For the APPLIED BIOINFORMATICS module: Review of basic concepts on the structure, organization and functioning of the human genome. The genomes of plants and rice in particular. Bacterial genomes and introduction to metagenomics. The Ensembl database, description and operation. Structure of a human gene in Ensembl, sequence information retrieval, protein structure, functional and clinical annotations. Ensembl Plants and the case of the rice genome. Ensembl bacteria. The UCSC browser genome, description and operation. UCSC structure and annotation of a human gene, retrieval of functional and expression information. The problem of sequence alignments. Local and global alignments. Alignments of nucleotide sequences and amino acids. Scoring matrices. Sequence alignment and evolution. The BLAST program. Introduction to NGS Sequencing. Illumina sequencing methodology. Introduction to RNA-seq methodology. Design of an RNA-seq experiment and related bioinformatics data analysis. Introduction to shotgun metagenomics. Introduction to NGS shotgun sequencing. Design of a shotgun metagenomics experiment and related data analysis pipeline. Basic elements of the Python programming language and of the R statistical language. Examples of research articles available on Pubmed discussing topics related to arguments faced during the course. For the GENOMICS module: Human Genome Project: the main stages of the project and the methodology Structure and Evolution of the Human Genome. Chromatin and chromosome structure. Transposable elements in the genome. Transposons function during evolution. Repeated sequences in the genome. Function of Copy Number Variations. Genome analysis. Methods of studying monogenic and multifactorial diseases. Analysis of genomic rearrangements by CGH array. New Generation Sequencing Techniques (NGS). Genome sequencing. Exome sequencing. Sequencing of the transcriptome. Genomic imprintig. Methods for studying epigenetic variations in the Human genome. Analysis of genomic methylation. Epigenetics and nutrition. Uses of genomic databases. Uses of databases for variant interpretation. For the HUMAN AND MEDICAL GENETICS module: -Genetics of monogenic diseases. Examples of monogenic disesases and traits with food interaction: Familial Hypercolesterolemia, phenylketonuria, galactosemia, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency -Common monogenic traits with food interaction: lactose intollerance, bitter taste. -Genetic tests for monogenic diseases. -Examples of therapy driven by genetic knowledge in monogenic diseases -Genetics of multifactorial diseases -Methods to identify genes associated with multifactorial diseases -Examples of multifactorial diseases with food interaction: Celiac disease, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, food allergy -Interaction with environment and food: methods and examples, genetic and epigenetic signature -The influence of genetic traits in diet, predictive genetic tests and diet

Review of basic concepts on the structure, organization and functioning of the human genome. The genomes of plants and rice in particular. Bacterial genomes and introduction to metagenomics. The Ensembl database, description and operation. Structure of a human gene in Ensembl, sequence information retrieval, protein structure, functional and clinical annotations. Ensembl Plants and the case of the rice genome. Ensembl bacteria. The UCSC browser genome, description and operation. UCSC structure and annotation of a human gene, retrieval of functional and expression information. The problem of sequence alignments. Local and global alignments. Alignments of nucleotide sequences and amino acids. Scoring matrices. Sequence alignment and evolution. The BLAST program. Introduction to NGS Sequencing. Illumina sequencing methodology. Introduction to RNA-seq methodology. Design of an RNA-seq experiment and related bioinformatics data analysis. Introduction to shotgun metagenomics. Introduction to NGS shotgun sequencing. Design of a shotgun metagenomics experiment and related data analysis pipeline. Basic elements of the Python programming language and of the R statistical language. Examples of research articles available on Pubmed discussing topics related to arguments faced during the course.

Human Genome Project: the main stages of the project and the methodology Structure and Evolution of the Human Genome. Chromatin and chromosome structure. Transposable elements in the genome. Transposons function during evolution. Repeated sequences in the genome. Function of Copy Number Variations. Genome analysis. Methods of studying monogenic and multifactorial diseases. Analysis of genomic rearrangements by CGH array. New Generation Sequencing Techniques (NGS). Genome sequencing. Exome sequencing. Sequencing of the transcriptome. Genomic imprintig. Methods for studying epigenetic variations in the Human genome. Analysis of genomic methylation. Epigenetics and nutrition. Uses of genomic databases. Uses of databases for variant interpretation.

-Genetics of monogenic diseases. Examples of monogenic disesases and traits with food interaction: Familial Hypercolesterolemia phenylketonuria, galactosemia,, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency -Common monogenic traits with food interaction: lactose intollerance, bitter taste. -Genetic tests for monogenic diseases . -Examples of therapy driven by genetic knowledge in monogenic diseases -Genetics of multifactorial diseases -Methods to identify genes associated with multifactorial diseases -Examples of multifactorial diseases with food interaction: Celiac disease, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, food allergy -Interaction with environment and food: methods and examples, genetic and epigenetic signature -The influence of genetic traits in diet, predictive genetic tests and diet

The full programs are shown in the individual course descriptions.

History and meaning of food biotechnology. Molecules/macromolecules of biotechnological interest. Features of microorganisms (prokaryotes and eukaryotes), characteristics. Transcription, translation, gene expression and regulation (basic). Cell as "molecular factory." Food fermentations: alcoholic, homo- and hetero-lactic malo-lactic, propionic, acetic, butyric, and isobutyric, citric fermentation. Virtuous and starter microorganisms in food productions. Fungi of food interest (filamentous fungi, yeasts, edible mushrooms). The lactic acid bacteria. Bifidobacteria. Prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics. Bioactive peptides of milk; prebiotic oligosaccharides. Industrial production of starters cultures and probiotic microorganisms. Bacteriocins: features and classification. Cyanobacteria and microalgae, biomass and pigments production. Fermented foods: microbiological, biochemical, biotechnological and fermentation features (milk/dairy products, alcoholics, fermented vegetables; leavened bakery products, cocoa, coffee and tea, sausages, other fermented foods). Industrial microbiology: classification of fermentations (continuous, discontinuous). Bio-reactors. Fermentation parameters. Kinetics, yields of fermentation. Immobilized enzymes/cells. Application of immobilized systems. Operations Units for recovery, separation and purification of fermented products (downstream processing). Biomass, Single Cell Protein (SCP). Red yeast rice, Pruteen, Quorn. Primary and secondary metabolites obtained by fermentation: alcohols, amino acids, organic acids, neutral polysaccharides, other bioproducts. Production of sweeteners. Examples of bio-conversion and bio-remediation in food. Flavourings. Examples of flavourings from biotechnology: lactones, terpenes, vanillin. Cyclodextrins production. Pigments: carotenoids productions. Enzymes: meaning and production, classification. Enzymes as markers of food processes. Enzyme applications in food technology. Enzymes from extremophiles microorganisms. Food Biotechnology of the second generation: recombinant DNA. GMMO: r-Chym and r-BGH. Plant biotechnology: GMO foods. Food biotechnology in animal area (cloning, salmonids, mammals, other experimental modifications). National and international regulatory framework. Outline on Analytical Biotechnology in food area. Web resources useful in food biotechnology.

