OVERVIEW

The study of marine pharmaceuticals resources, clinical application of marine bioactive drugs and material is an emerging discipline. In the last years, several drugs were developed and placed in marketing from marine natural products and many marine-derived chemicals are investigated in preclinical and clinical research.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide knowledge on the numerous pharmacological potentialities, on the mechanisms of action and the molecular targets of natural substances isolated from the marine world. The world research on natural drugs has focused its interest on this topic. The basic knowledge of modern pharmacology and toxicology will be provided to fully understand the potential and impact of these molecules. The marine toxins and their effects on a living organism will be explored too.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The main objective is to acquire knowledge of natural substances isolated from the marine world, their use in clinical or preclinical pharmacology, their mechanisms of action and molecular targets. This objective will be achieved based on the elemental concepts of modern pharmacology and toxicology. The students could consider the sea as a resource to protect and monitor. At the end of the course the students will have to learn about natural substances isolated from the marine world, describe their mechanism of action, report on their progress in preclinical pharmacology or applications in clinical pharmacology; they will have to understood the basic aspects of pharmacology and toxicology and know some pharmacological targets and their signal transduction. The students must also know elements of marine ecofarmacology and describe the origin, effect and mechanism of action in a living organism, quantitative pharmacological and toxicological aspects of some marine toxins.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lessons with an in-depth analysis of the program.

Therefore, the frequency of lessons is recommended.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Essential lexicon in Pharmacology and Toxicology: active substances (drugs; medicinal preparations; medicinal herbs; placebo), xenobiotics, toxicological agent. The scope of the field.

Elements of Pharmacology and Toxicology: Activity, Safety, Efficacy in preclinical and clinical studies; ED50 LD50; Therapeutic Index and Margin of Safety, NOEL, LOEL

Marine drugs: targets, pharmacological activity, pharmacokinetics, toxicity and clinical uses

Marine Biotoxins

Ecopharmacology and ecopharmacovigilance: drugs in the sea

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Golan DE e altri - Principi di Farmacologia – Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

Rang HP, Dale MM, RitterJM, Flower RJ - Farmacologia - Ed. Elsevier Masson

Howland RD, Mycek MJ – Le basi della farmacologia – Ed Zanichelli

Notes of Lessons

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CHIARA CERVETTO (President)

MANUELA MARCOLI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The lessons of the first semester will start from September 30th 2019 and will end by January 17th 2020, the lessons of the second semester will start from February 17th 2020 and will end by June 12th 2020.

Consult detailed timetable at the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

To assess student’s achievement of learning, the examination will be an oral exam (30 minutes), always in presence of the Commission consisting of at least of two professors (or sometimes in presence of a professor and an expert subject designated by the CCS).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The Commission will verify the achievement of learning outcome with high accuracy. During the examination, the Commission will collect information about the knowledge of the topics and their understating, the communication skills as well as the connection and reasoning within topics of the course.

When the educational objectives will be not achieved, the student will be invited to verify better the knowledge and to use supplemental explanations contacting the professor.

Exam schedule