Teaching

PhD students can attend each of the following teaching activities once during the three-year frame of the PhD program. 

Courses organized by the PhD program:

- Digital processing of biomolecular images (15 hr, 1 CFU). Lecturer: Prof. Alberto Danielli.
- Ethical and practical aspects of animal use in experimental research". Lecturer: Prof. Nicola Facchinello (Prof. Monica Forni, Prof. Luca Lorenzini).
- Biocrystallography (15 hr, 1 CFU). Lecturer: Dr. Luca Mazzei (Prof. Barbara Zambelli).
- Communicating science: languages, narratives, and tools (15 hr, 1 CFU). Lecturer: Prof. Barbara Zambelli.
- Methods to study the architecture and function of chromatin (15 hours, 1 CFU). Lecturer: Dr. Giorgio Milazzo (Prof. Giovanni Perini).
- Genome editing technologies using CRISPR-Cas systems (15 hr, 1 CFU). Lecturer:  Prof. Francesco Chemello.
- Technologies for genome instability (15 hr, 1 CFU). Lecturer: Prof. Jessica Marinello.

Other courses:

- English language improvement (Academic English Skills, 48 hr): Organized by The University Linguistic Centre.

- Soft skills - Competenze trasversali: Organized by UniBO

Seminars and tutoring activities:

- Seminars organized by the FABIT Department (~30/year). The list of the seminars can be found at the bottom of this page
- Interdisciplinary seminars organized by the Institute for Advanced Study of the University of Bologna (about 20/year).
- Tutoring activities can be carried out (subject to authorization from the Faculty Members) in the teaching laboratories of the Bachelor's and Master's Degree courses relating to the research topics addressed.

Upon completion of the course, the doctoral student possesses solid knowledge of new technologies for studying the cellular, molecular and genomic mechanisms leading to the onset of DNA damage and repair mechanisms. The doctoral candidate is familiar with the main methods of damage analysis and mapping, such as immunofluorescence with specific markers, Comet Assay, Proximity Ligation Assay, End-Seq and Bliss. The doctoral student also acquires the ability to select the most suitable ones for potential use in the design of his or her own research.

This course will provide the basic concepts behind different methods to analyse the chromatin architecture and function. Specifically, the student will learn how to fully set up and analyse experiments aimed to study chromatin conformation, function and interaction.

CRISPR-Cas systems are revolutionizing the field of genetic engineering. By the end of the course, the PhD student will understand how CRISPR-Cas systems were discovered, how this technology can be applied, and the latest “CRISPR-Cas based” tools that can be used for genome editing in vitro and in vivo. The PhD student will also learn how to design genome editing experiments, gaining the skills to design sgRNAs, select the most appropriate gene editor, and choose the best model for testing.

At the end of the course, the PhD student:

• has acquired basic elements for the correct digital manipulation of scientific images and their composition in vector graphics;
• understands the management of channels, layers and colours to optimise the visual rendering of blots and micrographs;
• is familiar with freeware applications for the analysis and management of scientific images (ImageJ-FIJI, GIMP) and vector graphics (Inkscape);
• has knowledge of the risks and responsibilities associated with image manipulation and is able to recognise the most common artefacts.

In particular, the student acquires skills on:

• elements of the scientific figure;
• correct management of colours and levels (contrast, brightness);
• common artefacts: how to recognise and avoid them;
• introduction to ImageJ (FIJI) for image analysis;
• principles of vector graphics;
• figure composition in vector graphics (cartoons, deuglifying Excel graphs, lettering etc.)

The 15-hour course will consist of a first theoretical section, followed by a practical computational session. In the first part, students will learn the basis of macromolecular crystallography, including principles of protein crystallization, properties of the X-ray radiation and its interaction with crystalline matter. Students will also acquire knowledge on the methods for the structural determination of biological macromolecules by X-ray diffraction. In the second part of the course, students will process experimental X-ray diffraction datasets collected on protein crystals. The resulting electron density maps will be used for the refinement of the protein model with the aim of determining the final X-ray structure.

The Programme is  designed by UniBO for all PhD students and has the following goals:
- Supporting the international dimension of the PhD curriculum and strengthening the role of academic research within industry and Public Administration;
- Enhancing future Research Doctors’ career prospects by means of specific training on soft skills;
- Designing curricula for the taught components of Doctoral degrees and through standardized formats and practices.

The 2024-25 edition of the Programme aims to build and deepen cross-discipline skills for PhD candidates in the following areas:
Promoting and communicating research;
Methods and tools;
Planning one's personal future