46107 - Molecular Physiology

Learning outcomes

The Italian version is no more valid. The main focus of the course will be to render the student able to integrate molecular information to understand cell and organism function.

Course contents

Pathophysiological role of  protein degradation systems (proteasome and lysosome) and autophagy. Pathophysiological role of intra and inter cellular communication systems (conventional and not), in particular those mediated by vesicles and gas (nitrogen monoxide). Molecular mechanisms of homeostatic systems integration: the neuroendocrine regulation. Pathophysiology of cell death systems. Development and aging of the nervous system as a model of molecular interactions and their functional alterations in senescence.

Readings/Bibliography

Basic knowledge of the already used texts of Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular biology will be required. Specific review and research articles will be suggested for the advanced stage of information.

Teaching methods

Lectures; scientific papers presentation by students and class discussion.

Assessment methods

Oral examination. Students who attend the c credits ourse are expected to present a scientific paper during the course. To this presentation it will be assigned a rating that is 50% of the final grade. At the end of the course, the oral examination will be an interview; to this inteview will be assigned a rating that will be the other half of the final grade. For students who attend the credits course, there will be only an oral examination that will determine the final grade. In both cases, the interview will ask the student to start from chosen subject and then to continue the discussion on various topics of the course.

Teaching tools

The material utilized for lectures (power point presentation) will be made available to students. Reading and analysis of research article will be encouraged

Office hours

See the website of Barbara Monti