Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente - Guida degli insegnamenti (Syllabus)

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REPRODUCTIVE BIOTECHNOLOGIES
OLIANA CARNEVALI

Seat Scienze
A.A. 2016/2017
Credits 6
Hours 48
Period 1^ semestre
Language ENG
U-gov code SM04 W000678

Prerequisites

Basic Knowledge of Developmental Biology, Genetic, Cell biology, Molecular Biology.



Development of the course

Lectures (5 credits, 40 hours) and practical laboratory work with small groups of students are planned (1 credit, 8 hours). Lectures and practical activities are supported in e-learning mode that contains teaching materials, instructions for laboratory practice, reservation for laboratory exercises.



Learning outcomes

Knowledge:
The course aims at providing a complete and updated overview on the basic knowledge and application of the most recent reproductive biotechnologies. The student will acquire in-depth knowledge on the topic of neuro-endocrine and molecular mechanisms that regulate the differentiation and maturation of gametes, as well as the functional alterations of the hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal axis underlying infertility. 
The course would also increase the knowledge of the molecular and cellular basis of the quality of gametes, the technical information on medically assisted procreation methods and notes on pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. The contents presented during the lectures will be tested in the laboratory practices during which the students can test the knowledge acquired in class following an interdisciplinary approach. 

Ability to apply the knowledge:
The contents presented in the class will be tested in a series of practical laboratory in which students will test the acquired knowledge regarding gamete quality 

Soft skills:
The execution of laboratory observations of the student contributes to: improve the overall vision of the process, sharpen communication skills that comes from teamwork, and enhance learning ability in autonomy and to improve the ability to draw conclusions.



Program

Content (lectures, 5 CFU, 40 hours):
Introduction to the biotechnology of reproduction: history and concepts
Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis
Physiological alterations and pathogenesis of the reproductive axis 
Folliculogenesis and regulation of oocyte maturation, markers for the assessment of ovarian reserve.
Sperm quality assessment
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART): preparation of gametes, intrauterine insemination (UII), in vitro fertilization (FIVET) and Intracytoplasmatic Sperm Injection (ICSI) and embryo transfer.
Preimplantation diagnosis methods
Cryopreservation of gametes and embryos



Development of the examination

Methods for assessing learning outcomes:
Oral examination
The final grade is given asking at least three questions of the above program.

Criteria for assessing learning outcomes:
In the oral exam, the student must demonstrate knowledge regarding the basis of the endocrine control of reproduction, and the molecular mechanisms at the basis of the quality of gametes and embryos. In the exam, students must demonstrate the acquirement of specialized knowledge on the general aspects of male and female infertility and of assisted reproductive technologies 

Criteria for measuring learning outcomes:
The final mark is awarded out of thirty. The exam is passed when the grade is greater than or equal to 18. It is expected to be awarded the highest marks with honors (30 cum laude).

Criteria for conferring final mark:
The rating is made up of the sum of the score reported in the individual questions that will take into account the understanding of the subjects (40%), the ability to link the different processes that occur during reproduction (40%) and the appropriateness of the technical language (20%). Praise is attributed when the score exceeds the value 30, and at the same time, the student has demonstrated full mastery of the subject.



Recommended reading

Reading articles from the following journals: Nature; Nature Genetics; Nature Reviews Genetics; Nature Reviews Nature Medicine; Nature Biotechnology; Science; Cell; Biology of Reproduction, Human reproduction, Stem Cells, Cell Stem Cell, PLOS Genetics
Slides of the lectures available on the Moodle platform



Courses
  • Biologia molecolare e applicata




Università Politecnica delle Marche
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Tel (+39) 071.220.1, Fax (+39) 071.220.2324
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