Teaching code

4S009814

Academic staff

Federica Brunoni, Nicola Frison

Coordinator

Federica Brunoni

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

BIO/04 - PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

Period

2° periodo lezioni (2B) dal Apr 5, 2027 al May 20, 2027.

Courses Single

Authorized

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

The course is included in the learning area on Law, new technologies, sustainability. The course aims to illustrate some of the strategic biotechnological applications and supply chains at national and European level in areas such as energy, environment, health, agriculture, and food. It will illustrate the most interesting biotechnological practices to achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal, aimed at the sustainable management and use of natural resources and waste, ensuring the integrity of the ecosystem and preserving biodiversity. Increase the productivity to meet the needs of an ever-increasing world population to improve health, ensure food security, reduce inequalities, hunger and malnutrition are the current global challenges, also in response to climate changes.
At the end of the course the student will acquire a basic and integrated scientific view of biotechnologies and of their articulated, innovative, multidisciplinary nature and will be able to apply this knowledge to the solution of legal problems.
The student will acquire the skill to face and solve real problems in the professional context in which she/he will work, orienting her/his competence towards compliance, having the necessary tools for the verification of biotechnological products and processes and to set up, in written and oral form, also through working group, written exercises and the Problem Based Solving (PBS) method, the solution of specific issues, using the appropriate and peculiar disciplinary terms, adopting the correct path of thinking and discussion, and formulating independent judgments. The teaching method used is functional to the continuous learning and updating of the acquired knowledge.

Prerequisites and basic notions

No prior knowledge is required.

Program

The course aims to illustrate the most recent applications of biotechnology in areas such as energy, environment, health, agriculture and food.
The programme is structured as follows:
- Biotechnology: definition, traditional and innovative; classification; the biotechnology market;
- Outlines of molecular biotechnology: isolation of nucleic acids from cells; DNA manipulation; introduction of DNA into living cells; recombinant DNA technology; cloning vectors; the study of genomes; genome editing;
- Strategies for increasing the productivity of plants of agricultural interest in a scenario of climate change; use of sensor technology also applied in vivo on plants; biofortification and functional foods; molecular farming and biofactories (microalgae; cell cultures) for the production of high-value compounds; RNA-based biopesticides.
- RNA vaccines and new gene therapies based on genome editing (e.g. Casgevy);
- Definitions of wastewater, solid-liquid waste and by-products and biotechnological approaches for their treatment and/or valorisation;
- Technical and legal barriers for the valorisation of bio-based products from wastewater and waste.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The course comprises in-presence lectures (5 CFU, 30 hours) and remote lectures (1 CFU, 6 hours). During the in-presence lectures, scientific papers/case studies with examples of biotechnological innovations will be examined, with the aim of highlighting possible limits of application in the production sector and identifying possible alternative solutions.
The distance learning lectures (1 CFU, 6 hours), scheduled in synchronous mode, are dedicated to an in-depth examination of the topics developed in the classroom, also with the participation of expert researchers in the field. The dates and times of the distance lessons will be agreed in the classroom during the lectures.
Video recordings of the lessons will be provided for students who are in particular situations of fragility due to disability or learning disorders and for those who find themselves in situations of limited mobility due to COVID.

Learning assessment procedures

Written examination lasting two hours, consisting of two open-ended questions on the topics covered during the course, and one question in which the resolution of a problem through the application of biotechnological approaches will be asked.
The examination procedure will be the same for attending and non-attending students.
For ERASMUS students, the examination will consist of a written work, in Italian or English, on the part of the programme previously accorded with the teachers.

Evaluation criteria

The evaluation will take into account the degree of depth and relevance of the answers, the property of language and the critical ability of analysis.

Exam language

Italiano

Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs

This initiative contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN Agenda 2030. More information on sustainability