Aim of the course

The course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of advanced molecular methodologies, including deep sequencing, single-molecule techniques, and gene-editing technologies. Particular emphasis will be placed on the application of these approaches in basic and biomedical research and in molecular diagnostics.

Course opening:

October 5, 2026, 9:00 am

Auletta Seminari

Building of Fisiologia Generale (CU026)

Lectures:

Every Monday and Wednesday 9:00-11:00

Runs until mid-December, 2025

To access the next sections students must register using Infostud credentials

 

 

 

 

MOLECULAR METHODS 

 

 Program of the course

 

Next Generation Sequencing: methodologies and applications (Lectures 1-13, 26 h)

 

Methodologies

• History of DNA sequencing

• Human Genome Project 

• Next Generation Sequencing (deep sequencing)

• NGS Platforms and technologies 

• Third Generation Sequencing

 

Applications

• GENOMICS

      • Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)

      • Whole Exome Sequencing (WES)

• TRANSCRIPTOMICS

      • RNA-seq

• EPIGENOMICS

      • ChIP-seq

      • MNAse-seq

      • DNase-seq

      • Bisulfite-seq etc.

• Metagenomics and microbiomics 

• Towards precision medicine

• NGS data analysis

• Single cell sequencing

Single Molecule Techniques and Super Microscopy (Lectures 14-15, 4 h)

 

Studying single molecules 

      • AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy)

      • Optical Tweezers and Magnetic Tweezers

      • Single molecule FRET

 

From Microscopy to Nanoscopy: beyond the limits of Abbe law 

      • STED (Stimulated Emission Depletion)

      • STORM (Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy)

      • Cryo Electron Microscopy

Advanced Tools to Target and Edit Genomes (Lectures 16-20, 10h; Laboratory Exercise, 12 h)

 

• Gene targeting by site-specific nucleases: ZFNs (Zinc Finger Nucleases), TALENs (transcription activator-like effector nucleases)

• CRISPR/CAS revolution: a simple and powerful method to edit genomes 

• Applications of the CRISPR/CAS system

• Future perspectives of gene and genome editing

• Cloning single-guide RNA expressing vectors (Lab exercise)

Textbooks and Learning Materials

There is no specific textbook required for this course. A basic knowledge of biomolecular techniques is expected in order to successfully follow the course.

Selected review articles and research papers, together with lecture materials (PDFs), will be made available on the course website through the e-learning platform

 

TEXTS

 

Basic knowledge

  • Wilson and Walker’s Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (8th edition) – Hofmann A & Clokie S, Cambridge University Press (2018)
  •  
    Biotecnologie Molecolari, principi e tecniche (2a edizione) – Brown TA, Zanichelli 2017
  • Gene Cloning and DNA Analysis: An Introduction (7th edition) - Brown TA, Wiley & Sons (2016)
  • Molecular Biology of the Gene (7th, 8th editions) (chapter 7; Appendix) – Watson et al., Pearson Publishing, Zanichelli ed.
  • From Genes to Genomes – Dale JW, Von Schantz M, Plant N, Wiley-Blackwell eds.*
  • Molecular Biology (chapters 1-5) - Zlatanova & Van Holde - Taylor & Francis, Zanichelli  

 

 

Specific knowledge

 

  • Reviews and articles (available on the course website)
  • Next-Generation DNA Sequencing Informatics – Brown, CSHL press#
  • Atomic Force Microscopy For Biologists – Morris et al., Imperial College Press#

 

* Available at the Department library (Antropologia)

#  Available at the teacher’s room (Fisiologia Generale, 1° floor, Room 10)