Introduction to food technology, fundamentals of fluid flow, heat and energy transfer. Unit operations of food industry; effects of unit operation on physical, chemical and biological characteristics of raw materials, impact of unit operation on food-stuff quality. The technology of breadmaking, flour, yeast, mixing, fermentation, baking, bread products. The technology of olive oil, harvesting and extraction, olive oil quality, olive oil products. The technology of wine making, grape wine, must, vinification process for white and red wines, storage and wine products. The technology of milk products, sanitization process, special type of milks, fermented milk products. Finally, during the course fundamentals of sensory analysis will be also covered in order to better define the sensory attributes of selected foods as related to their quality.

Food chemistry role in food composition definition. Food, ingredients, processed foods: definitions under the regulatory field (European and National level). Food categories; classification of foods. Food nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, mineral salts: a chemical view. Other compounds of physiological/nutritional interest: polyphenols. Principal reactions of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and polyphenols. Basic knowledge on nutrients and their occurrence in foods: what, where, why. Basic knowledge on food composition (chemical and biochemical profile): plant-derived food; juices, fruit jelly and confitures; cereals and derived products; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; fats and oils; milk and derived products; meat, fish and derived products; honey; water. Novel sustainable sources of foods: aquaculture, plant-derived sources, microalgae, fungi, insects. Biochemical processes in foods; food spoilage. Food preservation and shelf life. Food industry and processing: impact of processing on foods. Maillard’s Reactions; lipid oxidation. Food labelling, novel foods, food supplements and botanicals: regulatory field and product examples. Nutraceutical approach in nutrition. Processing aids; food additives, food enzymes (other than those used as food additives), flavorings and certain food ingredients with flavoring properties: chemical aspects, use and regulatory facts. Adverse reactions in foods: food allergies and intolerances. Food allergens, labelling and risks. Coeliac disease and modern nutrition. Risk assessment and risk exposure. Anti-nutrients; food contaminants and residues: definitions. Examples of natural occurring, technological-derived and environmental contaminants; examples of residues in foods. Endocrine disruptors. Overall and critical discussion about foods, food composition, nutrition and toxicological exposure/risk.

- Descriptive statistics - Basis of probability - Introduction to statistical inference - Chi-square test T-test for independent and paired samples - Study designs (controlled and randomized clinical trials, cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies) - Disease frequency and association measures - Data collection and definition of exposure in nutritional epidemiology studies (food, food groups, nutrients, a priori diet, a posteriori diet) - The origins of the research on health and causes of disease - Main objectives of scientific research - Natural course of disease - Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention - Universal, selective and indicated prevention - Health promotion - Concepts of determinants of health and risk factor - Measures of association - Concept and measure of impact of a prevention intervention - The Global Burden of Disease project - The complexity of primary prevention: prevention paradigm and theories on determinants of human behaviours - Examples of iatrogenic effect in prevention - Role and need of Evidence of effectiveness - Sources of evidence: Medline and the Cochrane Collaboration - Role of coverage in impact of prevention - The pathway from evidence to practice - Systematic reviews and metanalysis - Guidelines of public health interventions - Choices that promote health and save the planet -- impact of diet on human health - hypertension and DASH diet - fatty liver disease - cirrhosis - chronic kidney disease - unintentional weight loss - chronic abdominal pain (IBD vs IBD and low FODMAP diet) - celiac disease - VLCKD - General notions on the organization of the endocrine system and in relation to external factors including the effect of polluting agents, infective organisms, social factors, and working shifts - The hypothalamic-pituitary system and diseases - tumorigenesis relating to environmental factors - the role of stress on epigenetic mechanisms - environmental endocrine disruptors and pituitary tumors - the effect of pituitary diseases on metabolism - Thyroid physiology, impact of iodine and nutraceuticals on thyroid function, thyroid dysfunctions and tumors, molecular mechanisms. - Adrenal hormones, hyper- and hypo-corticosurrenalism - Diabetes and its relation to the environment - pathophysiology of adipose tissue - brain control of feeding behavior - genetic and non genetic determinants of obesity - the metabolic syndrome - endocrine disruptors acting on metabolic homeostasis (obesogens).

• General notions on the organization of the endocrine system and in relation to external factors including the effect of polluting agents, infective organisms, social factors, and working shifts • The hypothalamic-pituitary system and diseases, tumorigenesis relating to environmental factors, the role of stress on epigenetic mechanisms, environmental endocrine disruptors and pituitary tumors, the effect of pituitary diseases on metabolism. • Thyroid physiology, impact of iodine and nutraceuticals on thyroid function, thyroid dysfunctions and tumors, molecular mechanisms. • Adrenal hormones, hyper- and hypo-corticosurrenalism • Diabetes and its relation to the environment, pathophysiology of adipose tissue, brain control of feeding behavior, genetic and non genetic determinants of obesity, the metabolic syndrome, endocrine disruptors acting on metabolic homeostasis (obesogens).

