CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY Single channel
Chair (Coordinator) and Rapporteur: CLAUDIO TALORA
Lecturers
Objectives
General Aims
The objective of the course of Molecular and Cellular Pathology is to provide a firm foundation for understanding the molecular and cellular basis of disease. Goals: understanding the molecular complexity in human disease basis, understanding how most common diseases are linked to the dysfunction of specific pathways and how the application of molecular and cellular approach might help to advance medical research and the translation and application of knowledge to human disease.
Specific Aims
1. Knowledge and Understanding
The goal of the courses is to provide students a rigorous intellectual foundation of the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of human disease. Appreciate how most human diseases are linked with molecular or cellular dysfunction. Students should be able to articulate basic disease mechanisms that can underlie an identified pathology.
2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding
At the end of the course students will have a solid understanding of the basic mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level that are correlated with the pathologic mechanisms that underlie human disease. This background is particularly important for Pharmaceutical Biotechnolgy students by equipping students with an advanced knowledge of molecular pathology and an understanding of the relevant principles and rationale for practical applications of therapeutic approach.
3. Making judgments
Didactic and highly interactive lectures are provided to obtain an understanding of how in most common diseases insufficient knowledge about the pathogenesis of human diseases may limit the effectiveness of the present therapeutic approaches. Students will know how molecular and cellular pathology is presently applied to gain insight into how disease conditions are investigated at a molecular level, as well as understanding how this may positively affect the therapeutic approach to human diseases.
4. Communication skills
Students' achievement of learning outcomes is demonstrated by the ability to analyze and critically discuss molecular and cellular mechanisms that contribute to human disease. Students’ evaluation is based by oral exam and the final score represents the sum of the two modules of the course. The overall knowledge of students is verified and students obtain their evaluation from grade 18 to grade 30. An exam is considered passed if the final grade is equal to or higher than 18/30. In the event of a full grade (30/30), the Examination Board may grant honours (lode).
5. Learning skills
The Program in Molecular and cellular pathology focuses on the molecular mechanisms that cause diseases, the newest technologies in genomics, and proteomics as well as the development of prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic tools. This is a crucial aspect to help students understand their learning interests as Pharmacological Biotechnology students, enhancing their dispositions to be active and autonomous learners.
Learning outcomes
Students will acquire knowledge in order to understand the use of the Omics approach in the study of human diseases, and gain information on the molecular mechanisms of cellular damage and cancer pathologies, and identify potential therapeutic targets such as nuclear receptors. They will acquire expertise in the molecular basis of inflammation, endocrine disorders, diabetes, and liver diseases. Additionally, they will have the basic knowledge to apply new experimental approaches in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, including 3D models and organ-on-a-chip systems, to study and treat degenerative diseases.
Prerequisites
None. No specific requirement are needed to attend the course: However, a background knowledge of Biology and Genetics, Biochemistry, Histology and Embryology, Microbiology and Virology, Human Anatomy is expected.
Programme
Module 1: Model system in biomedical research. Multi-omics approachs to human diseases. Molecular Mechanism of Cell injury in human Diseases. Molecular Mechanism of oncogenesis and precision medicine.
Inflammatory mechanisms: the molecular basis of inflammation: the molecular basis of inflammation. Mechanism Molecular basis of Diseases of the endocrine system. Nuclear Receptor: mechanisms of action and therapeutic targets. Molecular Basis of Pathogenesis of Diabetes. Molecular basis of hepatic pathologies.
Module 2: Molecular mechanisms behind degenerative diseases of the heart, skeletal muscle, lungs, circulatory system, peripheral and central nervous system. New approaches in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, drug delivery, generation of 3D tissue and organ on a chip for disease modeling.
Books
Pontieri-Russo-Frati, Patologia Generale, Ed Piccin
Robbins and Cotran, Basi patologiche delle malattie, Elsevier Saunders
Rubin and Strayer, Patologia Generale, Ed Piccin
Thompson & Thompson
Genetica in Medicina
Robert L. Nussbaum MD FACP FACMG;Roderick R. McInnes CM MD PhD FRS(C) FCAHS FCCMG;Huntington F Willard PhD
Thompson & Thompson
Genetics in Medicine
Robert L. Nussbaum MD FACP FACMG;Roderick R. McInnes CM MD PhD FRS(C) FCAHS FCCMG;Huntington F Willard PhD
Material provided by the teacher: research and review articles
Teaching material provided by the Instructor's course : Reviews and scientific article.
Lessons mode
Frontal lessons.
Frequency
While attendance is not required, students are strongly encouraged to participate in class activities to enhance their learning experienceng
Exam mode
Verbal examination- evaluation include a discussion with the student of the topics covered in the classroom.
Example exam questions
The role of the Omics approach in enhancing the understanding and treatment of human diseases, particularly in the context of precision medicine.
What are the main molecular mechanisms involved in cellular damage, and how do they contribute to the development of cancer pathologies?
How can nuclear receptors be used as therapeutic targets in endocrine diseases?
Explain how localized drug delivery can be applied in degenerative diseases of the heart or lung.
What advantages do 3D tissue models or organ-on-a-chip systems offer in studying degenerative diseases and developing new therapies?
Arguments
- Lesson
1 (2h) –
Model systems in the study of human diseases - Lesson 2 (2h) – The “-Omics” approach in the study of human pathologies
- Lesson 3 (2h) – Molecular mechanisms of cellular damage and their role
in human diseases - Lesson 4 (2h) – Molecular mechanisms in tumor pathologies and precision
medicine - Lesson 5 (2h) – Inflammation: molecular basis of the inflammatory
process - Lesson 6 (2h) – Molecular basis of endocrine system diseases
- Lesson 7 (2h) – Nuclear receptors as therapeutic targets
- Lesson 8 (2h) – Molecular mechanisms of diabetes
- Lesson 9 (2h) – Molecular pathology of liver diseases
- Lesson 10 (2h) – Integrated discussion: linking molecular mechanisms and
clinical applications - Lesson 11 (2h) –Review of the module topics
- Lesson 12 (2h) – Conclusions and insights into perspectives of
translational research - Lesson 1 –
Cardiac pathophysiology and ischemic heart diseases – 2 h - Lesson 2 – Congenital heart diseases – 2 hours
- Lesson 3 – Dystrophies and musculoskeletal disorders – 2 hours
- Lesson 4 – Neurodegenerative diseases – 2 hours
- Lesson 5 – Neurodegenerative diseases and trinucleotide repeat expansion
disorders – 2 hours - Lesson 6 – Cystic fibrosis and multiple sclerosis – 2 hours
- Lesson 7 – Introduction to the principles of tissue engineering and tissue
modelling – 2 hours - Lesson 8 – New approaches to tissue regeneration through tissue engineering and
cell therapies: the role of cells – 2 hours - Lesson 9 – Use of biomaterials, cells and regulators in the development of
tissues for regenerative medicine applications – 2 hours - Lesson 10 – Nanocarriers and nanoparticles in drug delivery – 2 hours
- Lesson 11 – Principles for the development of in vitro disease models – 2 hours
- Lesson 12 – Organ-on-a-chip technology – 2 hours
Sustainability goals
- Academic year2026/2027
- Degree program to which the course belongsPharmaceutical Biotechnology
- Lesson code1022409
- Year and semester2nd year - 1st semester
- Activity typeAttività formative caratterizzanti
- Academic areaDiscipline biotecnologiche comuni
- SSDMED/04
- Mandatory presenceNo
- Languageita
- CFU6 CFU
- Total duration48 hours
- Hours distribution48 classroom hours