CELL BIOTECHNOLOGIES

The course allows the student to broaden and apply the basic knowledge acquired during previous studies in the biotechnological field. The student also develops an integrated understanding of biological phenomena and an advanced scientific preparation at the cellular and/or molecular level for biotechnologic applications. Particular attention is addressed to the biomedical applications.

Frontal lessons. Seminars are planned.

Good knowledge of biological phenomena acquired with the bachelor degree.

History of biotechnology. Animal and plant cell. Cell cycle. Cell cultures: cells grown in adhesion and in suspension; mediums; primary cultures, sub-cultures, cell lines; enzymatic and mechanical dissociation; immortalization and transformation; storage. Fundamentals of microscopy and cytofluorimetry. Co-cultures, spheroids and organoids. Conditioned mediums. Xenografts. Stem cells (embryonic and adult) and induced stem cells: characteristics and applications. iPS cells (Induced Pluripotent Stem cells) and reprogramming processes. Cancer stem cells (CSCs). Animal models: mouse and zebrafish. Transgenic mice: knock-in mouse, knock-out mouse, conditional knock-out mouse. Stable and transient transfections and modulation of gene expression: transfecting agents; siRNAs; ASOs; miRNA mimics and inhibitors; carriers; CRISPR-CAS9. Cloning and reporter systems. Analysis of nucleic acids. Biomaterials. In vitro functional assays: viability, apoptosis, migration, invasion assays; wound-healing assay; angiogenesis. Cell cycle synchronization. Exosomes and applications.

Didactic material and scientific articles provided by the professor.

Oral examination.