Teaching code

4S003706

Teacher

Donato Zipeto

Coordinator

Donato Zipeto

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

BIO/11 - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Period

Semester 2 dal Mar 3, 2025 al Jun 13, 2025.

Courses Single

Authorized with reserve

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

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 disad-vantages, 6) gene therapy clinical trials: disappointments and hopes, 7) current and future prospects At the completion of the course students: - will have a basic understanding of zoonoses and viruses - will have acquired the knowledge necessary to understand how viruses can be engineered and used as therapeutic agents (vectors for gene therapy, oncolytic viruses).

Prerequisites and basic notions

General, molecular and cellular biology Biotechnology Basics of immunology

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, MERS, SARS-CoV-2
• 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

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Face-to-face lessons

Learning assessment procedures

oral exam, divided into two parts First part: 2-3 general questions on the program. Second part: Short seminar of max 15 minutes, on a topic chosen by the student, related to the course. It can be the description of a virus or a gene therapy protocol not covered in class, or an in-depth and update of a topic covered in class. The file that will be used for the presentation (in powerpoint or compatible format or in pdf) must be sent to the teacher by e-mail at least 2 working days before the date set for the exam session.

Evaluation criteria

First part: it is necessary to answer the questions adequately and comprehensively to access the second part. Failure to reply affects the continuation of the test.
Second part: presentation, clarity, ability to organize and present the chosen topic, as well as the preparation and ability of the student to answer the questions posed by the commission during the seminar will be evaluated

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The overall grade is formulated on the basis of the combination of the first and second parts of the exam

Exam language

Italiano/Italian. English upon requst