ID:
SCV0980
Durata (ore):
48
CFU:
6
SSD:
Biologia cellulare e applicata
Anno:
2026
Dati Generali
Periodo di attività
Primo Semestre (25/09/2026 - 22/01/2027)
Syllabus
Obiettivi Formativi
Educational Objectives
The course aims to provide students with an up-to-date overview of the main advanced technologies currently employed in biomedical and translational research. Through the integration of theoretical lectures and hands-on laboratory activities, students will acquire knowledge of modern experimental approaches used in gene therapy, genome editing, advanced cellular models, and innovative strategies for regenerative medicine.
The course is organized into two teaching units. The first unit introduces the major omics technologies and their applications in biomedical research. The second unit focuses on cutting-edge experimental approaches in translational biomedicine, with particular emphasis on gene therapy, viral vectors, genome editing technologies, advanced three-dimensional cell models, organ-on-chip platforms, and biomaterials for regenerative medicine. The laboratory module will provide students with practical experience in the production and use of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors, mammalian cell transduction, and analysis of gene expression by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy.
The course contributes to the training of students capable of critically understanding modern experimental methodologies and evaluating their potential applications in biomedical research and translational medicine.
Expected Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Describe the principles and applications of the major omics technologies and advanced methodologies used in biomedical research.
2. Explain the biological and molecular principles underlying gene therapy, genome editing technologies, and the major viral vectors employed for gene delivery.
3. Compare the advantages, limitations, and biomedical applications of different gene therapy strategies, advanced cell models, and emerging experimental platforms used in translational medicine.
4. Apply experimental techniques for the production of AAV vectors, mammalian cell transduction, and sample preparation for immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy.
5. Critically interpret experimental results obtained using advanced molecular and cellular biology methodologies by relating them to the theoretical concepts covered during the course.
The course aims to provide students with an up-to-date overview of the main advanced technologies currently employed in biomedical and translational research. Through the integration of theoretical lectures and hands-on laboratory activities, students will acquire knowledge of modern experimental approaches used in gene therapy, genome editing, advanced cellular models, and innovative strategies for regenerative medicine.
The course is organized into two teaching units. The first unit introduces the major omics technologies and their applications in biomedical research. The second unit focuses on cutting-edge experimental approaches in translational biomedicine, with particular emphasis on gene therapy, viral vectors, genome editing technologies, advanced three-dimensional cell models, organ-on-chip platforms, and biomaterials for regenerative medicine. The laboratory module will provide students with practical experience in the production and use of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors, mammalian cell transduction, and analysis of gene expression by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy.
The course contributes to the training of students capable of critically understanding modern experimental methodologies and evaluating their potential applications in biomedical research and translational medicine.
Expected Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Describe the principles and applications of the major omics technologies and advanced methodologies used in biomedical research.
2. Explain the biological and molecular principles underlying gene therapy, genome editing technologies, and the major viral vectors employed for gene delivery.
3. Compare the advantages, limitations, and biomedical applications of different gene therapy strategies, advanced cell models, and emerging experimental platforms used in translational medicine.
4. Apply experimental techniques for the production of AAV vectors, mammalian cell transduction, and sample preparation for immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy.
5. Critically interpret experimental results obtained using advanced molecular and cellular biology methodologies by relating them to the theoretical concepts covered during the course.
Prerequisiti
To fully understand the topics covered in this course, students are expected to have a basic knowledge of molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry.
Metodi didattici
The course consists of lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations. Students will be encouraged to actively participate in discussions with the instructors and their classmates. In addition to lectures, the course includes seminars delivered by invited experts in the field.
The laboratory module consists of 12 hours of hands-on practical activities. Working in small groups, students will produce a recombinant AAV vector, transduce mammalian cells, prepare samples for immunofluorescence analysis, and evaluate transgene expression using confocal microscopy.
The laboratory module consists of 12 hours of hands-on practical activities. Working in small groups, students will produce a recombinant AAV vector, transduce mammalian cells, prepare samples for immunofluorescence analysis, and evaluate transgene expression using confocal microscopy.
Verifica Apprendimento
Student learning will be assessed through a 30-minute oral examination, during which selected topics from both teaching units will be discussed.
The examination is designed to assess the achievement of the expected learning outcomes by evaluating students' understanding of the biological and experimental principles underlying the advanced technologies presented throughout the course, as well as their ability to integrate concepts across different topics.
The final grade, expressed on a 30-point scale, will be based on the following criteria:
• knowledge and understanding of the course topics;
• ability to critically integrate and connect different course contents;
• appropriate use of scientific terminology and clarity of presentation.
The final grade will be calculated as the weighted mean of the marks obtained in the two modules of the Integrated Course:
Module I – Advanced Biomedical Techniques (First Semester)
Module II – Stem Cells (Second Semester)
The course is successfully completed if the final grade is 18/30 or higher.
The examination is designed to assess the achievement of the expected learning outcomes by evaluating students' understanding of the biological and experimental principles underlying the advanced technologies presented throughout the course, as well as their ability to integrate concepts across different topics.
