The Second-Cycle Degree Programme in Animal Biotechnology aims to train professional figures capable of carrying out and coordinating basic or applied study and research projects in compliance with national and international regulations. The programme aims to offer specific cultural competences but, at the same time, to provide technical and interpretative tools useful in a wide range of laboratory activities ranging from laboratory diagnostics to complex research activities in all biological-biotechnological fields.
The programme is divided into four thematic areas: Diagnostics, Animal Models, Reproduction, Quality and Food Safety. The degree programme consists of core and related, or supplementary, theoretical or theoretical-practical subjects,which, developing over the two years of the programme, aim to achieve the learning outcomes indicated below:
- DIAGNOSTIC AREA: application and study of basic molecular and analytical techniques to identify specific diseases; methods for the control of infectious diseases; bio-informatic techniques for the analysis of nucleotide and/or aminoacid sequences useful in the study of the evolution and phylogeny of infectious agents. The stated learning outcomes are achieved in the context of several core course units, which aim to develop topics in molecular and experimental biology, applied to the biotechnology laboratory, general pathology, pathological anatomy and oncogenesis from the first year of the programme. In the second year, biomolecular methods relating to communicable diseases and advanced genomics are explored.
- ANIMAL MODELS AREA: application and study of animal models of spontaneous orinduced diseases; biomolecular methods on animal tissues and derivatives; reproductive strategies based on biotechnological approaches; protocols aimedat meeting regulatory requirements in the field of pharmacological authorisation. The stated learning outcomes are achieved in the context ofvarious core course units, which aim to develop topics in the fields of physiology, molecular and experimental biology, reproductive biotechnology, regenerative medicine, general pathology and pathological anatomy as well as the legislationon the use of animal models for experimentation from the first year of the programme. In the second year, pharmacology and gene therapy, pathology and pathological anatomy of laboratory animals are explored.
- REPRODUCTION AREA: application and study of in-vitro embryo production methods; gamete and embryo preservation methods; cloning methods and creationof transgenic animals. The stated learning outcomes are achieved in the context of several core course units, which from the first year onwards aim to developtopics relating to the physiology and endocrinology of the reproductive system, biotechnology applied to reproduction, including the production of transgenic animals and cloning, stem cells, and molecular and experimental biology. In the second year, advanced genomics topics are covered in depth.
- FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY AREA: application and study of methods of analytical and quality control of food for humans and animals; methods of developing innovative functional foods; methods of genomic and proteomic evaluation of the intake of traditional and functional foods. The stated learning outcomes are achieved in the context of several core course units, which aim to develop topics in molecular and experimental biology, the physiology and endocrinology of nutrition, and the biochemistry of food and nutrition from the first year of the programme. In the second year, topics related to biotechnology of nutrition, traditional and functional foods, and food safety are explored.
The learning outcomes are achieved by means of lectures, seminars, group work, educational visits, practical and laboratory work. Practical activities can becarried out in research and diagnostic laboratories run by the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences or in affiliated companies, both in Italy and abroad.