General Info

Learning objectives

The course aims to prepare students with KNOWLEDGE of microbial processes applicable in
industry and the environment. Providing the study of microorganisms IN APPLICATIONS aimed at
improving the quality of life, reducing the impact of human activities on the environment and
recovering degraded environments. The course will also allow the acquisition of techniques to be
able to EVALUATE the progress and monitoring of microbial processes. Finally, the student will
acquire the ability to COMMUNICATE the possible microbial applications of physiological
phenomena with a technical terminology, thus LEARNING the possibility of exploiting microbial
metabolism in the biotechnology field.

• Silvia CROGNALE

Learning objectives

The module aims is to provide an overview of the methods and techniques which are used within
modern molecular modeling to study molecular and biomolecular systems. The module of
Computational Methods consists of both theoretical lectures and practical computer exercises.
Learning achievements:
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: understand the principles of computational methods
presented in the course. The student should be able to understand the potentialities and the use of
computational methods for the study of biological systems.
CAPACITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND COMPREHENSION: Understanding of the theoretical
aspects of computational methods in order to choose the most suitable computational technique
for studying the system of interest.
AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT: the student must be able to interpret the results obtained by
molecular modeling calculation and discuss them logically.
COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS: The student must have developed a good oral exposure capacity of
the acquired concepts.

LEARNING CAPACITY: The student must be able to describe the properties of the biomolecular
systems by critically using the techniques discussed in the course.
The module aims is to provide an overview of the methods and techniques which are used within
modern molecular modeling to study molecular and biomolecular systems. The module of
Computational Methods consists of both theoretical lectures and practical computer exercises.
Learning achievements:
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: understand the principles of computational methods
presented in the course. The student should be able to understand the potentialities and the use of
computational methods for the study of biological systems.
CAPACITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND COMPREHENSION: Understanding of the theoretical
aspects of computational methods in order to choose the most suitable computational technique
for studying the system of interest.
AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT: the student must be able to interpret the results obtained by
molecular modeling calculation and discuss them logically.
COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS: The student must have developed a good oral exposure capacity of
the acquired concepts.
LEARNING CAPACITY: The student must be able to describe the properties of the biomolecular
systems by critically using the techniques discussed in the course.

Learning objectives

The module aims to provide students with the theoretical and applicative bases of biocatalytic
systems applied to various industrial sectors. A broad overview of biocatalyst-assisted processes
with real commercial relevance is provided
At the end of the course, the student will also acquire the following:
1) knowledge and understanding: at the end of the course and following the individual study
commitment, the student will acquire a comprehensive overview of the impact of biocatalysis in the
industrial sector concerning the production of consumer goods and fine chemicals
2) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: at the end of the course and following the
individual study commitment, the student reaches an adequate preparation which, together with
the other more specific knowledge that he will acquire in the sequel, will allow him to apply the
acquired knowledge to the possible implementation of biocatalytically-assisted phases in industrial
processes. In particular, guidelines will be provided for selecting the catalyst, the possible
immobilization method and the reactor configuration most suitable for the target application.
Furthermore, he will have elements that allow him to make a targeted choice between possible
alternative commercial formulations of a given enzyme based on the information provided by the
manufacturer and scientific literature.
3) Making judgements: attendance of the course, together with individual study efforts, will enable
the student to work with independent judgment also through critical consultation and comparison of
teaching materials of various types and to analyze data related to production processes critically
4) Communication skills: at the end of the course attendance associated with an individual study
commitment, the student will be able to communicate the acquired knowledge using appropriate
terminology and will be able to interact positively and exchange information with peers.
5) Learning skills: the information also acquired by attending the course will allow the student to

promote his self-updating by finding functional elements through the targeted consultation of
information channels derived from scientific literature and accredited websites

Learning objectives

The course will be focused on the most innovative principles and experimental approaches regarding the
production of proteins to be used in biotechnological approaches related to human health. The course will
also extend the knowledge on aspects related to the relation between the structure and the biological
activity of the pharmacologically active proteins. Particular emphasis will be paid on antimicrobial peptides
and on the applications of antibodies in diagnosis and care. This knowledge will be applied in the
biotechnology field. Communication skills and attitude to learn will be evaluated.
The main objective to be reached are:
1. knowledge and understanding of general informations on bioactive molecules;
2. applying knowledge and understanding of the protein drugs production;
3. making judgements;
4. communication skills;
5. learning skills. 
This knowledge will be applied in the biotechnology field. Communication skills and attitude to learn will be
evaluated.