Descriptive statistics Basis of probability Introduction to statistical inference Chi-square test T-test for independent and paired samples Study designs (controlled and randomized clinical trials, cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies) Disease frequency and association measures Data collection and definition of exposure in nutritional epidemiology studies (food, food groups, nutrients, a priori diet, a posteriori diet)

- impact of diet on human health - hypertension and DASH diet - fatty liver disease - cirrhosis - chronic kidney disease - unintentional weight loss - chronic abdominal pain (IBD vs IBD and low FODMAP diet) - celiac disease - VLCKD

- The origins of the research on health and causes of disease - Main objectives of scientific research - Natural course of disease - Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention - Universal, selective and indicated prevention - Health promotion - Concepts of determinants of health and risk factor - Measures of association - Concept and measure of impact of a prevention intervention - The Global Burden of Disease project - The complexity of primary prevention: prevention paradigm and theories on determinants of human behaviours - Examples of iatrogenic effect in prevention - Role and need of Evidence of effectiveness - Sources of evidence: Medline and the Cochrane Collaboration - Role of coverage in impact of prevention - The pathway from evidence to practice - Systematic reviews and metanalysis - Guidelines of public health interventions - Choices that promote health and save the planet

GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY The course will be divided into three main thematic areas: 1- the microbial communities associated with agricultural soils; 2- the microbial communities associated with the production of typical Italian foods; 3- the microbial communities associated with humans in physiological and pathological conditions. In particular, during part 1 we will address: Plant species and soil type cooperatively shape the structure and function of microbial communities in the rhizosphere; Characterization of metaproteomics in crop rhizospheric soil; soil bacterial community response to differences in agricultural management along with seasonal changes in a Mediterranean region; the rhizosphere microbiome. Significance of plant beneficial, plant pathogenic and human pathogenic microorganisms; community proteogenomics reveals the systemic impact of phosphorus availability on microbial functions in tropical soil; Vitis vinifera phizosphere: characterization of microbial community associated using metagenomic and metaproteomic approaches; a bacterial-fungal metaproteomic analysis enlightens an intriguing multicomponent interaction in the rhizosphere of Lactuca sativa; antibiotic resistomes in plant microbiomes. During part 2 we will address: Traditional cheeses: Rich and diverse microbiota with associated benefits; Pecorino Crotonese cheese: Study of bacterial population and flavour compounds; Surface microbiota analysis of Taleggio, Gorgonzola, Casera, Scimudin and Formaggio di Fossa Italian cheeses; Microbial diversity, dynamics and activity throughout manufacturing and ripening of Castelmagno PDO cheese; Study of microbial diversity in raw milk and fresh curd used for Fontina cheese production by culture-independent methods; Microbiological characterisation of Robiola di Roccaverano cheese using PCR– DGGE; Molecular evaluation of microbial diversity occurring in different types of Mozzarella cheese. During part 3 we will address: intestinal microbiome in health and disease: introduction; composition and function of the gut microbiome; microbiome and early life; molecular microbiome analysis; evolutionary perspectives on the human gut microbiome; microbiome and gut immunity: the epitelium, innate immune cells, T cells, B cells; microbiome and diseases: inflammatory bowel diseases, allergy, graft-versus-host disease, pathogen infection, colorectal cancer, metabolic disorders, hepatic disorders, neurological disorders. Clinical implementation of high-throughput sequencing. Fecal transplantation. The urinary tract microbiome in health and disease. MICROBIOLOGY IN NUTRITION Foodborne and waterborne pathogens responsible for human intoxications: Bacteria: Campylobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia Coli, Shigella, Staphylococcus Aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium Difficile, Bacillus Cereus, Vibrio Cholerae, Vibrio vulnificus, Brucella.. Virus: Hepatitis A virus, Hepatitis E virus, Rotavirus, Enterovirus, Norovirus. Parasites: Anisakis, Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia Lamblia, Taenia. Toxins: Aflatoxins. Prions Food safety guidelines (HACCP) Methods of detection and characterization of foodborne and waterborne infections.

The course will be divided into three main thematic areas: 1- the microbial communities associated with agricultural soils; 2- the microbial communities associated with the production of typical Italian foods; 3- the microbial communities associated with humans in physiological and pathological conditions. In particular, during part 1 we will address: Plant species and soil type cooperatively shape the structure and function of microbial communities in the rhizosphere; Characterization of metaproteomics in crop rhizospheric soil; soil bacterial community response to differences in agricultural management along with seasonal changes in a Mediterranean region; the rhizosphere microbiome. Significance of plant beneficial, plant pathogenic and human pathogenic microorganisms; community proteogenomics reveals the systemic impact of phosphorus availability on microbial functions in tropical soil; Vitis vinifera phizosphere: characterization of microbial community associated using metagenomic and metaproteomic approaches; a bacterial-fungal metaproteomic analysis enlightens an intriguing multicomponent interaction in the rhizosphere of Lactuca sativa; antibiotic resistomes in plant microbiomes. During part 2 we will address: Traditional cheeses: Rich and diverse microbiota with associated benefits; Pecorino Crotonese cheese: Study of bacterial population and flavour compounds; Surface microbiota analysis of Taleggio, Gorgonzola, Casera, Scimudin and Formaggio di Fossa Italian cheeses; Microbial diversity, dynamics and activity throughout manufacturing and ripening of Castelmagno PDO cheese; Study of microbial diversity in raw milk and fresh curd used for Fontina cheese production by culture-independent methods; Microbiological characterisation of Robiola di Roccaverano cheese using PCR– DGGE; Molecular evaluation of microbial diversity occurring in different types of Mozzarella cheese. During part 3 we will address: intestinal microbiome in health and disease: introduction; composition and function of the gut microbiome; microbiome and early life; molecular microbiome analysis; evolutionary perspectives on the human gut microbiome; microbiome and gut immunity: the epitelium, innate immune cells, T cells, B cells; microbiome and diseases: inflammatory bowel diseases, allergy, graft-versus-host disease, pathogen infection, colorectal cancer, metabolic disorders, hepatic disorders, neurological disorders. Clinical implementation of high-throughput sequencing. Fecal transplantation. The urinary tract microbiome in health and disease.

