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Academic year 2022/2023
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 methods to access 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: Researcher in basic and translational research in the clinical field. Functions: The skills acquired by graduates outline a professional profile with an educational level enabling him/her to an effective inclusion in: i) basic and clinical research activities, ii) supporting doctors in the monitoring of clinical studies, invarious phases and therapeutic fields, iii) scientific communication. Skills: Advanced theoretical-practical knowledge of cell and molecular biology; Technical procedural skills, acquired through the intense practice and laboratory activity 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 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; theoretical-practical skills in the field of clinical diagnostics; medical genetic skills in the diagnosis of genetic diseases and in the definition of genetical profiles; forensic genetic competence. 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. Scientific research and technological development skills in the pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnological industry. Scientific dissemination communication in the pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnological industry. Graduates who have acquired sufficient credits in appropriate groups of sectors, as required by current legislation, will be able to participate in competitive procedures for access to teaching in accordance with the regulations in force. Clinical monitoring or research associated with public or private healthcare companies.
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 Details 3.0 1 G F
19367 - PROTEOMIC METHODOLOGIES AND BIOINFORMATICS - INTEGRATED COURSE Details FONTANA (PA) 9.0 1 V
PRINCIPLES OF BIOINFORMATICS ARANCIO (PC) 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 TRAMUTO (PA) 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 BAZAN (PA) 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 CEFALU' (PO) 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 Details 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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