Medical Biotechnology

Activity type

Discipline biotecnologiche comuni, Discipline fondamentali applicate alle biotecnologie

SSD

MEDS-02/A, MEDS-02/A

Year

1st year

Semester

2nd semester

CFU

4

Hours distribution

32 classroom hours

Lecturers

CRISTINA CERBONI
GIOVANNI BERNARDINI

Activity type

Discipline biotecnologiche comuni

SSD

MEDS-02/A

Year

1st year

Semester

2nd semester

CFU

3

Hours distribution

24 classroom hours

Lecturers

ZEIN MERSINI BESHARAT
ELISABETTA FERRETTI

Activity type

Attività formative affini o integrative

SSD

MEDS-26/A

Year

1st year

Semester

2nd semester

CFU

3

Hours distribution

24 classroom hours

Lecturers

MARIA HELENA STABILE
GIOVANNI BERNARDINI

Activity type

Attività formative affini o integrative

SSD

MEDS-26/A

Year

1st year

Semester

2nd semester

CFU

2

Hours distribution

16 classroom hours

Lecturers

AGNESE PO

General objectives:
The main objective of the teaching is to provide the student with more knowledge in the fields of immunology and diseases associated with the immune system, as well as with general pathology. The deepening of the cellular and molecular processes underlying different diseases, and of the new diagnosis and therapeutic tools offered by biotechnologies, will offer the student an up-to-date view on the different possibilities of diagnosis and therapy.

Lectures will help to develop competences on the etiopathogenic bases of diseases, fundamental for a biotechnological medical approach to themselves.

Specific objectives:
The Immunology and Immunopathology part of the course is aimed at providing the students with the basic knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying the main immune-mediated disorders in humans, and how they can be exploited for innovative biotechnology-based diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
Particular attention will be given to the study of chronic inflammatory diseases, response to infections, allergic reactions, rejection of organ and tissue transplants, immunotherapies of tumors and primary immunodeficiencies.
The part of the course related to Molecular and Cellular Pathology aims to provide the basic knowledge to make the student able to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate pathological processes in humans. The knowledge of the pathogenetic mechanisms of human diseases, at the molecular and cellular level, allows to create the necessary substrate for a biotechnological approach in different fields, such as prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and clinical aspects of human diseases. In particular, the focus will be on the molecular and cellular bases of those human diseases whose incidence has increased in recent years, in relation to the fact that the average age of the human population has grown. Therefore, diseases such as malignancies and chronic degenerative diseases – e.g., diabetes and atherosclerosis - will be discussed. The pathogenetic mechanisms of non-coding RNA (microRNA and long non-coding RNA) will be also examined. Molecular mechanisms regulating the maintenance of stem cells, their use for therapeutic purposes and the involvement of cancer stem cells in the maintenance of tumor processes will be described. The methods of next generation sequencing (NGS) and some practical examples will be discussed as well.

For both modules, among the specific objectives that the student will achieve at the end of the course, there will be:
- the ability to perform bibliographic searches in international scientific databases (eg PubMed);
- the ability to select scientific articles on the topics covered during the course;
- the ability to understand and elaborate a scientific article in English;
- the integration of the knowledge acquired during the course with the international scientific literature;
- the ability to communicate orally, through a computer presentation (with the power point program), the results described in a scientific article;
- the ability to study autonomously, self-administered and integrating material from multiple sources (textbooks, material provided by teachers, scientific literature).

The ability to search scientific data and literature on specific subjects, the ability to assess the impact that the various scientific journals have in the international community, together with the knowledge and skills in the field of immunology and pathology, will provide the student with useful and crucial tools for consulting multiple sources, developing research projects, analyzing data, communicating results, and gaining more knowledge on some of the latest biotechnological innovations applied in the biomedical field.

Immunology and immunopathology module

The student will need to know the cellular and soluble components of the immune system, as well as their functioning within the immune response. In particular, the basic knowledge required at the beginning of the teaching are:
- General characteristics of immune responses.
- Cells and tissues of the immune system.
- Innate immunity: cells and soluble mediators.
- Adaptive immunity: CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes, MHC and antigen presentation, cytokines.
- Receptors and signaling pathways of the immune system.
- Lymphocyte maturation and BCR/TCR rearrangement.
- Adaptive immunity: B lymphocytes, antibodies, cytokines.
- Effector mechanisms of humoral immunity.