Brief review on human microbioma and microorganisms used for food production. Foodborne and waterborne pathogens responsible for human intoxications: Bacteria: Campylobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia Coli, Shigella, Staphylococcus Aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium Difficile, Bacillus Cereus, Vibrio Cholerae, Vibrio vulnificus, Brucella.. Virus: Hepatitis A virus, Hepatitis E virus, Rotavirus, Enterovirus, Norovirus. Parasites: Anisakis, Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia Lamblia, Taenia. Toxins: Aflatoxins. Prions Food safety guidelines (HACCP) Methods of detection and characterization of foodborne and waterborne infections.

Considering the multidisciplinary nature of the Master of Science, specific programmes of the thesis will differ on the bases of the topics that will represent the subjects of the Final Test.

• Unit 1. What’s Communication? Large and Narrow Perspectives. Types of communication. The cognitive process. How to write a communication plan. • Unit 2. Verbal Communication. Speech acts and texts.Writing processes. Writing for press. • Unit 3. Spoken language and public speaking techniques. Nonverbal communication: an overview • Unit 4. Digital writing: websites, emails and blogs. Social media. Strategies and marketing. • Unit 5. Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and TikTok: content strategies; do’s and dont’s • Unit 6. Branding; an overview.

The course will cover topics relevant to chemical and physical description of chemical species of environmental importance. Particular attention will be given to the introduction of photochemical processes and gas-solid adsorption principles, as well as to the treatment of thermodynamic processes of environmental interest. Knowledge about the chemical constituents and physical structure of the atmosphere will be provided. Moreover, topics related to the chemistry of the stratosphere and the ozone problem, global warming and the chemistry of the troposphere, with particular reference to photochemical smog and particulate matter pollution, will be introduced. Finally, the impact of large plants for the production of energy will be discussed with particular emphasis to processes leading to the formation of harmful pollutants (dioxins) and their inhibition. The spread of pollutants in atmosphere and hydrosphere will be introduced.

Technology Innovation Management Definition of research, invention, and innovation; analysis of the innovation process and its different phases; the market pull and the technology push for product innovation; from academia to a company and the valley of death; the definition of entrepreneurship Project Management Definition of a project and a team; criteria selection of a project, the phases of a project, 12 steps in project management, challenges in managing projects and teams; the project life cycle; basic elements of project management (PM); analysis of factors involved in PM; SMART goals; conflict resolution Importance of the role of the Project Manager in dealing with conflicts and conflict resolution; the concept of stakeholders; project planning and tools; the GANTT chart; the Work Breakdown Structure; examples of PM. Technology (e)Valuation The concept of technology valuation and evaluation. Financing the startup: angels, Corporate Ventures, and Venture Capiitalists The concept of ownership dilution The exit strategy: when and how it is done Valuation models of an invention: The cost based approach, the market method, and the discounted cash flow method. Intellectual Property and its Exploitation Overview on patents and the process to patent an invention, analysis, and discussion on requirements for patentability. Definition of the technology transfer process, analysis of best practice for a successful transfer of a technology, overview of contracts and agreements in the transfer of a technology, review of the patenting process in general and in different geographical areas (PCT, Italy, Europe, USA) The business plan Overview of Business Plan and its different sections; the elevator pitch and the presentation Intro to the concept of Business Plan (BP) Different purposes of a BP Different models of BPs Description and in-depth analysis of the different sections of a business plan, specifically: Executive Summary, Company description Management team Product(s) Market Competition, and Marketing activities The Business Model Canvas and the Lean Startup model Overview of the Business Model Canvas (BMC); analysis of the 9 components of the BMC; examples of BMC; definition of the Lean Start-up and the minimum viable product, the concept of the Lean Startup Overview of the clinical trial process Clinical development and clinical trials, valorization of a molecule via the clinical process

The course is divided into two modules: A) concerning biochemical techniques for the study of the microbiome (metaproteomics) and B) concerning the metagenomic approach (fully practical part). In this module, the metagenomic analysis of an environmental sample (soil) and data processing will be addressed.

1. introduction to the concept of innovation, the introduction of the concept of innovation, fundamental paradigms. Introduction to the models and tools of technology transfer. 2. fundamental on industrial property. The types of IP titles: patent / utility model, trademark, design / models. Intellectual property (copyright) and copyright law. Trade secret. 3. focus on the patent: requirements, characteristics, structure, function, legal aspects. 4. commercial exploitation and business models 5. business creation 6. in-depth study of technology transfer models in large companies, SMEs, innovative companies and in the world of research

Technology Innovation Management Definition of research, invention, and innovation; analysis of the innovation process and its different phases; the market pull and the technology push for product innovation; from academia to a company and the valley of death; the definition of entrepreneurship Project Management Definition of a project and a team; criteria selection of a project, the phases of a project, 12 steps in project management, challenges in managing projects and teams; the project life cycle; basic elements of project management (PM); analysis of factors involved in PM; SMART goals; conflict resolution Importance of the role of the Project Manager in dealing with conflicts and conflict resolution; the concept of stakeholders; project planning and tools; the GANTT chart; the Work Breakdown Structure; examples of PM. Technology (e)Valuation The concept of technology valuation and evaluation. Financing the startup: angels, Corporate Ventures, and Venture Capiitalists The concept of ownership dilution The exit strategy: when and how it is done Valuation models of an invention: The cost based approach, the market method, and the discounted cash flow method. Intellectual Property and its Exploitation Overview on patents and the process to patent an invention, analysis, and discussion on requirements for patentability. Definition of the technology transfer process, analysis of best practice for a successful transfer of a technology, overview of contracts and agreements in the transfer of a technology, review of the patenting process in general and in different geographical areas (PCT, Italy, Europe, USA) The business plan Overview of Business Plan and its different sections; the elevator pitch and the presentation Intro to the concept of Business Plan (BP) Different purposes of a BP Different models of BPs Description and in-depth analysis of the different sections of a business plan, specifically: Executive Summary, Company description Management team Product(s) Market Competition, and Marketing activities The Business Model Canvas and the Lean Startup model Overview of the Business Model Canvas (BMC); analysis of the 9 components of the BMC; examples of BMC; definition of the Lean Start-up and the minimum viable product, the concept of the Lean Startup Overview of the clinical trial process Clinical development and clinical trials, valorization of a molecule via the clinical process

