ID:
SCV0824
Durata (ore):
56
CFU:
6
SSD:
BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE
Anno:
2026
Dati Generali
Periodo di attività
Primo Semestre (03/10/2026 - 27/01/2027)
Syllabus
Obiettivi Formativi
Course aims - Recombinant proteins are essential components across modern biotechnology, spanning therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, vaccine antigens, industrial enzymes, food-grade proteins, and emerging biomaterials. Efficient and cost-effective production of high‑quality recombinant proteins is a cornerstone of biomedical, pharmaceutical, industrial, and agrifood innovation.
This course provides a comprehensive and advanced overview of recombinant protein production, with a focus on heterologous gene expression in microbial, eukaryotic, and emerging cell‑free systems. Students will learn how to strategically select expression hosts, design expression constructs, and apply optimization approaches to improve yield, solubility, biological activity, and post‑translational modifications.
The course also introduces current trends in host engineering and sustainable bioproduction, including synthetic biology tools, novel chassis organisms, and bio‑based process integration aligned with the needs of the circular and bio‑based economy.
As part of the Bio-based Industry curriculum, this course equips students with a solid foundation for designing and implementing heterologous expression strategies for recombinant protein production. Practical laboratory sessions complement the theoretical lectures, enabling students to gain hands‑on experience with experimental workflows and optimization strategies.
Learning outcomes - By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Design recombinant protein production strategies based on protein properties and intended applications, selecting the most appropriate heterologous expression system.
(e.g., microbial, yeast, insect, mammalian, plant, or cell‑free platforms)
Optimize gene expression and process parameters to enhance yield, solubility, folding, and activity, applying troubleshooting approaches to address common production bottlenecks.
Interpret, evaluate, and integrate scientific data related to protein expression workflows, applying this knowledge to project design, case studies, and problem‑solving activities.
Communicate scientific concepts effectively, both orally and in written form, using appropriate terminology, formats, and data presentation standards.
Demonstrate independent decision‑making in planning and executing a recombinant protein expression project—from construct design to production and basic downstream analysis.
Critically assess emerging technologies and expression platforms, considering sustainability, scalability, regulatory aspects, and functional requirements relevant to the bio‑based and health industries.
This course provides a comprehensive and advanced overview of recombinant protein production, with a focus on heterologous gene expression in microbial, eukaryotic, and emerging cell‑free systems. Students will learn how to strategically select expression hosts, design expression constructs, and apply optimization approaches to improve yield, solubility, biological activity, and post‑translational modifications.
The course also introduces current trends in host engineering and sustainable bioproduction, including synthetic biology tools, novel chassis organisms, and bio‑based process integration aligned with the needs of the circular and bio‑based economy.
As part of the Bio-based Industry curriculum, this course equips students with a solid foundation for designing and implementing heterologous expression strategies for recombinant protein production. Practical laboratory sessions complement the theoretical lectures, enabling students to gain hands‑on experience with experimental workflows and optimization strategies.
Learning outcomes - By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Design recombinant protein production strategies based on protein properties and intended applications, selecting the most appropriate heterologous expression system.
(e.g., microbial, yeast, insect, mammalian, plant, or cell‑free platforms)
Optimize gene expression and process parameters to enhance yield, solubility, folding, and activity, applying troubleshooting approaches to address common production bottlenecks.
Interpret, evaluate, and integrate scientific data related to protein expression workflows, applying this knowledge to project design, case studies, and problem‑solving activities.
Communicate scientific concepts effectively, both orally and in written form, using appropriate terminology, formats, and data presentation standards.
Demonstrate independent decision‑making in planning and executing a recombinant protein expression project—from construct design to production and basic downstream analysis.
Critically assess emerging technologies and expression platforms, considering sustainability, scalability, regulatory aspects, and functional requirements relevant to the bio‑based and health industries.
Prerequisiti
The student who attends this course will be asked to apply the knowledge acquired in the core curriculum of the First Cycle Degree: Biochemistry; Molecular Biology, (and in particular recombinant DNA techniques such as amplification and cloning, but also gene expression regulation mechanisms); and Microbiology. In order for the student to be able to carry out the experimental work during the planned laboratory activities, the knowledge and practical skills acquired during the course of Biochemical Methodologies are required.
Metodi didattici
The course consists of 32 hours of lectures and 24 hours of practical activities in the lab. Each lesson will be carried out by treating a specific topic (from cloning techniques, to individual heterologous expression systems) focusing on specific problems related to the production of recombinant proteins and the strategies to possibly avoid or solve them. PowerPoint presentations with the slides discussed during lectures, will be available in advance on the e-learning platform. Papers reporting case studies will be discussed and provided as didactic material. For practical activities (6 practice of 4 hours each, grouped in two different weeks), students will be divided into small groups. After a general introduction to illustrate the objectives and the practical methods of execution, the students will organize and carry out the experimental activities under the supervision of the lecturer. Attendance to practical activities is mandatory (at least 75% of the scheduled activities).
Verifica Apprendimento
Verification of learning will be carried out through a written examination designed to assess the student’s understanding of the topics discussed during the course and the knowledge acquired. The written test consists of four open‑ended questions, each evaluated up to 8 points.
The laboratory activity will be assessed through an oral presentation of the experimental results. Student groups who performed the same set of experiments will prepare a PowerPoint presentation describing the procedures adopted and the outcomes obtained, which will then be discussed with the lecturer and with their colleagues.
The final grade is expressed on a 30‑point scale, and the exam is considered passed with a minimum score of 18/30. The final mark corresponds to the weighted arithmetic average of the written examination and the oral presentation, according to their respective ECTS contributions.
The criteria used to evaluate the acquired knowledge and skills include:
Depth and accuracy in addressing the subject matter of each question.