Module: Immunology and immunopathology - Molecular and cellular pathology I
During the course, the topics will be the following:

- Inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and their receptors: etiopathogenetic role.
- Cells of innate immunity: NK and ILCs.
- Mucosal immunity.
- Immunity to bacterial and viral infections.
- Immunity and tumors: new biotechnological approaches in tumor immunotherapy.
- Prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.
- Allergies.
- Congenital immunodeficiencies: gene and cell therapy approaches.
- Immunity and transplantation: new biotechnological approaches in the control of rejection reactions of organ and tissue transplants.
- Tolerance and autoimmunity.




Module: Immunology and immunopathology - Molecular and cellular pathology II
Pathophysiology and New Technologies in the Management of Metabolic Diseases
Chronic degenerative diseases of metabolic interest: diabetes mellitus, metabolic disorders.
Main tissue and circulating biomarkers in metabolic diseases.
Precision medicine approaches and risk stratification.
Overview of monitoring technologies and omics approaches applied to metabolism.

Pathophysiology of Endocrine Diseases
Principles of molecular and cellular pathology of endocrine diseases.
Concepts of cellular adaptation applied to endocrine disorders.

microRNA Function and Biogenesis / microRNA and Disease
Pathogenetic mechanisms related to alterations of non coding RNAs:
microRNAs: biogenesis, mechanisms of action and deregulation in diseases.
Circulating microRNAs as disease biomarkers

Long Non Coding Functions and Biogenesis / Long Non Coding RNAs and Disease
Long non coding RNAs: biogenesis and main mechanisms of action.
Examples of deregulated lncRNAs in oncologic and metabolic diseases.

Sequencing Techniques
Principles of first generation sequencing (Sanger). Basic applications in molecular diagnosis.
Introduction to Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies. Main platforms (Illumina, Ion Torrent). Applications: genome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, targeted sequencing.
Principles of third generation sequencing (single molecule, long read sequencing). Advantages and limitations compared with previous generations.

Spatial Transcriptomics in Oncology
Concept of spatial transcriptomics and differences from bulk and single cell transcriptomics.
Applications in oncology: tumor heterogeneity, tumor microenvironment, spatial biomarkers.

Disease Biomarkers in the Era of Precision Medicine
Definition of tissue biomarker. Concept of liquid biopsy and main components (circulating DNA, circulating RNAs, circulating tumor cells). Advantages and limitations compared with conventional tissue biopsy.
Cancer stem cells: definition and characteristics. Role of stemness as biomarker and therapeutic target. Brief overview of epigenetic mechanisms associated with stemness.

Biomedical Databases
Types of biomedical databases (genomic, transcriptomic, variant, clinical annotation). Basic notions on accessing and using major resources.
Examples of integrated use of databases for research and diagnostics. Overview of extracting information relevant to molecular pathology.

Integration of Omics Data and Network Medicine
Principles of multi omics data integration (genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics).
Concept of network medicine and molecular and interdisciplinary interaction networks.
Examples of applications to complex diseases (e.g. cancers, metabolic disorders).

Epigenetics and Examples of Multi Omics Integration
Basic concepts of epigenetics (DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin).
Role of epigenetics in molecular pathology (oncology, metabolic diseases).
Examples of studies integrating epigenomic and other omics data.





Module: Immunology and immunopathology - Molecular and cellular pathology III
During the course, the topics will be the following:

- Inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and their receptors: etiopathogenetic role.
- Cells of innate immunity: NK and ILCs.
- Mucosal immunity.
- Immunity to bacterial and viral infections.
- Immunity and tumors: new biotechnological approaches in tumor immunotherapy.
- Prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.
- Allergies.
- Congenital immunodeficiencies: gene and cell therapy approaches.
- Immunity and transplantation: new biotechnological approaches in the control of rejection reactions of organ and tissue transplants.
- Tolerance and autoimmunity.




Module: Immunology and immunopathology - Molecular and cellular pathology IV
Pathophysiology and New Technologies in the Management of Metabolic Diseases
Chronic degenerative diseases of metabolic interest: diabetes mellitus, metabolic disorders.
Main tissue and circulating biomarkers in metabolic diseases.
Precision medicine approaches and risk stratification.
Overview of monitoring technologies and omics approaches applied to metabolism.

