L3 - Biotechnology-Biotraceability-Bioresources

This course offers an in-depth look at the structural biochemistry of biomolecules, with a particular focus on proteins and nucleic acids.

The basic concepts and nomenclature used to analyze 3D protein structures are briefly reviewed (Ramachandran diagram, structural motif and domain, folding, family, superfamily, etc......). These notions are complemented by a study of the stability and dynamics of biomolecules.

The structural classification of proteins is detailed according to the 4 main types of folding. Structure-function relationships are illustrated using examples of proteins. Specificities of membrane protein structures (integral proteins, membrane-bound proteins) are discussed.

The main tools for modeling and predicting secondary and tertiary structures are presented.

The different structures and functions of nucleic acids are studied. Protein-nucleic acid complexes are described from a structural point of view (main recognition motifs, ...) and the notions of recognition specificity are detailed.

This course is illustrated by tutorials. These involve familiarizing students with the main databases used in structural biology, as well as with PyMol software for 3D structure analysis.

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The aim of this course is to help students understand the tripartite relationship between safety - legislation - detection tools. Human activity to meet the needs of growth, well-being and health of populations requires the monitoring of industrial practices. Rules governing limit levels for pollutants and other substances imply acceptable limits that must be quantified.

This course covers European food safety legislation, which requires a pragmatic approach to compliance with industry standards. Biology students working in a wide range of sectors, from agronomy to healthcare, need to be familiar with the fundamentals of quality management.

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This EU is the logical continuation of the S4 EU (Basics of physiology and immunology) and aims to deepen knowledge of fundamental, applied and clinical immunology. We will also cover "unconventional" immunology and develop innovative immunotherapy strategies. The course will cover all aspects of modern immunology, with a strong emphasis on clinical aspects.

 Key words

Fundamental immunology, Anti-infectious immunity, Immunotherapy, vaccination, Autoimmunity, Immune deficiencies, Anti-cancer immunity, Non-conventional immunity

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In this course, students work in groups to carry out bibliographical research on a selection of medicinal plants during tutorials, in order to identify plant biomolecules with potential biological or pharmacological properties. Using the documents provided, each group identifies, proposes and implements an extraction protocol and a simple biological activity test protocol to test the biostatic, antibiotic or antioxidant activity of the targeted molecules. The bibliographic monitoring approach and the results obtained during the practical work, together with their analysis and interpretation, will be discussed during a poster presentation session, which will lead to an assessment.

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Molecular biology is a fascinating subject of study in its own right, but it also provides other disciplines in biology (cell biology, genetics, physiology...) with fantastic tools for modifying and quantifying genes and their products.

The EU provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of organization, maintenance, replication and expression (transcription, post-transcriptional modifications, translation) of eukaryotic genomes.

In particular, we'll be exploring the properties of information-carrying macromolecules (DNA, RNA, proteins), and how transactions between them explain how eukaryotic cells function and adapt to the environment and to the development of organisms.

At the same time, the main techniques for monitoring or modifying gene expression, or for studying the mechanisms of this expression, will be explained in class and analyzed in greater depth in practical sessions.

TDs will address these topics in the form of (1) exercises enabling students to check their understanding of the knowledge described above, and (2) experiments extracted from scientific articles to be analyzed. In this way, the fundamentals of scientific reasoning and the critical analysis of results are acquired and/or deepened.

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This course introduces the basics of nano-biotechnologies for diagnostics and detection.

1- Introduction to biosensors and embedded systems

The different types of electrochemical sensors (conductimetry, potentiometry and amperometry): - Biosensors from the Clark electrode to the amperometric glucometer. - The potentiostat: a simple standardized measurement system

- Transistors: semiconductors

- nanotubes or wires made of carbon, silicon, graphene, etc.

- Impedance measurement

2- Introduction to biomimicry

- Self-assembly of spherical structures: viruses, ferritin, dendrimers

- Self-assembly of monolayers

3- Functional organic chemistry

            - L1 organic chemistry reminder

            - Biomolecules (functions involved, carbonyl, amines, alcohols, thiols)

            - Structures

            - Functionalization basics

            - Redox reaction

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This teaching unit covers the different categories of biotechnologies according to their field of application:

• Plant biotechnologies concern the agri-food industry and encompass a range of technologies that use plant organisms and their cells to produce and transform food products, biomaterials and energy, as well as recombinant proteins for therapeutic purposes.

