LABORATORY FOR ANALYSIS OF GENE ESPRESSION
LABORATORIO DI ANALISI DELL'ESPRESSIONE GENICA
| A.Y. | Credits |
|---|---|
| 2024/2025 | 8 |
| Lecturer | Office hours for students | |
|---|---|---|
| Michela Bruschi | Monday - Friday upon e-mail appointment confirmation |
| Teaching in foreign languages |
|---|
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Course with optional materials in a foreign language
English
This course is entirely taught in Italian. Study materials can be provided in the foreign language and the final exam can be taken in the foreign language. |
Assigned to the Degree Course
| Date | Time | Classroom / Location |
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| Date | Time | Classroom / Location |
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Learning Objectives
The course aims to provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in techniques for the analysis of gene expression. The course will provide an overview of classical techniques (real-time qPCR) for the detection/measurement of mRNAs and the most modern techniques (real-time qPCR) for accurate quantification of single gene expression levels. Notions on microarray and RNA-Seq techniques (based on NGS sequencing) will be provided for the evaluation of different profiles of gene expression (transcriptome). The laboratory experience will concern the organization of a strategy to evaluate the expression levels of potential target genes involved in a physiological or pathological process. To obtain results that are biologically significant in gene expression, housekeeping genes will be used to normalize the data, and appropriate statistical tests will be used.
Program
Lectures (to support laboratory activities)
1 - Processing and storage of biological samples for nucleic acid analysis.
2 - DNA/RNA Extraction.
3 - Nucleic acid quantification methods
4- RNA and transcriptomics
5 - cDNA synthesis and reverse transcription for rt-PCR
6 - Dyes and probes for amplification using rt-PCR
7 - Appropriate controls and experimental conditions
8 - Assay optimization and validation
9 - Multiplexing and statistical methods
10 - ddPCR
11- Genotyping
12 - NGS/Third generation sequencing
13- RNA seq/sc-RNA seq
14 - Spatial transcriptomics
15 - Omics analyses
16 - Gene expression analyses applications in redox-related projects
17. Presentation.
Laboratory activities
1. Objective of gene expression analysis and work strategy design.
2. Selection of housekeeping gene for data normalization.
3. Expression profile evaluation of target genes.
4. Isolation of total RNA from the selected matrix.
5. Spectrophotometric analysis.
6. Synthesis of cDNA by reverse transcription (RT).
7. Dilutions and preparation of qPCR reactions.
8. Data analysis of results.
Bridging Courses
A good knowledge of basic Molecular Biology is required to understand the course contents.
Learning Achievements (Dublin Descriptors)
D1 - Knowledge and ability of comprehension. Students will have to demonstrate that they have acquired the theoretical-practical knowledge of the experimental techniques and be able to organize the experimental design for an analysis gene expression study. Finally, students will have to be able to develop an appropriate analysis of the results to understand their biological significance.
D2 - Ability to apply knowledge and comprehension. Students will have to demonstrate that they have mastered the methodologies covered during the course and evaluate their use in an experimental context, develop a correct experimental design related to gene expression analysis, and evaluate their biological significance.
D3 - Autonomy of judgment. Students must be able to evaluate and apply the methodological knowledge obtained during the course and be able to independently process the results obtained in the experimental phase.
D4 - Communication skills. Students will have to demonstrate that they have the ability to independently find the scientific publications related to the course, and the ability to improve their theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of gene expression analysis technologies.
D5 - Learning skills. Students will demonstrate the ability to independently increase the basic knowledge of newly emerging fields of molecular biology
Teaching Material
The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it
Teaching, Attendance, Course Books and Assessment
- Teaching
Learning activities will mainly consist of lab experiences. Lectures will be intended to supply the theoretical knowledge of the leading techniques employed in the analysis of gene expression.
The schedule will be introduced at the beginning of the course.
- Innovative teaching methods
Innovative teaching methods from: https://www.uniurb.it/ateneo/servizi-ict/didattica-innovativa/didattica-innovativa:
5) CLIL Content and Language Integrated Learning
- Attendance
It is strongly recommended that students attend the lab hours
- Course books
Learning materials will be provided by the lecturer and can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it
- Assessment
The final assessment consists of a written multiple-choice test and open-ended questions. Students will elaborate an oral presentation in English (about 15-20 mins) using PowerPoint and the appropriate scientific language about a recently published paper of choice where gene expression analysis techniques are exploited.
- Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)
Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.
To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.
Additional Information for Non-Attending Students
- Teaching
Learning activities will mainly consist of lab experiences. Lectures will be intended to supply the theoretical knowledge of the leading techniques employed in the analysis of gene expression.
The schedule will be introduced at the beginning of the course.
- Attendance
Learning activities will mainly consist of lab experiences. Lectures will be intended to supply the theoretical knowledge of the leading techniques employed in the analysis of gene expression.
The schedule will be introduced at the beginning of the course.
- Course books
Learning materials will be provided by the lecturer and can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it
- Assessment
The final assessment consists of a written multiple-choice test and open-ended questions. Students will elaborate an oral presentation in English (about 15-20 mins) using PowerPoint and the appropriate scientific language about a recently published paper of choice where gene expression analysis techniques are exploited.
- Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)
Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.
To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.
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