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Academic year 2021/2022
Master's Degree (MSc) on MEDICAL BIOTECHNOLOGIES AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE

Coordinator Prof. Simona Fontana
Class of Master's Degree (MSc) on Pharmaceutical, veterinary and medical biotechnologies (LM-9)
2 years
PALERMO
Number of seats in local planning: 35
Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics
Course Code
2011

Course info
2nd cycle graduates in Medical Biotechnologies and Molecular Medicine should possess basic knowledge of congenital or acquired medical and surgical human pathologies, where they may intervene with a biotechnological approach, both in diagnosis and in therapy. Graduates must know and be able to apply: the typical methodologies of cellular, molecular and gene-transfer biotechnologies, for the identification and validation of therapeutical targets as well as innovative diagnostic solutions for molecular medicine, oncology, regenerative medicine and biocompatibility; the innovative technologies of genetic engineering for genic therapies; the technologies for the therapies with stem cells; the applied technologies for the study of genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics; the techniques envisaging the use of biomaterials and nanotechnologies applied to medicine; the human assisted reproduction techniques. Graduates will acquire: familiarity with the principles of experimental design upon biological systems; command of the access methods to biotechnological databases in the biomedical field; ability to produce experimental in vitro and in vivo models for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutical approaches. Graduates should also be able to design and apply, together with graduates in Medicine and Surgery, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the specific areas of competence. The Degree Course is divided into four semesters and it is articulated in frontal lectures, seminars, laboratory practice and internships, providing the professional training of medical biotechnologists; in the preparation of an experimental dissertation, with the student attending a highly qualified and specialised laboratory; in international laboratory experiences, thanks to Erasmus mobility; in internships at biotechnological companies. The course programs also provides, through integrative non-frontal teaching activities, the development of the following soft skills: a) problem solving; a) formulation of autonomous judgments; c) ability to work in a group; d) organising and planning activity; e) ability to communicate effectively; f) ability to acquire new knowledge and to analyse and synthesise information; g) ability to design research plans and to critically evaluate scientific works. The course as a whole aims at providing students qualified practical training and the acquisition of soft skills, to educate graduates with advanced skills, adequate to fit in the labour market.
Profile: Biotechnologist competent in diagnostic and therapeutical biotechnologies applied to medicine and namely to molecular medicine. Functions: Researcher in basic and translational research in the clinical field. The skills acquired by graduates outline a professional profile with an educational level enabling him/her to an effective inclusion in both basic and clinical research activities. Competences: Advanced theoretical-practical knowledge of cell and molecular biology; Technical procedural skills, acquired through the intense practice and laboratory activities provided in various teachings; Ability to use complex advanced technological tools; Advanced knowledge of the organisation and expression of genomes and their computer analysis, as well as of the functional analysis of proteome and applied proteomics; Knowledge and skills in the field of cell and tissue engineering and advanced biotechnologies, applied to various human pathologies; Knowledge of medical genetics for the diagnosis of genetic diseases; Knowledge and experimentation skills in the biomedical field, by the use of in vivo and in vitro models; Knowledge and technical skills with respect to cell and gene therapy; Ability to understand the scientific results obtained during the internship and to communicate them in public; Scientific updating ability. Professional opportunities Scientific research in national and international public and private university facilities. Scientific research and technological development in public national (Istituto Superiore di Sanita, CNR, IRCCS, health research institutions) and international research agencies. Profile: Biotechnologist competent in diagnostic and therapeutical biotechnologies applied to medicine and namely to molecular medicine. Functions: Researcher in the pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnological industry. Skills: Innovative cell and molecular biotechnology skills; Gene transfer skills, to identify and validate therapeutic targets; Knowledge of innovative diagnostic approaches in the clinical field; Knowledge in the field of regenerative medicine and biomaterials; Ability to use basic and innovative biotechnological tools, including the typical platforms of genetic engineering and the applied technologies for studying genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics. Ability to use experimental models in vivo and in vitro. Professional opportunities Scientific research and technological development activities in the pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnological industry. Profile: Biotechnologist competent in diagnostic and therapeutical biotechnologies applied to medicine and namely to molecular medicine. Functions: High school teacher in the class A060 Skills: The acquired theoretical knowledge and practical skills provide teaching skills as well as the ability to organise laboratory activities for practical demonstrations to students. Communication skills and clearness are developed in the power-point presentations as well as in the discussion of papers within individual teaching courses (journal club), and above all in internship reports and during the final examination. The internship reports are a peculiar elaboration and communication training of the Degree Course, being performed in front of various teachers and all students of the course, during a “meeting day” about the research activities carried out during internship periods. Cultural updating autonomy. Professional opportunities: Teaching in the scientific area in high schools, class A060). Profile: Biotechnologist competent in diagnostic and therapeutical biotechnologies applied to medicine and namely to molecular medicine. Functions: Operator in the area of scientific communication. Skills: Communication skills developed in the internship reporting activity; Biomedical scientific competence; Ability to read and understand scientific language; Ability to review the technical aspects and the results of international scientific publications; Lab meeting and journal club experiences during internship activities; Knowledge of innovative biotechnologies and ability to use tools and technologies; Knowledge of pharmacology and pharmacogenomics. Professional opportunities: Scientific communication in the pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnological industry. Profile: Biotechnologist competent in diagnostic and therapeutical biotechnologies applied to medicine and namely to molecular medicine. Functions: The knowledge and skills of graduates in Medical Biotechnologies and Molecular Medicine enable them, in compliance with regulations in force, to obtain the qualification for the profession of Biologist. Skills: Medical biotechnologies and molecular medicine; Theoretical-practical skills in the field of clinical diagnostics; Medical genetic skills for the diagnosis of genetic diseases and the definition of genetic profiles; Scientific knowledge of pathologies; Knowledge of forensic genetics. Professional opportunities: Biomedical diagnostics activities in public and private laboratories, including the laboratories of the scientific investigation (RIS) departments of the Carabinieri. Profile: Biotechnologist competent in diagnostic and therapeutical biotechnologies applied to medicine and namely to molecular medicine. Functions: Clinical monitor or research associate in public or private healthcare, supporting medical doctors in monitoring clinical trials in various phases and for various therapeutical areas. Skills: Biomedical scientific knowledge; Knowledge of pathologies and of the diagnostic-therapeutical technical procedures, acquired during internships in clinical or biomedical laboratories; Knowledge and skills in cell and tissue engineering applied to various pathologies; Ability to read and understand scientific language; Ability to understand scientific results and ability of scientific updating achieved during the internship. Professional opportunities: Collaboration with doctors in monitoring clinical trials and in the design and application of biotechnological diagnostic and therapeutical strategies. Work activity on behalf of the sponsor of the study or the health company by contract within the research project. Profile: Biotechnologist competent in diagnostic and therapeutical biotechnologies applied to medicine and namely to molecular medicine. Functions: The degree enable graduates to participate in public administration competitive selections for LM-9 graduates. Skills: All the basic skills envisaged by specific ministerial regulations for the degree class LM-9. Professional opportunities: Employment in the public administration in positions requiring a 2nd cycle degree in class LM-9
The final paper should be original and experimental. The final examination consists in the discussion of a dissertation of original results obtained by the students while attending a laboratory for a minimum period of 7 months and related to an experimental activity in the field of medical Biotechnologies and Molecular Medicine. The final paper, or part of it, might also be prepared at other Italian or foreign, public or private institutions and companies, accredited by the University of Palermo.