Pathophysiology of Endocrine Diseases
Principles of molecular and cellular pathology of endocrine diseases.
Concepts of cellular adaptation applied to endocrine disorders.

microRNA Function and Biogenesis / microRNA and Disease
Pathogenetic mechanisms related to alterations of non coding RNAs:
microRNAs: biogenesis, mechanisms of action and deregulation in diseases.
Circulating microRNAs as disease biomarkers

Long Non Coding Functions and Biogenesis / Long Non Coding RNAs and Disease
Long non coding RNAs: biogenesis and main mechanisms of action.
Examples of deregulated lncRNAs in oncologic and metabolic diseases.

Sequencing Techniques
Principles of first generation sequencing (Sanger). Basic applications in molecular diagnosis.
Introduction to Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies. Main platforms (Illumina, Ion Torrent). Applications: genome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, targeted sequencing.
Principles of third generation sequencing (single molecule, long read sequencing). Advantages and limitations compared with previous generations.

Spatial Transcriptomics in Oncology
Concept of spatial transcriptomics and differences from bulk and single cell transcriptomics.
Applications in oncology: tumor heterogeneity, tumor microenvironment, spatial biomarkers.

Disease Biomarkers in the Era of Precision Medicine
Definition of tissue biomarker. Concept of liquid biopsy and main components (circulating DNA, circulating RNAs, circulating tumor cells). Advantages and limitations compared with conventional tissue biopsy.
Cancer stem cells: definition and characteristics. Role of stemness as biomarker and therapeutic target. Brief overview of epigenetic mechanisms associated with stemness.

Biomedical Databases
Types of biomedical databases (genomic, transcriptomic, variant, clinical annotation). Basic notions on accessing and using major resources.
Examples of integrated use of databases for research and diagnostics. Overview of extracting information relevant to molecular pathology.

Integration of Omics Data and Network Medicine
Principles of multi omics data integration (genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics).
Concept of network medicine and molecular and interdisciplinary interaction networks.
Examples of applications to complex diseases (e.g. cancers, metabolic disorders).

Epigenetics and Examples of Multi Omics Integration
Basic concepts of epigenetics (DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin).
Role of epigenetics in molecular pathology (oncology, metabolic diseases).
Examples of studies integrating epigenomic and other omics data.

Module: Immunology and immunopathology - Molecular and cellular pathology I

Textbooks

K. Abbas, A. H. Lichtman, S. Pillai, Cellular and Molecular Immunology (9th Edition), Ed. Elsevier.

Pontieri, Russo, Frati: "General Pathology" Ed. Piccin

Robbins and Cotran: "The pathological basis of diseases" Ed. Elsevier.

Handouts and articles provided by the professors


Module: Immunology and immunopathology - Molecular and cellular pathology II

Textbooks

K. Abbas, A. H. Lichtman, S. Pillai, Cellular and Molecular Immunology (9th Edition), Ed. Elsevier.

Pontieri, Russo, Frati: "General Pathology" Ed. Piccin

Robbins and Cotran: "The pathological basis of diseases" Ed. Elsevier.

Handouts and articles provided by the professors


Module: Immunology and immunopathology - Molecular and cellular pathology III

Textbooks

K. Abbas, A. H. Lichtman, S. Pillai, Cellular and Molecular Immunology (9th Edition), Ed. Elsevier.

Pontieri, Russo, Frati: "General Pathology" Ed. Piccin

Robbins and Cotran: "The pathological basis of diseases" Ed. Elsevier.

Handouts and articles provided by the professors


Module: Immunology and immunopathology - Molecular and cellular pathology IV

Textbooks

K. Abbas, A. H. Lichtman, S. Pillai, Cellular and Molecular Immunology (9th Edition), Ed. Elsevier.

Pontieri, Russo, Frati: "General Pathology" Ed. Piccin

Robbins and Cotran: "The pathological basis of diseases" Ed. Elsevier.

