Environmental Monitoring and Recovery

The course is based in a first introduction part in which the competence of ecotoxicology, definition and regulatory aspect. A second part will be dedicated to the cellular and molecular biomarkers. The main topics that will be introduced are: toxikinatic, toxidynamic, biotransformation, cellular sites of action, description and definition of the main biomarkers, carcinogenesis, teratogenesis, toxicology of respiratory, nervous, hepatic, renal , cardiovascular systems, immunotxicology. The last part will develop the population biomarkers. Use of the macroinvertebrates communities, for their basal role in the trophic chain. Macroinvertebrates can metabolize the organic material and to make them available to the higher trophic levels. In addition they are very sensitive to the environmental stresses and they can be themself biomarkers. In particular, the damage caused by the presence of substances, potentially dangerous for humans, on the DNA of organism tested will be studied. This analysis will be done by means of genotoxc test called Comet assay

The student should have cell biology and biochemistry knowledge

Material given by the professor Mutagenesi ambientale, 2004, Migliore L. Ed Zanichelli (for the general/cellular part) Elementi di genetica ecologica, 2005, Conner e Hartl. Ed Piccin. (for the genetic of population)

The course is built with lessons, smart lessons and practical laboratories. During the lessons will be analysed the different types of environmental stress and the cellular reponse, both general and stress- and tissues- specific. During the practical laboratories will be introduced the the methods of the biomarkers determination, with particular attention to the use of cell cultures and the use of genomic and proteomic methods.In additionsampling strategies and analysis of molecular data will be introduced.

presence

The student evaluation will be done with an oral and/or written exam. In itinere evaluation will be considered and established with the students.

The course is built with lessons, smart lessons and practical laboratories. During the lessons will be analysed the different types of environmental stress and the cellular reponse, both general and stress- and tissues- specific. During the practical laboratories will be introduced the the methods of the biomarkers determination, with particular attention to the use of cell cultures and the use of genomic and proteomic methods.In additionsampling strategies and analysis of molecular data will be introduced.