Biochemistry

General skills. On completion of the course, the student: - will be able to illustrate and compare different methods for the industrial production of pharmaceutical substances using biotechnological techniques; - will be able to evaluate the strategy underlying the use of the different production systems, such as bacteria, animal and plant cells for biotechnological drugs (for example: antibiotics, vaccines, proteins for therapeutic use, monoclonal antibodies); - will acquire basic notions of new methodological approaches for the development of biotechnological drugs (e.g.: gene therapy, stem cells). Specific skills. The main target of the Biochemical Biotechnologies II - Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies course is to provide the student with knowledge and skills related to the application of: - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology techniques for the identification of a biotechnological drug (targeted therapeutic strategy); - Biotechnology of recombinant DNA and protein engineering for the development and production of biotechnological drugs. Furthermore, the student will have basic notions on the immunogenicity of biotechnological drugs and will be able to understand the meaning of the pharmacological parameters for the quality assurance of the developed products. Teaching takes place in the form of lectures and group work, but will also include seminars held by industry professionals and specialists in the field, to provide students with a direct contact with the research and development area at an industrial level. a) knowledge and understanding. Students will gain up-to-date knowledge in the field of Biotechnological Techniques (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) and relevant pharmaceutical application. In particular, they will deepen their knowledge of: - design and production of recombinant vaccines, humanized antibodies, anticancer drugs, enzymes in diagnostics and molecular therapy; RNA and SiRNA interfering techniques as therapeutic tools; - use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies. b) applying knowledge and understanding. Students will be able to approach research in the biochemical/pharmacological field using the latest biotechnology methodologies and also be able to identify the appropriate and profitable research strategy to best address the design of novel diagnostic methods, follow new-generation therapeutic/pharmacological approaches or improve existing therapies. c) making judgments. The course will consist of interactive lessons held in a classroom, but will include seminars held by industry professionals and specialists in the field. The general concepts and important points of the Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies are explained using an interactive approach based on class discussion and questions aimed at developing a problem-solving attitude, both during lectures and seminars. Students will be invited to ask questions and analyse the topic under discussion so as to acquire and improve their proactive and critical attitude, also using skills and knowledge acquired during previous courses. d) communication skills. Student will be able to analyse topics of the Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies course program. They will able to account for the development of biotechnological methods are used nowadays in pharmaceutical research and industry. The final examination will allow evaluation of the student's communication skills, in relation to what they learnt during the course. e) learning skills. Students will be able to deepen the topics covered during the course through recommended texts and documents. Students will also develop a learning ability that will allow them to update their knowledge through the consultation of updated scientific bibliography.