1. introduction to the concept of innovation, the introduction of the concept of innovation, fundamental paradigms. Introduction to the models and tools of technology transfer. 2. fundamental on industrial property. The types of IP titles: patent / utility model, trademark, design / models. Intellectual property (copyright) and copyright law. Trade secret. 3. focus on the patent: requirements, characteristics, structure, function, legal aspects. 4. commercial exploitation and business models 5. business creation 6. in-depth study of technology transfer models in large companies, SMEs, innovative companies and in the world of research

• Unit 1. What’s Communication? Large and Narrow Perspectives. Types of communication. The cognitive process. How to write a communication plan. • Unit 2. Verbal Communication. Speech acts and texts.Writing processes. Writing for press. • Unit 3. Spoken language and public speaking techniques. Nonverbal communication: an overview • Unit 4. Digital writing: websites, emails and blogs. Social media. Strategies and marketing. • Unit 5. Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and TikTok: content strategies; do’s and dont’s • Unit 6. Branding; an overview.

The course is articulated in 3 parts, dealing with the following topics. Clinical part about Eating disorders: overview; food, body shape and their meaning in different socio-cultural contexts; historical perspective; body image; epidemiology; diagnostic criteria; clinical features: symptoms and complications; treatment approaches. Sociological part: I week: Introduction to the module: objectives, structure, issues and concepts II week: Basic concepts and theories on sociology of health and illness III week: New key issues in sociology of health; IV week: The case of eating disorders V week Introduction to social determinants of health VI week Social determinants and health promotion VII week: Focus on obesity: case study and workshop VIII week: Conclusions and final assignments. Anthropological part: The course is organised in three parts: I (3 lessons): introduction to the anthropological approach (themes and research methods) and to the close relationship between food and culture; II (3 lessons) presentation and discussion of three themes concerning the study and understanding of the relationship between food/cooking and culture/society (meanings and practices; representations and identity; global and local) are presented and discussed; II (1 lesson) critical analysis of the One Health and World System approaches, conclusion of the course.

Anthropological part: The course is organised in three parts: I (3 lessons): introduction to the anthropological approach (themes and research methods) and to the close relationship between food and culture; II (3 lessons) presentation and discussion of three themes concerning the study and understanding of the relationship between food/cooking and culture/society (meanings and practices; representations and identity; global and local) are presented and discussed; II (1 lesson) critical analysis of the One Health and World System approaches, conclusion of the course.

Eating disorders: overview; food, body shape and their meaning in different socio-cultural contexts; historical perspective; body image; epidemiology; diagnostic criteria; clinical features: symptoms and complications; treatment approaches.

Week I: Introduction to the course (structure, objectives, main issues and concepts), definition of eating disorders, basic concepts and theories of the sociology of health and illness (1. macro theories); Week II: Basic concepts and theories of the sociology of health and illness (2. micro theories; the multidimensional concept of illness); Week III: The definition of health and social determinants of health; Week IV: Focus on obesity: data useful for framing the phenomenon. Approaching the study of obesity (1): the social construction of the body; Week V: Approaching the study of obesity (2): critical sociology for the study of obesity; Week VI: Approaching the study of obesity (3): the life course approach for the study of obesity, anti-obesity policies and surveillance systems from a comparative perspective -international cases- (1); Week VII: anti-obesity policies and surveillance systems from a comparative perspective -international cases- (2) Week VIII: Conclusions and final assignments.

Pathophysiology: - Pathophysiology of lipid metabolism - The causes and biology of cancer - Water- and fat-soluble vitamins and their deficiencies. - Protein-energy malnutrition. - Fluid and electrolyte balance. - Acid-base balance. - Laboratory activities: cell counting, protein extraction and quantification; DNA isolation. Theory of PCR and quantitative PCR. Immunobiology: - Allergy and hypersensitivity - Tolerance and food allergy (pathogenetic mechanisms) - Diagnostic test of food allergies - Autoimmune diseases: organic and systemic, antibodies and cell-mediated - Examples of autoimmune disease and pathogenetic mechanisms - Etiology of autoimmune disease (environmental factors: infection and nutrition) - Introduction to the intestinal microbiota: composition, diversity, concepts of dysbiosis and eubiosis - Impact of diet and lifestyle on the microbiota - Intestinal microbiota and allergies - The intestine-brain axis and role in autoimmunity - Microbiota revolution (personalized medicine): prebiotics, probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation (TMF)

-Review of the basic concepts of immunology learned during the Bachelor degree (innate and adaptive immunity, cells and organs of immune system, antigen recognition by B-cell and T cells, MHC I and II molecules) - IMMUNOPATHOGENESIS: 1.Allergy and hypersensitivity 2.Food tolerance and food allergy (pathogenetic mechanisms) 3.Diagnostic test of food allergies 4.Autoimmune diseases: organic and systemic, antibody and cell-mediated 5. Examples of autoimmune disease and pathogenetic mechanism 6. Etiology of autoimmune disease (environmental factors: infection and nutrition) 7. Introduction to gut microbiota: composition, diversity, concepts of dysbiosis and eubiosis 8. Impact of diet and life style on microbiota 9. Microbiota and allergy 10. Gut-brain axis and role in autoimmunity 11. Microbiota revolution (personalized medicine): pre -and probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)

1) Pathophysiology of lipid metabolism 2) The causes and biology of cancer 3) Water- and fat-soluble vitamins and their deficiencies. 4) Protein-energy malnutrition. 5) Fluid and electrolyte balance. 6) Acid-base balance.

