Master Program in Molecular Biotechnology

GENETICS MODELS OF HUMAN PATHOLOGY

Genetic models of human pathology

Academic year 2024/2025

Sommario del corso

• Course objectives
• Results of learning outcomes
• Program
• Course delivery
• Learning assessment methods
• Support activities
• Suggested readings and bibliography
• Teaching tools
• Course card

Course objectives

The general aim of the course is to illustrate the use of animal models for studying human diseases. In particular, the course illustrates the main techniques to generate mouse models (classical transgenesis, gene targeting, CRISP/cas9) and explain the use of animal models for studying the pathogenesis of human disease and for testing new therapeutic approaches. Diseases taken into consideration include cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, disorders of iron metabolism and cancer.

Results of learning outcomes

The student learns the main technical approaches for generating mouse models of human diseases. By the analysis of some examples taken from the current scientific literature, the student learns how to use animal models for the study of pathogenic mechanisms, the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the experimentation of innovative therapies. Moreover, the student learns how to present to a public a scientific paper reporting the use of an animal model.

Program

• Introduction to animal models:
  1. Gene Mutation
  2. Transgenic animals (classical transgenesis, knock-out/knock-in, conditional mutants)
  3. Gene editing
• Use of animal models for studying human diseases:
  1. Diabetes
  2. Disorders of iron metabolism
  3. Cardiovascular disorders
  4. Cystic fibrosis
  5. Cancer
  6. Developmental disorders
  7. Inflammatory disorders

Course delivery

The course is organized in some frontal lessons and in a series of short presentations in which each student illustrates to teachers and mates an animal model of a human disease taken from a scientific paper, followed by discussion. The active participation at the discussion is strongly encouraged.

After the first part (frontal lessons), the student chooses, with the help of teachers, a scientific paper to be analyzed and presented. Attendance at both frontal lessons and presentations is mandatory.

Learning assessment methods

The course grade is determined by:

1. Student presentation of a scientific paper illustrating an animal model of a human disease. Teachers evaluate the ability of the student to clearly illustrate the objective, show the data and discuss the results. The grade is expressed through a 30-point scale (minimum 18/30; maximum 30/30).
2. Multiple choice test on the topics presented in frontal lessons and in student presentations. The grade is expressed through a 30-point scale (minimum 18/30; maximum 30/30).

The final grade is the mean between A and B.

Support activities

Teachers are available for discussing issues related to the course upon appointment.

Scientific articles describing the generation of animal models of disease, are presented and discussed in classroom.

• Teaching material
• Exams and finals
• Class schedule
• Go to Moodle
• Register for the course
• Enrolled students
• Invia email agli studenti registrati
• Export table