course outline
Teachings first year
credits Term Val. Area Scientific sector
07679 - OTHER LANGUAGE SKILLS 3.0 1 G F
19367 - PROTEOMIC METHODOLOGIES AND BIOINFORMATICS - INTEGRATED COURSE Details VITABILE (PO) 9.0 1 V
PRINCIPLES OF BIOINFORMATICS VITABILE (PO) 3.0 C ING-INF/05
PROTEOMIC METHODOLOGIES FONTANA (PA) 6.0 B BIO/13
19370 - CELL BIOCHEMISTRY AND EPIGENETICS OF METABOLIC PATHOLOGIES Details EMANUELE (PA) 6.0 1 V B BIO/10
19372 - MEDICAL-FORENSIC GENETICS AND MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY - INTEGRATED COURSE Details SEIDITA (RU) 9.0 1 V
MEDICAL AND FORENSIC GENETICS SEIDITA (RU) 6.0 B BIO/13
MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY TRAMUTO (PA) 3.0 C MED/42
13118 - MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY AND NEUROLOGY - INTEGRATED COURSE Details ARIDON (PA) 9.0 2 V
GENETICS OF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES ARIDON (PA) 3.0 C MED/26
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY DI LIBERTO (PA) 6.0 B BIO/09
14687 - MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY Details MERAVIGLIA (PA) 6.0 2 V B MED/04
19369 - DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC BIOTECHNOLOGIES IN MEDICAL ONCOLOGY Details RUSSO (PO) 6.0 2 V B MED/06
19390 - THEORY AND APPLICATIONS OF CELL MODELS Details ALESSANDRO (PO) 6.0 2 V B BIO/13
Teachings second year
credits Term Val. Area Scientific sector
11587 - CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY AND CLINICAL MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Details LO SASSO (RD) 6.0 1 V B BIO/12
13120 - BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS IN MEDICINE - INTEGRATED COURSE Details SCHILLACI (RU) 9.0 1 V
PHYSIOPATHOLOGICAL BASES OF HUMAN PATHOLOGIES AND CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF BIOTECHNOLOGIES CEFALU' (PO) 6.0 B MED/09
HUMAN REPRODUCTION BIOTECHNOLOGIES SCHILLACI (RU) 3.0 C MED/40
16157 - CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY Details FERRARO (PA) 6.0 1 V B MED/07
17641 - TISSUE BIOTECHNOLOGIES AND BIOMEDICAL NANOTECHNOLOGIES - INTEGRATED COURSE Details LO MONTE (PA) 9.0 1 V
BIOTECHNOLOGIES IN THE SUBSTITUTION OF ORGANS AND TISSUES LO MONTE (PA) 6.0 B MED/18
NANOTECHNOLOGIES IN BIOMEDICINE DISPENZA (PO) 3.0 C CHIM/07
05917 - FINAL EXAMINATION 12.0 2 G E
13121 - PRACTICE 15.0 Yearly G F
ADO Group of subjects 9.0 D
Explaination
Term Term/Semester
Val. Valutation: V = mark in 30/30, G = note
(*) Teaching attended in english
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