Recombinant DNA techniques; cloning vectors for gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; the study of genes and genomes; the genetic manipulation of microorganism, animals and plants.
Genetic Engineering-Principles and Techniques
By Primrose, Twiman and Bold
Zanichelli (Ed)
Molecular Biotechnologies- Principles and Techniques
By Terry A. Brown
Zanichelli (Ed).
Learning Objectives
Educational objectives: Knowledge acquired: The course will provides students with knowledge on concepts and methods of molecular biotechnologies, giving information on their applications in different research areas from medicine, to environmental and agro-industrial fields.
Competence acquired
Knowledge of recent progress obtained in the frame of biotechnology research in three main areas of application: medicine, environment and agro-industrial field.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course)
To understand the significance of the possibility of DNA manipulation and to develop critical capacity on the resulting ethical issues.
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminar, private study, examinations, etc..): 150 (6X25)
Contact hours for: Lectures: 48
Further information
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab:
The attendance of the lessons is strongly recommended.
Teaching tools: slides of the lessons; scientific publications.
Office hours: to be set according to the student needs.
Type of Assessment
Exam modality: oral exam
Course program
Brief history: the birth of recombinant DNA technology; tools and techniques: restriction enzymes, cloning a gene into a vector; characteristics of cloning vectors for prokaryotes, animals and plants; the use of vectors for whole genome sequencing; DNA sequencing: conventional and unconventional methods; gene isolation techniques; methods of analysis of genes and genomes: molecular hybridization, the use of PCR; the study of gene expression and function; RNAi: basic principles and applications; the applications of recombinant DNA technology: production of heterologous proteins in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; the genetic manipulation of animals and plants: genetically modified organisms.