Medical Biotechnology

Aims and advantages of generating and using mouse models for studying human diseases - Ethical and legislative aspects related to animal experimentation (3R Rule, Legislative Decree 26/2014) - Genotyping techniques: PCR and Southern blotting - Characterization and maintenance of genetically modified animal colonies - Methodologies for generating "conventional" genetically modified mouse models: transgenic mice and "knockout" mice - "Conditional" and/or inducible genetically modified mouse models: the Cre/LoxP system; conditional "knock-in" mice; Use of reporter genes (the IRES-GFP system) - The CRISP/Cas9 system for editing the mouse genome - Methodologies for genetic manipulation of the hematopoietic system: retroviral vectors and bone marrow transplantation - 3D cell cultures as a valid alternative to animal testing - Examples of mouse models for studying human diseases: T-cell leukemias; regulatory T cells; and experimental autoimmune diabetes

Reviews and scientific articles (from international journals) and lesson slides