Toxicology General principle of toxicology Carcinogenesis and mutagenesis Teratogenesis target organ toxicity: immune system, liver, kidney, nervous system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, skin and endocrine system Toxicodynamics and Toxicokinetics special toxicology: toxic effects of pesticides, metals, drugs, terrestrial and aquatic animals, fungi and food toxicology pharmacovigilance Ecology General Introduction * Genomics and biodiversity; * Animal and plant genomics; * Mitochondrial genomics; * Comparative genomics; * Research integrity and publication ethics; Basic knowledge in Ecology * Haeckel's original proposal for ecology * The science of ecology * Ecology as a social movement * Natural ecology * Social ecology * Conservationism * Ecologism * The concept of Ecological systems * Levels of Ecological organization * The role of animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms * Species interactions * Important concepts in ecology: habitat, niche, time, space * Human impact in the environment Adaptations to Water * Water properties * Cohesion-tension theory * The relationship between plants and water * Plant adaptations to drought * The relationship between animals and water * Animal adaptations to freshwater environments * Animal adaptations to marine environments * Communication in whales and dolphins Adaptations to light, energy and heat * Sunlight and their influence on biological organisms * Adaptations to desert environment * Photosynthetic active pigments * C3 Photosynthesis * C4 Photosynthesis * CAM Photosynthesis * Photosynthesis in the water * Temperature and organisms * Regulation of temperature in animals Adaptations to climate, water and soil * Variations in climate * Solar radiation on Earth * Hadley circulation * Coriolis effect * Water cycles * Ocean currents * Upwelling zones * Thermohaline circulation * Seasonal cycles in lakes * Topography and ecology * Soil horizons and types EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY * The history of evolutionary thought * The platonic view * Lamarckian thought * Darwin travel on the HMS Beagle * Darwinian theory * The tree of life * Common descent * Artificial and natural selection * Types of natural selection * Modern evolutionary synthesis * Extended evolutionary synthesis * Inclusive inheritance * Epigenetics * Phenotypic plasticity * Population Genetics * Pseudoscience and evolutionary theory Life Histories * Different life histories of animals * Time of living * Trade-offs in resource allocation * Reproductive success * Age at first reproduction * Parental investment * Senescence * Animal foraging Ecology and diet * Environmental impact of meat- based diet * Health impact of meat-based diet * Environmental impact of Mediterranean diet * Environmental impact of Vegetarian diet * Environmental impact of Vegan diet * Animal farming * Animal ethics * Dairy products and their impact on health Sex and evolution * Sexual selection * Sexual dimorphism * Sexual reproduction * Parthenogenesis * Selfish gene theory * Coevolving with pathogens * Mechanisms of sex determination * Mating systems * Female choice Family, Society and Evolution * Social behavior in animals * Alpha males and females * Territoriality * Collaboration * Game theory and the prisioner's dillema * Parent-offspring conflict * Hymenopteran societies * Superorganisms and colonies Ecology of Populations * The population thought * Density, distribution, age structure and sex ratio * Population dispersal * Growth potential of populations * Carrying capacity * Different patterns of fluctuation in N * Survivorship curves * Population genetics * Inbreeding * Genetic drift * Effective population size Species interactions (Part 1) * Consumer-resource interactions and dynamics * Parasitism and pathogen-host interactions * Herbivores and plant population * Different types of mutualism and symbiosis * Competition and Limiting resources * Predator-prey interactions * Coevolution * Competition concepts * Competition and Limiting resources * Predation regulation * Coevolution * Monophyletic and polyphyletic characters * Adaptation to predation: camouflage and warning coloration * Character displacement * Habitat productivity Communities structures and Ecological Succession * Multiple concepts of Communities * Communities as super-organisms * Ecotones * Community structure * Feeding relationships * Functional webs * Trophic cascade * Ecological succession * Sere concept * Climax communities Communities and Biodiversity (Part 2) * Biodiversity patterns * Island biogeography * History of life in Earth * Geological eras * Continental drift * Vicariance * Zoogeographic regions * Climate change * Adaptive convergences * Ancestral ecology Ecotoxicology * Environmental toxicology * Chemicals in the atmosphere * Chemicals in the lithosphere * Chemicals in the hydrosphere * Chemicals in the biosphere * Movement of chemicals * Bioavailability and biomagnification * Effects on populations, communities and ecosystems * C4 Photosynthesis * CAM Photosynthesis * Photosynthesis in the water * Temperature and organisms * Regulation of temperature in animals Adaptations to climate, water and soil * Variations in climate * Solar radiation on Earth * Hadley circulation * Coriolis effect * Water cycles * Ocean currents * Upwelling zones * Thermohaline circulation * Seasonal cycles in lakes * Topography and ecology * Soil horizons and types EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY * The history of evolutionary thought * The platonic view * Lamarckian thought * Darwin travel on the HMS Beagle * Darwinian theory * The tree of life * Common descent * Artificial and natural selection * Types of natural selection * Modern evolutionary synthesis * Extended evolutionary synthesis * Inclusive inheritance * Epigenetics * Phenotypic plasticity Population Genetics * Pseudoscience and evolutionary theory Life Histories * Different life histories of animals * Time of living * Trade-offs in resource allocation * Reproductive success * Age at first reproduction * Parental investment * Senescence * Animal foraging Ecology and diet * Environmental impact of meat-based diet * Health impact of meat-based diet * Environmental impact of Mediterranean diet * Environmental impact of Vegetarian diet * Environmental impact of Vegan diet * Animal farming * Animal ethics * Dairy products and their impact on health Sex and evolution * Sexual selection * Sexual dimorphism * Sexual reproduction * Parthenogenesis * Selfish gene theory * Coevolving with pathogens * Mechanisms of sex determination * Mating systems * Female choice Family, Society and Evolution * Social behavior in animals Alpha males and females * Territoriality * Collaboration * Game theory and the prisioner's dillema * Parent-offspring conflict * Hymenopteran societies * Superorganisms and colonies Ecology of Populations * The population thought * Density, distribution, age structure and sex ratio * Population dispersal * Growth potential of populations * Carrying capacity * Different patterns of fluctuation in N * Survivorship curves * Population genetics * Inbreeding * Genetic drift * Effective population size Species interactions (Part 1) * Consumer-resource interactions and dynamics * Parasitism and pathogen-host interactions * Herbivores and plant population * Different types of mutualism and symbiosis * Competition and Limiting resources * Predator-prey interactions * Coevolution * Competition concepts * Competition and Limiting resources * Predation regulation * Coevolution * Monophyletic and polyphyletic characters * Adaptation to predation: camouflage and warning coloration