The final grade, expressed on a 30-point scale, will be based on the following criteria:
• knowledge and understanding of the course topics;
• ability to critically integrate and connect different course contents;
• appropriate use of scientific terminology and clarity of presentation.
The final grade will be calculated as the weighted mean of the marks obtained in the two modules of the Integrated Course:
Module I – Advanced Biomedical Techniques (First Semester)
Module II – Stem Cells (Second Semester)
The course is successfully completed if the final grade is 18/30 or higher.
Contenuti
Teaching Unit 1 (2 CFU): Omics technologies in biomedical research
This module introduces the theoretical foundations and practical applications of modern omics technologies in biomedical research. Students will explore systems biology and precision medicine concepts, advanced genomic and transcriptomic sequencing approaches, state-of-the-art proteomics technologies and data analysis workflows, FAIR data principles, and public repositories. The course also covers emerging omics disciplines—including metabolomics, lipidomics, single-cell and spatial omics—and introduces multiomics integration, network biology, and artificial intelligence for biomarker discovery, patient stratification, and personalized medicine.
• Theoretical foundations of omics technologies
• Advanced Next Generation Sequencing and Basic bioinformatics for DNA and RNA analysis
• Proteomics and Functional proteomics
• Proteomics data analysis and data reuse
• Emerging omics technologies: Metabolomics, Single-cell multiomics, Spatial omics, Multiomics integration
Teaching Unit 2 (4 CFU): Advanced Technologies in Translational Biomedicine
• Historical development of gene therapy: milestones, achievements, challenges, and future perspectives.
• Gene therapy strategies and genome editing: gene addition, gene silencing, immunomodulation, CRISPR/Cas9, and other genome-editing platforms.
• Major viral vectors for gene delivery: adenoviral, retroviral, lentiviral, herpes simplex virus (HSV), and adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors.
• Biology of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs): genome organization, replication cycle, serotypes, and tissue tropism.
• Design, production, and therapeutic applications of recombinant AAV vectors.
• Current challenges and future perspectives in gene therapy.
• Advanced cell models: three-dimensional cell cultures, spheroids, organoids, and their applications in biomedical research.
• Organ-on-chip technologies and microfluidic systems.
• Biomaterials for regenerative medicine and advanced drug and gene delivery systems.
• Seminars focusing on advanced cell models and emerging technologies in translational biomedicine.
Laboratory Module
Students will produce a recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector, perform mammalian cell transduction, prepare samples for immunofluorescence analysis, and evaluate transgene expression by confocal microscopy. Throughout the laboratory sessions, students will become familiar with experimental design, protocol execution, image acquisition, and the critical interpretation of experimental results.
This module introduces the theoretical foundations and practical applications of modern omics technologies in biomedical research. Students will explore systems biology and precision medicine concepts, advanced genomic and transcriptomic sequencing approaches, state-of-the-art proteomics technologies and data analysis workflows, FAIR data principles, and public repositories. The course also covers emerging omics disciplines—including metabolomics, lipidomics, single-cell and spatial omics—and introduces multiomics integration, network biology, and artificial intelligence for biomarker discovery, patient stratification, and personalized medicine.
• Theoretical foundations of omics technologies
• Advanced Next Generation Sequencing and Basic bioinformatics for DNA and RNA analysis
• Proteomics and Functional proteomics
• Proteomics data analysis and data reuse
• Emerging omics technologies: Metabolomics, Single-cell multiomics, Spatial omics, Multiomics integration
Teaching Unit 2 (4 CFU): Advanced Technologies in Translational Biomedicine
• Historical development of gene therapy: milestones, achievements, challenges, and future perspectives.
• Gene therapy strategies and genome editing: gene addition, gene silencing, immunomodulation, CRISPR/Cas9, and other genome-editing platforms.
• Major viral vectors for gene delivery: adenoviral, retroviral, lentiviral, herpes simplex virus (HSV), and adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors.
• Biology of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs): genome organization, replication cycle, serotypes, and tissue tropism.
• Design, production, and therapeutic applications of recombinant AAV vectors.
• Current challenges and future perspectives in gene therapy.
• Advanced cell models: three-dimensional cell cultures, spheroids, organoids, and their applications in biomedical research.
• Organ-on-chip technologies and microfluidic systems.
• Biomaterials for regenerative medicine and advanced drug and gene delivery systems.
• Seminars focusing on advanced cell models and emerging technologies in translational biomedicine.
Laboratory Module
Students will produce a recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector, perform mammalian cell transduction, prepare samples for immunofluorescence analysis, and evaluate transgene expression by confocal microscopy. Throughout the laboratory sessions, students will become familiar with experimental design, protocol execution, image acquisition, and the critical interpretation of experimental results.
Lingua Insegnamento
INGLESE
Altre informazioni
Appointments can be arranged by email at i.barbiero@uninsubria.it; tiziana.alberio@uninsubria.it
Corsi
Corsi
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Laurea Magistrale
2 anni
No Results Found
Persone
Persone (2)
Docenti di ruolo di IIa fascia
Ricercatori a tempo determinato
No Results Found