• Francesco BUONOCORE

Learning objectives

TRAINING OBJECTIVES

1) Homics is a set of biomolecular disciplines that belongs to the life sciences and which is divided into different themes (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics).
The main objective of the course is to enable the student to face the study of the main analytical techniques and instruments by deepening his knowledge of modern omic analyzes, essentially applied to a modern vision of early diagnosis. The student will be prepared to face the search for new diagnostic markers in clinical and non-clinical analyzes. At the end of the lectures, during the scheduled workshop (24h), students are given the opportunity to work individually on practical and practical topics. In this way, the student will acquire the ability to analyze the different protein expression starting from protein extracts and the possibility of applying modern analytical tools.

b) EXPECTED LEARNING RESULTS:
1) Knowledge and understanding:
Having acquired a good analytical ability in the field of omics and biotechnology

2) Knowledge and applied comprehension skills:
Knowing how to integrate the knowledge acquired in the individual disciplines into an interdisciplinary knowledge necessary to face any complex problem in the biotechnology sector, in particular being able to apply the knowledge of mass spectrometry to the various applications related to biotechnology.

3) Autonomy of judgment
Students will have to develop the ability to process complex and / or fragmentary information and to arrive at original and autonomous ideas and judgments capable of finding and critically selecting sources of bibliographic data, databases, and the
scientific literature. The autonomy of judgment is developed through the critical study of scientific articles.

4) Communication skills:
The student will be able to hold a critical public discussion on the topics covered in particular will be able to apply proteomics and metabolomics techniques for any scientific topic of interest .. Will be able to work in a team in the field of design and execution of experimental protocols as laboratory credits are foreseen.

5) Ability to learn:
The student will have the ability to identify, apply and develop innovative techniques in the relevant field of work autonomously.

• Anna Maria TIMPERIO

Learning objectives

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Genetic toxicology developed as a discipline independent of genetics with the aim of defining a solid program for the control of the spread of chemical, physical and biological mutagens in the environment. The discovery of an ever-increasing number of mutagenic substances already present or continuously introduced into the environment and the confirmation of the increasingly close correlation between processes of mutagenesis, carcinogenesis and hereditary genetic diseases, has led to the development of laboratory methodologies capable of identifying mutagenic substances and the development of monitoring systems to evaluate the onset of genetic effects in the human population.
The course aims to acquire basic knowledge relating to the genotoxic and mutagenic action of chemical and physical agents and the cellular response to DNA damage. In a subsequent step, the theoretical and practical aspects of the main short-term mutagenesis tests will be presented.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Knowledge and understanding:
At the end of the course, students will have an in-depth knowledge of the basic principles of genetic toxicology such as the generation of mutations through the different mechanisms of formation of primary DNA lesions, consequent repair processes and final fixation of the mutation. Furthermore, they will have learned the main genotoxicity and mutagenicity tests and will have developed the ability to develop experimental protocols.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding:
Students will be continuously encouraged to make use of the knowledge acquired during the course and during laboratory exercises in order to apply it to specific problems of the subject such as, for example, the genotoxic capacity of a chemical or physical agent as well as the potential application of the techniques learned.

3. Making judgements:
The course will provide the student with the ability to work independently by providing appropriate types of teaching materials (lectures in the form of presentations, specific monographs, relevant scientific literature) and carrying out appropriate laboratory activities coordinated with the theoretical part of the course.

4. Communication skills:
During the lessons it will be stimulated students' ability to think and discuss about the topics covered as well as the comparison of opinions to develop their communication skills. These skills will then be tested in the examination.

5. Learning skills:
Students will be able to expose and develop scientific issues related to the course. The active involvement of students through oral classroom discussions and experiences in the laboratory practices, will develop that skill.

