Knowledge and understanding.
The objectives of this course are to expose students to strategies and techniques used to study basic cell biology and human diseases using model systems and simple organisms.
Applied knowledge and understanding.
By the end of the course, students should be able to: a) Read, understand
and critically analyze primary research articles; b) describe commonly
studied simple organisms and understand the experimental advantages
and disadvantages of each; c) Describe techniques used to produce lossof-
function or gain-of-function of a gene; d) Describe genetic and nongenetic
approaches to disease modeling; e) Design experiments using
the strategies, techniques and considerations discussed in the course.
Making judgements.
By the end of the course, the student will be able to critically evaluate
data and scientific literature. In addition, she/he will be able to evaluate
specific advantages and disadvantages of various model systems.
Communication skills.
By the end of the course, the student will be able to clearly present and
critically evaluate concepts and knowledge acquired.
Learning skills.
By the end of the course the student will be able to broaden
autonomously her/his knowledge on the subjects of the course, by
accessing specialized scientific literature.

Students must know basic cellular and molecular biology. Knowledge of vertebrate and invertebrate embryology is an advantage.

How do scientists discover the basic biology underlying human diseases? Simple organisms such as baker's yeast or fruit flies, as well as various in vitro models, allow biologists to investigate the molecular basis of embryonic development and human disease at multiple levels.
In this course, using also examples from the literature, students will learn the principal models used in biomedical research.
The contents of the course are consistent with the educational objectives reported in the “Regolamento Didattico” of the program (Corso di Studio).

There are no textbooks. All material presented and discussed in class will be available on the MS Teams platform. Additional on-line material will be used to complement what discussed in the class.

In this course, using also examples from the literature, students will learn principal models used in biomedical research.
We will discuss the main features of various model systems. Our goal will be to understand the strategies biologists use to build appropriate models of human disease, and to appreciate both their power and limitations.
In particular (but not exclusively) we will discuss the most used model organisms: S.cerevisiae, C.elegans, D.melanogaster, X.laevis, D.rerio, M.musculus.
The ethical and regulatory aspects concerning animal experimentation will be briefly discussed, in particular the principle of the 3Rs.
In addition, we will thoroughly discuss experimental models based on cell cultures, as well as in vitro approaches for the study of complex biological mechanisms.

Lectures. Seminars by invited experts. Discussion of research articles with active involvement of the students. Any changes to the methods described here that may be necessary to ensure the application of safety protocols in the context of possible emergency situations will be announced on the Department website, the Course of Study and on the Moodle page for teaching.

n.a.

The assessment is done with a written test in which open questions are proposed. The student will have to demonstrate that he/she is able to discuss the proposed topics in a concise but complete way using an appropriate language. Both the knowledge of the topics and the ability to adequately describe them will be evaluated. Scores will be assigned as follows: (30-30 e lode): excellent knowledge of the subject; excellent ability to present and critically evaluate concepts and knowledge acquired. (27 -29): very good knowledge of the subject; very good ability to present and critically evaluate concepts and knowledge acquired. (24-26): good knowledge of the subject; good ability to present and critically evaluate concepts and knowledge acquired. (21-23): knowledge of the main subjects of the program; sufficient ability to present and critically evaluate concepts and knowledge acquired. (18-20): incomplete but acceptable knowledge of the main subjects of the program. (<18): insufficient knowledge of the main subjects of the program. Any changes to the methods described here that may be necessary to ensure the application of safety protocols in the context of possible emergency situations will be announced on the Department website, the Course of Study and on the Moodle page for teaching

This course explores topics closely related to one or more goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs)