BIOTECHNOLOGY AND LAB-ON-A CHIP

Module Mod. Molecular Biotechnology

The aim of the course is to provide students with knowledge on the cell, the molecular mechanisms associated and the biotechnological processes that derive from it, in order to stimulate the ability to design new application approaches. In particular, the study of the organisation of a cell, the structure of macromolecules and the molecular mechanisms in which they are involved, the experimental approaches used for analysis and utilization of cells and macromolecules in biotechnology will be explored.

The course consists in lectures for the acquisition of the required knowledge and the performance of exercises aimed at their application.

Basic knowledge in physics and chemistry

Attendance at the course is not compulsory, although it is strongly recommended in order to be able to perform the practical test adequately.

1. INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY

-Biotechnology and its applications. Advent of the biotechnological revolution. Application of biotechnology in medical, pharmacological, agri-food, environmental, forensic. The organisms used in biotechnology.

2. THE BASICS OF BIOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION: THE CELL

-Structural and functional characteristics of a cell. Differences between viruses, prokaryotes, eukaryotes. Internal organization of the cell. The plasma membrane. The cytoskeleton. Specialized functional organelles. The life cycle of a cell.

3. STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES.

-Chemical and physical properties and biological role of cellular components. Structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Genome and gene organization. Classes of RNA and their functional versatility.

-The molecular mechanisms. DNA replication. DNA polymerases, the replicative fork and DNA synthesis. RNA transcription. RNA polymerases, transcription factors, and promoters. Protein translation. The genetic code and its rules. The ribosome, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, tRNAs.

4. PRINCIPLES AND METHODS TO STUDY THE CELL.

-Methods to study cells. Cell culture. Analysis of cells and their characteristics and components by microscopy, cytofluorimetry, techniques based on antigen-antibody recognition.

5. PRINCIPLES AND METHODS TO STUDY MACROMOLECULES.

-Methods based on DNA and RNA.

-DNA and RNA-based methods. Extraction and purification of DNA and RNA from cells and biological samples. Methods of measurement and quantification of nucleic acids. Methods of nucleic acid analysis: electrophoresis, PCR amplification, sequencing techniques. Methods of nucleic acid manipulation: DNA mutagenesis. Recombinant DNA technology.

-Protein-based methods.

Extraction and purification of proteins by chromatography. Protein measurement and quantification methods. Methods of protein analysis: electrophoresis, mass spectrometry and proteomics, immunological techniques. Methods of studying proteins: protein arrays, expression of recombinant proteins, techniques of interaction between proteins and other macromolecules.

Molecular Biology Of The Gene, James D. Watson, Alexander Gann, Tania A. Baker, Michael Levine, Stephen P. Bell, Richard Losick, 7Th Edn, Pearson

 Biotechnology-Applying the Genetic Revolution, David Clark and Nanette Pazdernik Biotechnology, Edition 2^nd, AP Cell

The examination consists of a practical test and an oral test. The practical test consists in the design of an experimental approach to study the function and use of macromolecules in the field of biotechnology. Completion of this test by the end of the course allows access to the oral test. The final evaluation will be determined by the evaluation of both those.

For attending students there will be possible to do a midterm test shortly after the end of the course. The test lasting a maximum of two hours consists of questions (multiple choice and / or open) to check the knowledge acquired on of the contents covered during the course. If this test is passed, answering correctly to at least 50% of the questions, the oral exam is not compulsory but at the discretion of the student. The final evaluation will be determined by averaging the evaluation of the questionnaire with the evaluation of the course project.

Evaluation at the oral interview will be based on: the knowledge of the contents, the relevance of the answers with respect to the questions formulated, the property of technical language, the ability to make connections between the contents of the program.