85149 - Molecular Physiology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has deepened the molecular mechanisms through which physiological adjustments are carried out at the cellular level in response to signals from hormones and other cellular messengers, as well as at the cellular, organ and organism level in relation to the aging process.

Course contents

1. Pathophysiological role of protein degradation mechanisms (proteasome and lysosomes) and autophagy.

2. Pathophysiological systems of cell death.

3. Pathophysiological role of conventional and non-conventional cellular communication systems, in particular those mediated by vesicles and gas (nitrogen monoxide).

4. Molecular mechanisms underlying homeostatic integration systems: neuroendocrine regulation. Atypical endocrine systems, inflammation and adipose tissue.

5. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of senescence and aging.

6. Gut-brain axis as a model of molecular interaction between the nervous system, the immune system and the digestive system with the intestinal microbiota and its pathophysiological role.

7. Cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the circadian rhythm and its pathophysiological role.

Readings/Bibliography

There are no textbooks available, but lecture presentations and articles will be made available on Virtuale.

Teaching methods

The teaching methods include a part of frontal lessons and a part of the course carried out as an inverted class, in which students present scientific articles, which are discussed with the class. This part is valid for the exam.

Assessment methods

In the final part of the course, each student will present a scientific article, with a ppt presentation lasting about 15 minutes and a discussion of about 5-10 minutes with the collegues; this part will represent the 50% of the final grade. The article for the presentation will be chosen in a wide range proposed by the teacher; these are research publications related to the various topics covered in the course. If a student for any reason cannot make the presentation during the course, it is allowed to do the presentatio during the exam, but each student will only have 10 minutes available (8 for the presentation and 2 for the discussion). The other part of the exam consists of an oral interview leading to a mark that will constitute the second half of the final mark. During the interview, the student will be asked to start with a topic of his choice and then the discussion will continue touching on the various topics of the course.

Teaching tools

All the material used for the lessons (power point presentation) will be made available to students onVirtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Barbara Monti