Handouts and articles provided by the professors

Module: Immunology and immunopathology - Molecular and cellular pathology I
N/D
Module: Immunology and immunopathology - Molecular and cellular pathology II
N/D
Module: Immunology and immunopathology - Molecular and cellular pathology III
N/D
Module: Immunology and immunopathology - Molecular and cellular pathology IV
N/D

The course will mainly consist of lectures, held by each professor. Attendance is mandatory.

Some lessons could be held by foreign professors, coming from prestigious research institutes and universities, on the basis of agreements made between the professors during the Academic Year. These lessons will be mandatory, as they will be held during the calendar of the course.

Students will be also invited to attend seminars on biomedicine topics, held by national and international speakers. In this case, attendance is not mandatory.

Attendance is mandatory.

Oral exam.
During the oral examination the student must demonstrate that he has acquired sufficient knowledge of all the topics addressed in class.
To achieve a final score equal to 30/30 cum laude, the student must prove that he has acquired an excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course, and has to achieve 30/30 cum laude in both modules.
For the purposes of the evaluation, the student's ability to reason and to explain the topics clearly and with the right terminology will be taken into account, demonstrating the ability to connect them in a logical and coherent way.
In the final evaluation of each module, the percentage of presences at the lectures will be taken into consideration.

It will be the student's choice to be evaluated for one or both modules in the same day, or in different days, according to the order he/she feels more appropriate to him/her. In the latter case, the professors will take note of the score obtained in the first module chosen.

The final score will be the result of the average of the two scores obtained in the two modules.

Questions will be on the topics explained during the lessons

Module: Immunology and immunopathology - Molecular and cellular pathology I

• Inflammatory
  cytokines, chemokines and their receptors: etiopathogenetic role.


•  Cells
  of innate immunity: NK and ILCs.


• Mucosal immunity.


• Immunity
  to bacterial and viral infections.


• Immunity
  and tumors: new biotechnological approaches in tumor immunotherapy.


•  Allergies


• Congenital
  immunodeficiencies: gene and cell therapy approaches.


• Immunity
  and transplantation: new biotechnological approaches in the control of
  rejection reactions of organ and tissue transplants.


• Tolerance and autoimmunity.

• Pathophysiology of Metabolic Diseases


• New Technologies in the Management of Metabolic Diseases


• Pathophysiology of Endocrine and Renal Diseases


• Funzione e biogenesi dei microRNA


• microRNA e malattie


• long non-coding functions and biogenesis


• long non-coding RNAs and disease


• Sequencing techniques - first generation


• Sequencing techniques - second generation


• Sequencing techniques - third generation


• Spatial Transcriptomics in Oncology


• cancer cell stemness as biomarker and therapeutic target


• Biomedical Databases – Part 1


• Biomedical Databases – Part 2


• Integration of Omics Data and Network Medicin


• Tissue Biomarkers


• Liquid Biopsy


• Epigenetics and Examples of Multi‑Omics Integration


• Group Work – Part 1


• Group Work – Part 2

• Inflammatory
  cytokines, chemokines and their receptors: etiopathogenetic role.


•  Cells
  of innate immunity: NK and ILCs.


• Mucosal immunity.


• Immunity
  to bacterial and viral infections.


• Immunity
  and tumors: new biotechnological approaches in tumor immunotherapy.


• Prophylactic
  and therapeutic vaccines.


•  Allergies


• Congenital
  immunodeficiencies: gene and cell therapy approaches.


• Immunity
  and transplantation: new biotechnological approaches in the control of
  rejection reactions of organ and tissue transplants.


• Tolerance and autoimmunity.

• Pathophysiology of Metabolic Diseases


• New Technologies in the Management of Metabolic Diseases


• Pathophysiology of Endocrine and Renal Diseases


• Funzione e biogenesi dei microRNA


• microRNA e malattie


• long non-coding functions and biogenesis


• long non-coding RNAs and disease


• Sequencing techniques - first generation


• Sequencing techniques - second generation


• Sequencing techniques - third generation


• Spatial Transcriptomics in Oncology


• cancer cell stemness as biomarker and therapeutic target


• Biomedical Databases – Part 1


• Biomedical Databases – Part 2


• Integration of Omics Data and Network Medicin


• Tissue Biomarkers


• Liquid Biopsy


• Epigenetics and Examples of Multi‑Omics Integration


• Group Work – Part 1


• Group Work – Part 2