• Animal biotechnology covers the fields of health, drugs, diagnostics and tissue engineering, as well as the development of genetic or molecular processes for therapeutic purposes.
• Microbial biotechnologies involve the use of micro-organisms (viruses or bacteria) and their cultivation in the agri-food/pharmaceutical industry, as well as their use in environmental protection.

The teaching offered to students in the Licence 3 Life Sciences is designed to enable them to discover or deepen their theoretical knowledge of the various biotechnologies, and to master the associated tools/applications.

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The main aim of this module is to provide a better understanding of the major concepts of modern biology, through the history of their development. In other words, to analyze the intellectual path and the experimental and theoretical approaches that led to their construction. For example, we'll look at how the search for a "natural" classification led Jean-Baptiste Monet de Lamarck and Charles Darwin to lay the foundations of evolutionary biology, or how Etienne Geoffroy Saint Hilaire's concept of "unity of organization plan" is at the origin of evolutionary paleontology, developmental biology and evolution/development (Evo/Devo).

In the context of bioethics, we'll look at the problems of conceptual drift (from craniology to eugenics), or the cases of "Georges Cuvier" and "Trophim Lyssenko" when religious or political ideology interferes with science.

Finally, biological philosophy will lead us to discuss the value of models in biology, and the "end of the all-genetic" (from Lamarck through epigenesis to epigenetics).

The entire module will be taught in lectures, during which some of the founding texts of modern biology will be analyzed and discussed.

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The Molecular Biology practical course is designed to give students autonomy when faced with a molecular biology protocol, and to introduce them to hypothesis-driven research. Students will have 6 days to respond to a biological problem proposed to them. In this way, they will be able to put into practice, under laboratory conditions, some of the techniques they have learnt in their theoretical courses, and gain a better understanding of them.

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In this course, students will learn experimental principles based on the manipulation of nucleic acids. The lectures will be structured around two major themes:

1. Introduction of molecular tools (cloning, nucleic acid analysis, vectorology) ii. Their applications (expression of recombinant proteins, genomic banking, transgenesis, CRISPR/CAS9 system, etc.) and reflection on the notion of ethics in biology.

The TDs will consist of :

- Analysis of articles presenting problems to be solved with the knowledge acquired in the course. As far as possible, the themes chosen will refer to the parallel UEs of L3. These articles will be presented by students in the form of oral presentations in groups of 3 or 4 to the whole class.

- Sessions reserved for the use of basic bioinformatics tools in the computer room.

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The aim of the course is to review molecular identification techniques, with particular emphasis on biomarkers, advances in the latest generations of biomarkers and selective membranes, and new instrumentation.

Molecular diagnostic techniques / mass approaches.

Ag receptor biosynthesis in B and T lymphocytes 

Antigen-antibody reactions 

Immunological techniques 

FACS principle

Proteomics, 2D, LC-MS, MS-MS. Degradome...

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The course takes a more in-depth look at biosensor design. It begins with general notions of graft chemistry for the functionalization of supports. Finally, an introduction to microfluidics will enable students to design instrumentation. This course is essentially a hands-on experience, with a real bibliographical search designed to enable students to work on their own instrumental development projects.

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The modalities of this UE are specifically adapted to the different L3 courses. Nevertheless, the objectives are the same: to give students an insight into the professional world of life science research.

Students will be offered a short internship in a laboratory/company or a tutored project with a tutor working in a laboratory or company associated with biology.

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The aim of this course is to acquire knowledge of fundamental and applied virology, with an emphasis on an integrative vision of the discipline. It will present the specific features of host-virus interactions and the pathophysiology of viral infections in different host types (vertebrates/insects/plants). It will cover aspects of viral ecology, emergence and associated risks for human and animal health. Finally, the course will present the study methods used in research, virological detection and diagnosis tools, and the applications of viruses in biotechnology.

The course will include lectures, tutorials (analysis of current scientific articles and oral presentations) and practical work illustrating the lectures and tutorials (virus amplification and purification, and quantification using reference techniques).

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