The MAPS Biotechnology Lab comprises the Preparatory Biotechnology and PCR, Post-PCR and Data Elaboration labs. The Biotechnology Lab is the crossest MAPS lab. It checks a lot of needs, first of all those which come from the VTH.

The Preparatory Biotechnology Lab develops biological samples necessary for molecular analysis. Its main activity is the extraction of nucleic acid from biological samples brought to microbiology and infectious diseases or to parasitology and parasitic diseases. Extraction can be done originating from different mould of animal origin as tampons, blood, exudates, faeces or others. The extraction could also be done from pathogens such as bacteria or parasites. The nucleic acids extracted are investigated for a second time through DNA amplification techniques and the subsequent sequencing and analysis of the products is obtained at the PCR, Post-PCR and Data Elaboration labs.

The PCR, Post-PCR, Data elaboration labs executes fast diagnosis of animals’ viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. They supports the activities of the Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Lab and Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Lab . They use PCR and real-time PCR methods.

The PCR technique allows scientists to create a number of copies of specific nucleotide sequences in samples. The creation of these sequences enables checking for the presence of specific microorganisms. In the Post-PCR phase, the scientists could evaluate and record the results through electrophoresis, the product of amplification on the basis of their molecular weight. The amplification gives another chance to check of the validity of the results or the possibility to do other phylogenetic analysis on particular species. The advantages of the PCR method are its accuracy and the speed it takes to gather the results.

In the lab, there are four placements for data elaboration. The lab also hosts, in specific areas, all the tools necessary for PCR and post-PCR activities related to diagnostic and research activities of the MAPS department.

Tools used

• 3 Thermal Cycler 2720 (Applied Biosystems)
• 1 Termociclatore TGradient (Biometra)
• 1 Termociclatore TPersonal (Biometra)
• 3 MyGo Pro (IT-IS)
• 1 GelDoc EZ Imaging System (Biorad)
• 1 alimentatore PowerPac200 (Biorad)
• 1 alimentatore PowerPac1000 (Biorad)
• 1 alimentatore EPS601 (Amersham Pharmacia)
• 1 alimentatore MP-250N (PBI)

Biotechnology Lab staff

Scientific Expert and Manager: Dr Daniela Pasotto
e-mail: daniela.pasotto@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 2967; +39 049 827 2972

Scientific Expert and Manager: Dr. Giulia Simonato
e-mail: giulia.simonato@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 2611

Technical Expert: Dr Alessandra Mondin
e-mail: alessandra.mondin@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 2616

Other professors and technicians

Microbiologia e Malattie Infettive

Prof. Mattia Cecchinato
e-mail: mattia.cecchinato@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 2968

Prof. Michele Drigo
e-mail: michele.drigo@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 2968

Dr Giovanni Franzo
e-mail: giovanni.franzo@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 2968

Dr Maria Luisa Menandro
e-mail: marialuisa.menandro@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 2967

Dr Claudia Maria Tucciarone
e-mail: claudiamaria.tucciarone@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 2968

Dr Giorgia Dotto
e-mail: giorgia.dotto@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 2616

Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie

Prof. Rudi Cassini
e-mail: rudi.cassini@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 2777

Prof. Antonio Frangipane di Regalbono
e-mail: antonio.frangipane@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 2969

Dr Federica Marcer
e-mail: federica.marcer@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 2777

Dr Cinzia Tessarin
e-mail: cinzia.tessarin@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 2970

How to bring samples to the lab

Please contact the lab for information on how to bring samples to the lab.

Labs hours

Mon to Fri: 08.30 - 16.30

For more information, please contact:

Edificio Stecche – Stecca I, primo piano - Agripolis
Viale dell’Università 16 – 35020, Legnaro (PD)
Tel. +39 049 827 2616
e-mail: laboratorio.malattieinfettive@unipd.it