• Roberta MESCHINI

Learning objectives

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

The course introduces concepts and experimental approaches to the chemistry of bioactive substances by consolidating the principles gained under the organic chemistry course, focusing on biogenesis, synthesis, chemical structure and pharmacological properties of bioactive substances. In the first part of the course, the concept of the "pharmacophore theory" as a minimal structural unit characterized by a specific biological and clinical activity will be introduced. Bioactive substances, both of synthetic and natural origin, will be classified according to their main pharmacophores. The student will learn how to recognize the pharmacophore even in the context of complex molecular structures. In the second part of the course, critical tools will be provided to associate certain pharmacophores to specific pharmaceutical and pharmacological applications, with particular attention to the molecular action mechanism by which the bioactive substances act in the body. The student will be able to understand the natural origin of bioactive organic substances and their possible industrial applications by receiving specific training on the design, development and evaluation of new drugs. In addition, due to the knowledge of molecular action mechanisms, the student may associate the use of bioactive substances with specific nutraceutical, cosmeceutic and cosmetic products, including restrictions on the use of potentially toxic substances and the possibility of their use after functional and structural improvement. This knowledge will enable the student to deal with a professional career within the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical industry.

EXPECTED LEARNING RESULTS

• Knowledge and understanding: Knowledge of the principles that define the minimum structural unit of an organic, natural or synthetic molecule, to have a certain biological activity (pharmacophore theory). Knowledge of the relationship between the type of pharmacophore present in an organic molecule and the pharmaceutical and pharmacological activity. Knowledge at a molecular-level of the action mechanism of the major families of bioactive substances, with particular attention to substances with antibiotic, antibacterial, antiviral and antitumor activity. Knowledge of the key steps for the design of a drug, and procedures for its clinical validation and use. Knowledge of the origin and distribution in nature of the main families of biologically active natural organic substances.
• Applied knowledge and understanding: In addition to the knowledge gained through the bioactive substance chemistry study, students will be able to apply theoretical concepts acquired during the course in solving practical exercises based on the teacher's request to present possible schemes for the design of a drug, having the initial indication of the target of action at the molecular level and knowing the type of pathology against which the treatment therapy is to be developed. In this case, students will also have to apply their previous knowledge of chemistry and biology for complete resolution of the problem.
• Making judgements: At the end of the course, the student will have acquired the necessary training for full autonomy of judgement on the possibility of using a certain organic substance of natural or synthetic origin for the therapy of a certain pathology. The student will then be able to link the acquired knowledge of biochemistry, molecular biology, enzymology, physiology and genetic to the design of a substance applicable in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical fields.
• Communication skills: students will be continuously and consistently invited to participate actively in the lesson in order to deepen the topic and to collect proposals for possible solutions in the case of complex pathological scenarios. In this activity, students will be asked to compare themselves in order to support their ideas. The teaching tool is aimed at growing communication skills and the ability to know how to work and confront each other in a group, all aimed at consolidating the concepts acquired.
• Learning Skills: Students' learning abilities will be assessed during the course of the course through midterm tests that will allow for individual tracking of the state of knowledge maturation, highlighting the student's ability to give back.

• LORENZO BOTTA

Learning objectives

LEARNING OBJECTIVES ENGLISH B2
This dynamic course goes beyond the basics, delving into the nuances of English writing that set it apart from Italian. Students will learn the techniques to craft compelling documents and concise essays directly relevant to your field of study, giving them a tangible advantage in their academic pursuits.
While focusing primarily on honing their reading and writing skills, the interconnectedness of language must be acknowledged. Therefore, listening and speaking are also woven into the learning experience. This immersive approach allows students to absorb the language naturally, addressing grammar and phonology, ensuring a practical and engaging learning experience.
The final goal is the achievement of level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference
(CEFR), adopted by the Council of Europe by means of which the student:
* Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his / her field of specialisation.
* Can interact with a certain fluency and spontaneity that make natural interaction with native
speakers possible without effort for the interlocutor.
* Can produce clear and detailed text on a wide range of topics and explain a point of view on a topic providing the pros and cons of the various options.
A core focus of the course is understanding the power of text and context. Through insightful text analysis, you'll learn to identify the precise vocabulary, appropriate register, and effective outlining techniques needed for compelling essay writing. While exploring diverse topics, special emphasis will be given to scientific texts. To further develop listening comprehension skills, access to targeted audio resources will be guaranteed.
Valuable presentation skills will be acquired by students. Each lesson will provide an opportunity for students to prepare and deliver presentations on topics of their own choice using diverse tools and modalities, boosting their confidence and fluency in spoken English. This dynamic approach ensures students to develop all necessary skills to communicate effectively in academic and professional settings.

• Julie anne HOBSON