Learning objectives
To provide fundamental knowledge on the production of transgenic eukaryotic organisms.
To lead to understanding of the strategies used for producing transgenic organisms according to their applications.
To lead to understanding how research on transgenic organisms can provide increased knowledge.
Prerequisites
none
Course unit content
Introduction - basics of the main techniques in biotechnology
How to produce transgenic organisms: bacteria, fungi, plants, animals
Examples of the use of transgenic organisms in research (International literature)
Main applications of transgenci organisms (International literature)
-Agriculture
-Medicine
-Environmental problems
Ethical, legal, social, environmental issues
Full programme
Introduction - Basic information about biotechnological methodologies
How transgenic organisms are produced
Examples of application of transgenic organisms in research (international literature)
Main applications of transgenic organisms (International literature)
-Agriculture
-Medicine
-Environmental problems
Information about ethical, legal, social and environmental issues
Bibliography
Material provided by the lecturer, available in "Materiale Didattico"
Teaching methods
The course is organised with frontal lectures in which slides are shown. The material derives fromt the recent international literature; during lectures extracts from original papers are read and discussed.
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam requires submission of an original essay concerning one application of transgenic organisms, with the topic chosen by the student. The essay is prepared according to instructions published on the website (format, length, etc.). It must be an essay concerning a research paper from the scientific literature, including a personal comment about the ethical, social, legal implicaztions of GMOs.
Verification of abilities (Dublin descriptors):
-knowledge is included in the essay, snce the students describes the methods
-application of knowledge is included in the essay, since the student rads and comments on a paper
-communication skills are verified by the quality of the essay and compliance with requisites
-making judgements is verified in the choice of the topic and in the personal comments
The basal knowledge required to pass the exam concerns: correct description of the transgenic organism, provide a personal opinion about the ethical-legal-social-environmental issues, with no plagiarism from other sources.
Other information
- - -
