Learning objectives
By the end of this course students will reach an understanding of:
- how different experimental systems can be used to model key aspects of a human disease
- how various types of animal models such as Drosophila, mouse, rat and non-human primates have contributed to our growing understanding of the mechanisms of human physiology and diseases such as diseases of the nervous system, cancer and metabolic diseases.
- how applications of these models can be used for addressing mechanistic questions and testing potential therapeutic options.
- how important is for research to ensure the highest standard of animal welfare.
By the end of the course, students will be able to critically evaluate the advantages and the limitations of these experimental models and will acquire the knowledge and ability they will need to identify problems, and find practical and creative solutions, as well as to apply them in a research or professional context in animal models.
Students will improve the ability to readily access scientific and technical literature databases using electronic searches; the ability to fully understand and criticize scientific and technical
literature in the student`s area of specialization.
Other specific objectives will be to ensure students acquire abilities and knowledge in laboratory animal
science that enable them to perform procedures and protocols in agreement with national and European laws and develop their ability to present scientific work in a clear and concise manner
basic knowledge of general biology, genetics, physiology, pathology.
During classroom lectures I will illustrate and discuss relevant animal models in biomedical, veterinary and pharmacological research, the biological and ethical principles to design, perform and program scientific procedures using laboratory animals, limits of experimental models. The lectures will be in an interactive format and students are strongly encouraged to ask questions and insert comments. Scientific papers will be given to read and discuss in class to verify understanding of experimental hypothesis, methodological techniques and data interpretation. Seminars on specific topics will be presented in class. students in a will perform practical work load in an animal research laboratory under the supervision
of a tutor.
Prerequisites
basic knowledge of general biology, genetics, physiology, pathology.
Course unit content
1. Introduction to animal models. The Theory of Evolution, Classification and Phylogeny, the scientific method. Planning and evaluation of scientific questions.
2. Animal species employed in biomedical research. A survey of the main animal models: C. elegans; D. melanogaster; Aplysia; zebrafish, chicks, rodents, primates. Characteristics of models and translational data.
3. Laboratory species: anatomy, physiology, ethology. European Directive on animals used in scientific research and the three Rs. Animal Welfare. Outbred, Inbred and genetically modified strains .
4. “Case studies”: Analysis of specific animal models of functions and pathology (sexual differentiation, neuropsychiatric disorders; stress, aging and health; methabolic diseases; cognitive neuroscience)
5. Laboratory Training. Techniques of maintainance, breeding and handling of mice colonies. Animal welfare and environmental enrichment.
Full programme
1. Introduction to animal models. The Theory of Evolution, Classification and Phylogeny, the scientific method. Planning and evaluation of scientific questions.
2. Animal species employed in biomedical research. A survey of the main animal models: C. elegans; D. melanogaster; Aplysia; zebrafish, chicks, rodents, primates. Characteristics of models and translational data.
3. Laboratory species: anatomy, physiology, ethology. European Directive on animals used in scientific research and the three Rs. Animal Welfare. Outbred, Inbred and genetically modified strains .
4. “Case studies”: Analysis of specific animal models of functions and pathology (sexual differentiation, neuropsychiatric disorders; methabolic diseases; cognitive neuroscience)
5. Laboratory Training. Techniques of maintainance, breeding and handling of mice colonies. Animal welfare and environmental enrichment.
Bibliography
Support MATERIALS are on the course website (campusnet) and on the following webisites:
http://www.jove.com/science-education-database/3/model-organisms-i
( filmati metodologici e pdf su C. elegans e Drosophila)
http://www.jove.com/science-education-database/7/essentials-of-behavior
- an-introduction-to-modeling-behavioral-disorders-and-stress
- modelling social stress
- anxiety testing
- an-introduction-to-reward-and-addiction
(filmati metodologici e pdf sui modelli animali di disordini del comportamento)
NB:a vailable ONLy from University IP
http://www.animalresearch.info/it
http://www.nih.gov/science/models/
Teaching methods
During classroom lectures I will illustrate and discuss relevant animal models in biomedical, veterinary and pharmacological research, the biological and ethical principles to design, perform and program scientific procedures using laboratory animals, limits of experimental models. The lectures will be in an interactive format and students are strongly encouraged to ask questions and insert comments. Scientific papers will be given to read and discuss in class to verify understanding of experimental hypothesis, methodological techniques and data interpretation. Seminars on specific topics will be presented in class. students in a will perform practical work load in an animal research laboratory under the supervision
of a tutor.
Assessment methods and criteria
Attendance to laboratory, seminars and debates is mandatory.
Students who attend to a minimum of 70% of lectures will be evaluated on the following basis:
- a power point presentation and class discussion of an assigned scientific paper. Understanding of the research issues, methods, perspectives and implications of the findings, as well as clarity, synthesis and use of scientific language will be evaluated. (30% of final grade).
- active participation, reading and discussion of papers, comments during class and practice - 20% of final grade
- a written essay (5 questions) – 50% of final grade
Students who attend less than 70% of classes or fail in class evaluations will undergo a final comprehensive exam:
- a written essay comprising 20 multiple choice questions and 10 open questions.
- an oral exam based on the written test, a discussion of an assigned article and a question on laboratory practice.
Other information
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