Critical ability to integrate and connect the knowledge acquired regarding challenges in recombinant protein expression.
Ability to apply theoretical concepts to design an expression strategy in one or more suitable heterologous systems.
Problem‑solving skills, demonstrated through the ability to propose solutions using the tools and strategies discussed during the course.
Clarity of exposition and the use of appropriate scientific terminology.
The laboratory activity will be assessed through an oral presentation of the experimental results. Student groups who performed the same set of experiments will prepare a PowerPoint presentation describing the procedures adopted and the outcomes obtained, which will then be discussed with the lecturer and with their colleagues.
The final grade is expressed on a 30‑point scale, and the exam is considered passed with a minimum score of 18/30. The final mark corresponds to the weighted arithmetic average of the written examination and the oral presentation, according to their respective ECTS contributions.
The criteria used to evaluate the acquired knowledge and skills include:
Depth and accuracy in addressing the subject matter of each question.
Critical ability to integrate and connect the knowledge acquired regarding challenges in recombinant protein expression.
Ability to apply theoretical concepts to design an expression strategy in one or more suitable heterologous systems.
Problem‑solving skills, demonstrated through the ability to propose solutions using the tools and strategies discussed during the course.
Clarity of exposition and the use of appropriate scientific terminology.
Contenuti
6 ECTS divided into 32 hours of lectures (4 ECTS), 24 hours of practical laboratory activities (2 ECTS).
The course provides an integrated overview of the principles, technologies, and production platforms used for recombinant protein expression across microbial, eukaryotic, and cell free systems. Topics include:
Foundations of recombinant protein production — applications, endogenous vs. heterologous sources, overview of major expression systems.
Construct design & optimization — cloning methods, vector architecture, promoters, multigene expression, codon usage, folding assistance, secretion, glyco engineering.
Microbial platforms — E. coli systems and specialized strains; inclusion bodies (formation, prevention, recovery); alternative hosts (Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Vibrio, Streptomyces).
Yeast & insect cell systems — methylotrophic/non methylotrophic yeasts, secretion and glycosylation; baculovirus–insect cell expression and advanced engineering strategies.
LEXSY & trypanosomatids — integrative/constitutive/inducible expression, secretion, folding, membrane proteins, glyco engineering, multigene expression.
Mammalian cell expression — main cell lines, transient vs. stable expression, secretion, PTM quality, production conditions.
Cell free systems — reaction components, cell extracts, reconstituted systems, platforms, formats, yield optimization, folding, PTMs, non canonical amino acids.
Emerging frontiers — smart host engineering, AI assisted design, bioprocess intensification, biofoundry & automation, molecular farming, precision fermentation, sustainability (TEA/LCA).
The laboratory module provides hands‑on experience with key experimental strategies used in recombinant protein production. Activities include:
Application of directed evolution techniques, including error‑prone PCR and screening of enzymatic variants.
Expression trials aimed at production yield optimization, with a focus on the impact of growth medium composition and cultivation parameters.
Critical discussion and interpretation of experimental results, connecting practical observations with theoretical concepts.
In addition, students will engage in a guided design exercise, where they will develop a complete expression strategy for a commonly used recombinant protein or enzyme. This activity integrates the concepts and tools introduced during the course, requiring students to make informed decisions regarding host selection, construct design, expression conditions, and expected downstream considerations.
The course provides an integrated overview of the principles, technologies, and production platforms used for recombinant protein expression across microbial, eukaryotic, and cell free systems. Topics include:
Foundations of recombinant protein production — applications, endogenous vs. heterologous sources, overview of major expression systems.
Construct design & optimization — cloning methods, vector architecture, promoters, multigene expression, codon usage, folding assistance, secretion, glyco engineering.
Microbial platforms — E. coli systems and specialized strains; inclusion bodies (formation, prevention, recovery); alternative hosts (Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Vibrio, Streptomyces).
Yeast & insect cell systems — methylotrophic/non methylotrophic yeasts, secretion and glycosylation; baculovirus–insect cell expression and advanced engineering strategies.
LEXSY & trypanosomatids — integrative/constitutive/inducible expression, secretion, folding, membrane proteins, glyco engineering, multigene expression.
Mammalian cell expression — main cell lines, transient vs. stable expression, secretion, PTM quality, production conditions.
Cell free systems — reaction components, cell extracts, reconstituted systems, platforms, formats, yield optimization, folding, PTMs, non canonical amino acids.
Emerging frontiers — smart host engineering, AI assisted design, bioprocess intensification, biofoundry & automation, molecular farming, precision fermentation, sustainability (TEA/LCA).
The laboratory module provides hands‑on experience with key experimental strategies used in recombinant protein production. Activities include:
Application of directed evolution techniques, including error‑prone PCR and screening of enzymatic variants.
Expression trials aimed at production yield optimization, with a focus on the impact of growth medium composition and cultivation parameters.
Critical discussion and interpretation of experimental results, connecting practical observations with theoretical concepts.
In addition, students will engage in a guided design exercise, where they will develop a complete expression strategy for a commonly used recombinant protein or enzyme. This activity integrates the concepts and tools introduced during the course, requiring students to make informed decisions regarding host selection, construct design, expression conditions, and expected downstream considerations.
Lingua Insegnamento
INGLESE
Altre informazioni
The lecturer is always available to receive students, preferably by appointment (via requests to the email address silvia.sacchi@uninsubria.it). Prof. Sacchi is also available for in-depth or clarification meetings for groups of students on the topics covered by the course, that will be scheduled in the same way.
Corsi
Corsi
BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR THE BIO-BASED AND HEALTH INDUSTRY
Laurea Magistrale
2 anni
No Results Found
Persone
Persone
Docenti di ruolo di IIa fascia
No Results Found