General Introduction * Genomics and biodiversity; * Animal and plant genomics; * Mitochondrial genomics; * Comparative genomics; * Research integrity and publication ethics; Basic knowledge in Ecology * Haeckel's original proposal for ecology * The science of ecology * Ecology as a social movement * Natural ecology * Social ecology * Conservationism * Ecologism * The concept of Ecological systems * Levels of Ecological organization * The role of animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms * Species interactions * Important concepts in ecology: habitat, niche, time, space * Human impact in the environment Adaptations to Water * Water properties * Cohesion-tension theory * The relationship between plants and water * Plant adaptations to drought * The relationship between animals and water * Animal adaptations to freshwater environments * Animal adaptations to marine environments * Communication in whales and dolphins Adaptations to light, energy and heat * Sunlight and their influence on biological organisms * Adaptations to desert environment * Photosynthetic active pigments * C3 Photosynthesis * C4 Photosynthesis * CAM Photosynthesis * Photosynthesis in the water * Temperature and organisms * Regulation of temperature in animals Adaptations to climate, water and soil * Variations in climate * Solar radiation on Earth * Hadley circulation * Coriolis effect * Water cycles * Ocean currents * Upwelling zones * Thermohaline circulation * Seasonal cycles in lakes * Topography and ecology * Soil horizons and types EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY * The history of evolutionary thought * The platonic view * Lamarckian thought * Darwin travel on the HMS Beagle * Darwinian theory * The tree of life * Common descent * Artificial and natural selection * Types of natural selection * Modern evolutionary synthesis * Extended evolutionary synthesis * Inclusive inheritance * Epigenetics * Phenotypic plasticity * Population Genetics * Pseudoscience and evolutionary theory Life Histories * Different life histories of animals * Time of living * Trade-offs in resource allocation * Reproductive success * Age at first reproduction * Parental investment * Senescence * Animal foraging Ecology and diet * Environmental impact of meat-based diet * Health impact of meat-based diet * Environmental impact of Mediterranean diet * Environmental impact of Vegetarian diet * Environmental impact of Vegan diet * Animal farming * Animal ethics * Dairy products and their impact on health Sex and evolution * Sexual selection * Sexual dimorphism * Sexual reproduction * Parthenogenesis * Selfish gene theory * Coevolving with pathogens * Mechanisms of sex determination * Mating systems * Female choice Family, Society and Evolution * Social behavior in animals * Alpha males and females * Territoriality * Collaboration * Game theory and the prisioner's dillema * Parent-offspring conflict * Hymenopteran societies * Superorganisms and colonies Ecology of Populations * The population thought * Density, distribution, age structure and sex ratio * Population dispersal * Growth potential of populations * Carrying capacity * Different patterns of fluctuation in N * Survivorship curves * Population genetics * Inbreeding * Genetic drift * Effective population size Species interactions (Part 1) * Consumer-resource interactions and dynamics * Parasitism and pathogen-host interactions * Herbivores and plant population * Different types of mutualism and symbiosis * Competition and Limiting resources * Predator-prey interactions * Coevolution * Competition concepts * Competition and Limiting resources * Predation regulation * Coevolution * Monophyletic and polyphyletic characters * Adaptation to predation: camouflage and warning coloration * Character displacement * Habitat productivity Communities structures and Ecological Succession * Multiple concepts of Communities * Communities as super-organisms * Ecotones * Community structure * Feeding relationships * Functional webs * Trophic cascade * Ecological succession * Sere concept * Climax communities Communities and Biodiversity (Part 2) * Biodiversity patterns * Island biogeography * History of life in Earth * Geological eras * Continental drift * Vicariance * Zoogeographic regions * Climate change * Adaptive convergences * Ancestral ecology Ecotoxicology * Environmental toxicology * Chemicals in the atmosphere * Chemicals in the lithosphere * Chemicals in the hydrosphere * Chemicals in the biosphere * Movement of chemicals * Bioavailability and biomagnification * Effects on populations, communities and ecosystems

General principle of toxicology Carcinogenesis and mutagenesis Teratogenesis target organ toxicity: immune system, liver, kidney, nervous system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, skin and endocrine system Toxicodynamics and Toxicokinetics special toxicology: toxic effects of pesticides, metals, drugs, terrestrial and aquatic animals, fungi and food toxicology pharmacovigilance

Session 3: [this session can also be moved towards the end of the course] The global level of food law Session 4: Food law: development, crisis and transition Session 5: The General Food Law Session 6: [this session can also be moved to another position in the course] Enforcement and product liability Product requirements I: authorisation Session 8: Product requirements II: Food safety targets Session 9: Process requirements: Traceability & Hygiene Session 10: [this session can be merged with the next] Consumer information I: labelling Article 8 Protection of consumers' interests.

-Company structure - Management processes -Budget analysis - Analysis of different business models (business model canvas) - Purpose of the business plan -Structure of the business plan - Economic and financial evaluation of the business plan through specific indicators

FOOD LAW: Session 1: The briefest of introductions to law The first lecture will be used to introduce the course as a whole and to provide some background in law. Session 2: Introduction to EU law and institutions Session 3: [this session can also be moved towards the end of the course] The global level of food law Session 4: Food law: development, crisis and transition Session 5: The General Food Law Session 6: [this session can also be moved to another position in the course] Enforcement and product liability Product requirements I: authorisation Session 8: Product requirements II: Food safety targets Session 9: Process requirements: Traceability & Hygiene Session 10: [this session can be merged with the next] Consumer information I: labelling Article 8 Protection of consumers' interests. BUSINESS: - Financial statement structure - Strategy definition and business model - Management components - Business plan objectives - Business plan structure.

Carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, peptides, folding. Proteins, enzymes, structure determination. Micronutrients, vitamins and coenzymes. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. Metabolic correlations. Nomenclature Mentions of metabolism and physiology of nutrients Body composition Energy expenditure LARN, food pyramids; Italian guidelines for healthy nutrition; NHS nutrition programs for prevention Dietary day Foodservice for group care Nutrient medical history Obesity and nutrition (physiopathology; Italian guidelines) Metabolic syndrome and nutrition Osteoporosis and nutrition Cancer and nutrition (WRFC; EPIC study) Exercises: plan for food services; a dietary plan for a healthy individual; BIA and indirect calorimetry

Carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, peptides, folding. Proteins, enzymes, structure determination. Micronutrients, vitamins and coenzymes. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Metabolic correlations. Biochemical processes of the gut microbiota.

