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    Moodle is an open-source Learning Management System (LMS) that provides educators with the tools and features to create and manage online courses. It allows educators to organize course materials, create quizzes and assignments, host discussion forums, and track student progress. Moodle is highly flexible and can be customized to meet the specific needs of different institutions and learning environments.

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Available courses

INTROCTION TO AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Course Overview: Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Vectors

Course Title:

Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Biology, Engineering, and Applications in Gene Therapy

Course Description:

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV), one of the most widely used viral vectors in modern gene therapy. Students will explore AAV biology, vector design, production methods, safety considerations, regulatory requirements, and therapeutic applications. The course blends molecular virology, biotechnology, and translational medicine, preparing learners to understand and evaluate AAV-based therapeutic strategies.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Explain the basic biology and life cycle of AAV.

  • Describe AAV vector design, including promoters, capsid variants, and genome packaging.

  • Compare AAV serotypes, tropisms, and engineered capsids.

  • Understand production, purification, and quantification techniques.

  • Evaluate preclinical and clinical applications of AAV vectors.

  • Assess immune responses, biosafety, and regulatory considerations.

  • Analyze case studies of FDA-approved AAV gene therapies.

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to AAV Biology

  • Discovery and natural biology

  • AAV structure and genome organization

  • Rep and Cap proteins

  • Dependence on helper viruses

Module 2: AAV Vector Engineering

  • Recombinant AAV (rAAV) design

  • Packaging capacity limitations

  • Use of promoters, enhancers, and regulatory elements

  • Self-complementary AAV (scAAV)

Module 3: AAV Serotypes & Capsid Engineering

  • Natural serotypes and tissue tropism

  • Rational and directed evolution capsid engineering

  • Immune evasion strategies

Module 4: AAV Production & Purification

  • HEK293-based transient transfection systems

  • Helper virus–based systems

  • Purification techniques (CsCl, iodixanol, chromatography)

  • Quality control and assay methods

Module 5: Preclinical Studies

  • Animal models

  • Biodistribution and transduction efficiency

  • Dose considerations

  • Toxicology

Module 6: Clinical Applications of AAV

  • Approved therapies (e.g., Luxturna, Zolgensma)

  • Ongoing clinical trials

  • Organ-specific delivery: CNS, liver, retina, muscle

Module 7: Safety & Regulatory Considerations

  • Immune responses to AAV

  • Off-target effects

  • Manufacturing guidelines (GMP)

  • Regulatory pathways (FDA/EMA)

Module 8: Future Directions

  • Next-generation capsids

  • Non-viral gene transfer

  • Genome editing with AAV (CRISPR delivery)

  • Ethical and cost considerations

Target Audience

  • Biotechnology and biomedical engineering students

  • Researchers entering gene therapy

  • Professionals in pharma/biotech

  • Clinicians interested in translational medicine