Studying at the University of Verona

Here you can find information on the organisational aspects of the Programme, lecture timetables, learning activities and useful contact details for your time at the University, from enrolment to graduation.

This information is intended exclusively for students already enrolled in this course.
If you are a new student interested in enrolling, you can find information about the course of study on the course page:

Laurea in Biotecnologie - Enrollment from 2025/2026

The Study Plan includes all modules, teaching and learning activities that each student will need to undertake during their time at the University.
Please select your Study Plan based on your enrollment year.

CURRICULUM TIPO:

2° Year   activated in the A.Y. 2015/2016

ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
6
B
BIO/18

3° Year   activated in the A.Y. 2016/2017

ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
6
A
FIS/07
Un insegnamento a scelta 
activated in the A.Y. 2015/2016
ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
6
B
BIO/18
activated in the A.Y. 2016/2017
ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
6
A
FIS/07
Un insegnamento a scelta 

Legend | Type of training activity (TTA)

TAF (Type of Educational Activity) All courses and activities are classified into different types of educational activities, indicated by a letter.




S Placements in companies, public or private institutions and professional associations

Teaching code

4S003706

Coordinator

Donato Zipeto

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

BIO/11 - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Period

II sem. dal Mar 1, 2017 al Jun 9, 2017.

Learning outcomes

A: viruses as "enemies"
Provide the student with basic notions about 1) major bio-health viruses, 2) zoonoses and underlying mechanisms 3) emerging and re-emerging viral infections: molecular, biological and environmental causes, 5) arrested zoonoses (SARS and MERS), at risk (avian influenza) and non arrested (HIV / AIDS), 5) pandemic risk, 6) antiviral vaccinations, 7) other control and intervention measures

B: viruses like "tools"
Provide the student with information on: 1) Principles and limits of gene therapy, 2) Approaches and types of vectors, 3) Non-viral vectors, 4) Editing genes, 5) Major viral vectors, Advantages and disadvantages, 6) gene therapy clinical trials: disappointments and hopes, 7) current and future prospects

Program

Molecular Virology:
• Arbovirus (West Nile, Chikungunya, Zyka)
• Paramyxovirus (Nipah and Hendra viruses)
• Monkeypox and smallpox
• Hantavirus
• Filovirus (Ebola, Marburg) and hemorrhagic fevers
• Coronavirus: SARS and MERS
• Influenza, origin of epidemics and pandemics
• Avian influenza and swine flu, determinants of pathogenicity
• HIV: Discovery, Origin, Epidemiology
• HIV: structure, infectious cycle, pathogenesis, natural resistance
• HIV: treatments and therapies (microbicides, vaccines, antivirals)
• AIDS: new therapeutic perspectives
• New vaccine approaches: biotechnology and virological applications, molecular approaches for the development of antiviral vaccines, adjuvants

Gene Therapy:
• Introduction to gene therapy
• Non viral vectors, siRNA and miRNA, peptide vectors
• Gene editing: ZFN, TALEN, Crispr / Cas9
• Viral vectors, generality
• Adenovirus (AV)
• Adeno-associated virus (AAV)
• Herpes and poxvirus vectors
• Retroviral and lentiviral vectors
• Clinical trials: hematologic, metabolic, neurodegenerative, neuromuscular and dystrophies, cystic fibrosis
• Antitumor Gene Therapy, Oncolytic Viruses

Reference texts
Author Title Publishing house Year ISBN Notes
G. Maga Occhio ai virus (Edizione 1) Zanichelli 2016 978-88-08-17380-5
David Quammen Spillover. L'evoluzione delle pandemie Adelphi 2014 978-8-845-92929-8
M. Giacca Terapia genica (Edizione 1) Springer Verlag 2011 978-8-847-01988-1
D.Harper Virus. Applicazioni biotecnologiche e strategie di controllo. (Edizione 1) Zanichelli 2013 978-8-808-17532-8

Examination Methods

Seminar on a topic related to the course, in-depth or new, chosen by the student. Exposure will be followed by questions aimed at verifying the knowledge of the topics discussed during the course.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD), who intend to request the adaptation of the exam, must follow the instructions given HERE