Nomenclature Mentions of macro and micronutrients; mentions of metabolism and physiology of nutrients Body composition Energy expenditure LARN, food pyramids; Italian guidelines for a healthy nutrition; NHS nutrition programs for prevention Dietary day Food service for group care Nutrient medical history Obesity and nutrition (physiopathology; Italian guidelines) Metabolic syndrome and nutrition Osteoporosis and nutrition Cancer and nutrition (WRFC; EPIC study) Exercises: plan for food services; a dietary plan for a healthy individual; BIA and indirect calorimetry

The course will cover topics relevant to chemical and physical description of chemical species of environmental importance. Particular attention will be given to the introduction of photochemical processes and gas-solid adsorption principles, as well as to the treatment of thermodynamic processes of environmental interest. Knowledge about the chemical constituents and physical structure of the atmosphere will be provided. Moreover, topics related to the chemistry of the stratosphere and the ozone problem, global warming and the chemistry of the troposphere, with particular reference to photochemical smog and particulate matter pollution, will be introduced. Finally, the impact of large plants for the production of energy will be discussed with particular emphasis to processes leading to the formation of harmful pollutants (dioxins) and their inhibition. The spread of pollutants in atmosphere and hydrosphere will be introduced.

The course is divided into two modules: A) concerning biochemical techniques for the study of the microbiome (metaproteomics) and B) concerning the metagenomic approach (fully practical part). In this module, the metagenomic analysis of an environmental sample (soil) and data processing will be addressed.

Plant Genetics: Domestication traits, from wild to cultivated species: genes that contributed to the modification of plant architecture, including spike/panicle shape, plant height. Genomes evolution and crop genomes features: genomes duplication and fate of duplicated genes, polyploidy, impact of transposable elements on traits evolution, genomics databases. Advanced approaches for generation of biodiversity: TILLING; EcoTilling and analytical approaches; plant genetic transformation (agrobaterium-based and biolistic); Genome editing. Genetics-genomics for biofortification: target genes for plant breeding and metabolic engineering in biofortification; strategies for increasing carotenoid in crop plants; Golden rice I and II; metabolic engineering strategies to increase and stabilize folic acid content in rice; Iron biofortification in rice: single and multiple genes approaches. Experimental populations in plants; F2, RILs, BCs, NILs, DHs, ILs; Trait Mapping Approaches; linkage mapping; association mapping-GWAS. Botany: Plant microbe interactions in a Plant Biotechnology frame. Types of interactions. Definition of symbiosis. Plant structural and chemical defenses. Plant constitutive and inducible defenses. Pathogen recognition. Pattern triggered immunity and Effector triggered immunity. Plant growth promoting bacteria: generalities. The case of nitrogen fixing bacteria with special reference to rhizobia. The NFC clade. Mycorrhizal symbioses. General introduction, types of mycorrhizae. Orchid, ericodi, arbuscular and ecto-mycorrhizae. The common symbiosis signalling pathway of rhizobial and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. Signalling in ectomycorrhizae. Case studies: the interaction of beneficial soil microbiota and plants, effects on the quality of products. Plant Physiology: Some consideration on demography and evolution of human population; the need for food during the history; born of agriculture and its development; domestication plants for agriculture; physiology and genetics of domestication; the green revolution; why we need a biotechnology approach to further develop agriculture; examples; plants and global climate changes

Plant microbe interactions in a Plant Biotechnology frame. Types of interactions. Definition of symbiosis. Plant structural and chemical defenses. Plant constitutive and inducible defenses. Pathogen recognition. Pattern triggered immunity and Effector triggered immunity. Plant growth promoting bacteria: generalities. The case of nitrogen fixing bacteria with special reference to rhizobia. The NFC clade. Mycorrhizal symbioses. General introduction, types of mycorrhizae. Orchid, ericodi, arbuscular and ecto-mycorrhizae. The common symbiosis signalling pathway of rhizobial and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. Signalling in ectomycorrhizae. Case studies: the interaction of beneficial soil microbiota and plants, effects on the quality of products.

Domestication traits, from wild to cultuvated species: genes that contributed to the modification of plant architecture, including spike/panicle shape, plant height, accumulation of nutraceutical compounds. Genomes evolution and crop genomes features: genomes duplication and fate of duplicated genes, polyploidy, impact of transposable elements on traits evolution, genomics databases. Advanced approaches for generation of biodiversity: TILLING; EcoTilling (and analytical approaches, e.g. Tilling by sequencing); plant genetic transformation (agrobaterium-based and biolistic); Genome editing (different genome editing approaches, its origin, examples of plants edited for useful traits, evolution of the editing procedure). Genetics-genomics for biofortification: target genes for plant breeding and metabolic engineering in biofortification; strategies for increasing carotenoid in crop plants; Tilling and GWAS in wheat and maize to increase carotenoids; Golden rice I and II; metabolic engineering strategies to increase and stabilize folic acid content in rice; Iron biofortification in rice: single and multiple genes approaches. Experimental populations in plants; F2; recombinant inbred lines (RILs); back-cross populations (BCs); near-isogenic lines (NILs); doubled-haploid lines (DHs); introgression lines (ILs); Trait Mapping Approaches; linkage mapping (single-marker analysis, bulk-segregant analysis, QTL analysys, Meta-QTL and expression-QTL); association mapping-GWAS (mapping panels, Linkage Disequilibrium, population structure, General Linear Model and Mixed Linear Model); high resolution genetic mapping for gene cloning.

i) Demographic evolution of human population; ii) food production and agricolture history; iii) early biotech: plant domestication; iv) molecular genetics aspects of plant dimestication; v) green revolution and its conseuqnces; vi) GMO vii) why we need biotechnology to further develop agricolture; viii) examples ix) plants and climate changes x) extreme climatic events and human migration