OVERVIEW

This integrated course is organized in the modules of Pharmacology and Toxicology.

Pharmacology is the science that studies the path of a drug in the body and its therapeutic and unwanted effects, analyzing the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying them. In the biotechnology field, molecular and cellular pharmacology mainly studies the targets on which drugs act, the effects that the drug-target interaction induces in these processes and the structural relationships that can improve the response to drugs in terms of efficacy and safety.

Toxicology is the science that studies the adverse effects of exogenous and endogenous chemicals on living beings with the aim of identifying possible risks to human health and the environment. It plays a fundamental role in understanding the factors that influence the manifestation of these effects and the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, in order to prevent or antagonize them.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Module “Pharmacology” The aim of this course is to provide the students with knowledge about fundamental concepts of the main pharmacological classes, the basic concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, correlated to the study and the development of new drugs, and the methodologies of pharmacological experimentation. The course will be focused to study cellular molecular mechanisms of the action of drugs, deepening their receptorial mechanisms and signal transduction. Moreover, the course will underline the progresses, obtained using new technologies, molecular biology and biotechnology, towards the investigation of innovative pharmaceuticals molecules and the finding of new therapeutic targets. Module “Toxicology” The Toxicology module aims at providing students with the basic knowledge regarding the interactions between xenobiotics and living organisms and the mechanisms through which such interactions can lead to harmful effects.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and cellular biology.

TEACHING METHODS

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, should contact the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department before class begins, in order to liaise and arrange the specific teaching methods so that the learning aims and outcomes may be met.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

For programmes, see the individual modules

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY AND LABORATORY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The integrated course of Pharmacology and Toxicology includes a final oral exam on the topics covered in the lectures during the semester.

Students can choose among 3 sessions during the winter semester (in January and February) and 4 sessions in the summer one (June, July and September).

Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), disabilities or other educational needs regularly presented to the University, may request adaptations during the exam that must be made strictly at least 10 working days before the scheduled exam date by carefully following the instructions reported at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/comunicazioni.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The learning outcomes will be assessed during the exam by evaluating the student's competence on the different topics reported in the programs of the two modules, the use of appropriate scientific terminology and the ability to correlate and reason scientifically.
If the learning objectives are not achieved, the student will be invited to further verify his/her knowledge and possibly request further clarifications/explanations by contacting the teacher.