Ateneo - UPO

The course illustrates methods of modern fluorescent microscopy and luminescent biosensors for detection of biological activity in the cell and for drug discovery.

Original lectures’ material and selected articles published in referenced journals.

The objectives are to provide knowledge about 1) cellular ionic and second messenger signalling; 2) basic chemistry and biotechnology of fluorescent and luminescent proteins; 3) methods of modern microscopic and fluorescence/luminescence-based high throughput techniques; 4) design and applications of fluorescence/luminescence-based drug discovery platforms.

Biology, General Physiology and Biochemistry

Lectures in classroom and laboratory practice

Learning will be verified through written and oral exams and as a result of laboratory practice.

Cellular ionic and second messenger signalling. Basic chemistry and biotechnology of fluorescent and luminescent proteins: GFP and derivatives, dsRed and derivatives, luciferase and aequorin. Basics of fluorescent microscopy: fluorophores for visible spectrum; synthesis and genetically encoded fluorescent molecules. Principles of optical microscopy: epifluorescent, confocal and multiphoton microscopy. Fluorescence/luminescence-based high throughput techniques and devices. Principles and design of fluorescence/luminescence-based drug discovery platforms.

At the end of the course, the student will acquire theoretical and practical knowledge of principles and methods for signalling-based drug discovery pipelines.