of us. How much do we as individuals depend on our genetic makeup? How important are genetic characteristics in life, that is, the alleles present in our genome? The different molecular techniques, easy and wide to use, allow today to characterize our identity and our predispositions. The enormous advantage for the diagnosis of certain diseases is accompanied by the analysis of biological individuality, possibly also used for aptitude tests and interviews aimed at a job. This discussed and threatened intrusion into our private life sometimes arouses fears and concerns. In fact, each individual could be identified and filed on the basis of his molecular fingerprint.
We will prepare to think together about all this - after a first step dedicated to the acquisition of practical-theoretical tools related to molecular biology - to better understand the enormous potential of the laboratory techniques currently in use.

We will evaluate articles, news, information of a scientific nature, coming both from the media and from specialized publications, to address topical issues, sometimes also treated in an alarmist or scandalous sense.

How genes regulate the development of a living being.

How faulty processes lead to disease, and how it can be prevented.

Genetic engineering in medicine and in the production of current goods.

Therapeutic proteins thanks to genetic engineering.

Production of transgenic organisms, animal experiments, ethical problems.

Biochemical basis of applied molecular genetics

Laboratory tools for molecular genetics applications

Characterization of genomic DNA

Isolation and characterization of transcript

Various issues will be addressed that involve:

Viruses, Microbiome, Epigenetics, Stem cells, Immunogenetics, homeotic genes, Crisper, Gene Driver

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching methods

Frontal theoretical lessons

Assessment methods

PowerPoint presentation of a topic agreed with the teacher

Teaching tools

Power Point

Links to further information

https://campimagnetici2012.wordpress.com/

Office hours

See the website of Gianfranco Giorgi