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ONC0251D Modeling and quantitative approaches to life science
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Modeling and quantitative approaches to life science
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Academic year 2023/2024
- Course ID
- ONC0251D
- Teacher
- Alberto Puliafito (Lecturer)
- Year
- 1st year
- Teaching period
- Annual
- Type
- Basic
- Credits/Recognition
- 2
- Course disciplinary sector (SSD)
- BIO/10 - biochemistry
- Delivery
- Formal authority
- Language
- English
- Attendance
- Obligatory
- Type of examination
- Written and oral
- Type of learning unit
- modulo
- Modular course
- Biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology (ONC0251)
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Sommario del corso
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Course objectives
The module aims at developing quantitative modeling approaches to a subset of topics faced in the other modules of the course. The student is presented with a minimal set of mathematical models that can be used in explainable learning to gain knowledge into how biological systems work, from molecules to cell growth and organ/tumor development. The overall objective of the module is to introduce mathematical models and reasoning that can be exploited to extract information from data.
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Results of learning outcomes
By the end of the module the student will have learned a small set of modeling tools and approaches that are propedeutic for the second year and that pave the way to extract information from data.
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Program
- Brief introduction to numbers in biology: rates, durations, space scales
- Experimental techniques and modeling in PCR, branching processes in molecular biology
- Modeling the central dogma of molecular biology
- Cytoskeletal/molecular motors and the generation of forces in cells
- Rate equations: enzyme kinetics and ligand-receptor signaling and trafficking
- How do cells sense the environments and take decisions: models of chemotaxis in bacteria and eukaryotic cells, with applications to cellular immunotherapy
- Cellular growth dynamics and regulation: continuous (Malthus, logistic and Gompertz) and stochastic models
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Course delivery
The course is structured into independent face to face lectures, with exercises in class and small group projects.
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Learning assessment methods
The exam is structured into two separate sections A and B. Particular attention will be devoted to integrate the different learning abilities, including knowledge and understanding, ability to apply knowledge and understanding and communication skills.
- Each module will end with a multiple choice question quiz in order for the student to evaluate her/his level of knowledge and understanding of the specific topics covered in the module. A weighted average (according to the fraction of CFU of each module) of the marks obtained in the final quiz of each module will account for a maximum total of 16 points. Should one or more modules be insufficient, the student will have to retake the module quiz or quizzes at the exam session.
- At the exam sessions students will have to present a written report (min 2 pages, max 3 pages) done by small groups (min 3 max 5 students) on a subject that can be selected among different topics proposed by the teachers of the course, in order to evaluate their ability to apply knowledge and understanding to a partially new context. Each group will be given a 20 min slot to present their work with a keynote presentation, where each member of the group will have to present a part of the work. The presentation will be followed by questions and discussion with the teachers and will account for maximum other 16 points.
Suggested readings and bibliography
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