D1: Knowledge and understanding skills: At the end of the course, the student must demonstrate basic knowledge of nucleic acids and proteins and the fundamental techniques to study them. The student must show knowledge of the scientific terms and the names of the key biomolecules treated during the lessons.

D2: Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: The student will be able to use the knowledge acquired for a practical application in analysis, diagnosis and research laboratories.
D3: Autonomy of judgment: at the end of the course the student must be able to integrate different teaching topics into a global vision of molecular processes. This knowledge is important for linking biological-molecular mechanisms with other fields of biological research.
D4: Communicative skills: at the end of the course the student must have the ability to summarize the content of a topic covered during the lessons, identifying the points and the key components of the aforementioned topic.
D5: Learning skills: Based on the knowledge obtained during the course, the student must be able to learn more complex subjects in the field of molecular biology autonomously.

Basic knowledge in: organic and biological chemistry.

1. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells – cell organization (membranes, genetic material, organelles, nucleus, cell energy storage. Cell division. Cell biology techniques. Microscopy.
2. Proteins. Protein structure and properties: aminoacids, primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure. Protein classification. Enzyme kinetics and its regulation.
Methods for protein characterization: electrophoresis, chromatography, mass spectrometry, spectroscopic techniques – UV, IR, SPR, CD.
3. Cellular genetics. Genes and genome. Localization and DNA packing. DNA and chromosome structure. Nucleic acids as genetic material. The central dogma of molecular biology. DNA replication. Transcription (RNA). Transduction (tRNA).
Methods for DNA characterization. Recombinant DNA techniques; cloning vectors for gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; techniques for studying genes and genomes; genetic manipulation of microorganisms. PCR.
4. From gene to recombinant protein: design and preparation of a recombinant expression system.
5. From medical biotechnologies to industrials: applications in the biotech world.
Role of biomedical engineers in the hospital: interdisciplinarity.
6. Laboratory exercises: purification of plasmid DNA by affinity chromatography; quantification of purified plasmid DNA by spectrophotometric analysis; protein separation by SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis.

Applied Cell and Molecular Biology for Engineers by Gabi Nindl Waite and Lee R. Waite (The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.)
Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology by Keith Wilson and John Walker (Cambridge University Press)

1. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells – cell organization (membranes, genetic material, organelles, nucleus, cell energy storage. Cell division. Cell biology techniques. Microscopy.
2. Proteins. Protein structure and properties: aminoacids, primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure. Protein classification. Enzyme kinetics and its regulation.
Methods for protein characterization: electrophoresis, chromatography, mass spectrometry, spectroscopic techniques – UV, IR, SPR, CD.
3. Cellular genetics. Genes and genome. Localization and DNA packing. DNA and chromosome structure. Nucleic acids as genetic material. The central dogma of molecular biology. DNA replication. Transcription (RNA). Transduction (tRNA).
Methods for DNA characterization. Recombinant DNA techniques; cloning vectors for gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; techniques for studying genes and genomes; genetic manipulation of microorganisms. PCR.
4. From gene to recombinant protein: design and preparation of a recombinant expression system.
5. From medical biotechnologies to industrials: applications in the biotech world.
Role of biomedical engineers in the hospital: interdisciplinarity.
6. Laboratory exercises: purification of plasmid DNA by affinity chromatography; quantification of purified plasmid DNA by spectrophotometric analysis; protein separation by SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis.

Class lessons.

All didactic material upon which the course is based (slides. book chapters,...) will be freely distributed to the students via Moodle

In-course multiple-choice written tests with possible integrative oral discussion.
In case a student is unable to attend the in-course tests, a general written tests could be performed.

This course explores topics closely related to one or more goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs)