C9606 - METALS IN TOXICOLOGY

Learning outcomes

Students will gain a thorough understanding of hazard assessment with a focus on metals in toxicology. This course unit integrates principles of toxicology, the role of metals in toxicity and health, and advanced methods for studying chemical interactions with DNA, providing view of the molecular and systemic effects of metal exposure. The student is expected to be able to: 1. Identify toxic metals, their sources of exposure, and their health effects, and understand the molecular mechanisms of metal toxicity, including their potential applications in therapeutic metallodrugs; 2. Analyze and apply methods to study chemical interactions with DNA, including techniques such as voltammetry, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), and switchSense, with an emphasis on evaluating DNA-metal interactions; 3. Apply the principles of toxicology and ecotoxicology to assess the risks posed by metals in environmental and occupational settings, understanding their role in dose-response relationships and systemic toxicity.

Course contents

The CU is composed of three modules with the following contents.

Principles of Toxicology and Ecotoxicology

Introduction to toxicology and ecotoxicology. Molecular and cellular mechanisms of toxicity. Chemicals and human health. Environmental fate of pollutants.

Metals in toxicology and health

The module will introduce students not only to the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in metal-induced health effects but also how metal-induced toxicity can be explored for the development of therapeutic metallodrugs
The contents of this module cover:
1. Metals, metalloids, their chemistry and sources of exposure
2. Health impacts of metals
3. Molecular mechanisms of metal-induced toxicity
4. Techniques used in metal evaluation/detection
5. Metallodrugs

Selected methods to study chemicals interactions with DNA

The module will introduce students to the toxicological role of interaction between chemicals and DNA and to the methods used for their study . The topics covered include:
1. Structure and role of DNA
2. Drug-DNA interactions
3. Voltammetric methods

Readings/Bibliography

Lecturer notes and slides

Teaching methods

The course unit is divided into three modules taught independently at different times in the academic year, each module is organized in theoretical classes where main concepts are introduced, as well as tutorial classes with discussion of case-study examples.

Assessment methods

Each module learning is evaluated independently, exploiting: i) written tests; ii) oral presentations or interviews; iii) written assignments or combinations of them. The Course Unit grade will be the arithmetic mean of grades from the three modules. ChIRS grades scale goes from 1 to 100, pass grade is
40, and will be translated into ECTS and different University scales. Criteria: knowledge on a very limited number of topics covered in the course and analytical ability that emerges only with the help of the instructor, using generally correct language → 40-45;
Knowledge on a limited number of topics covered in the course and independent analytical ability only on purely executive
issues, using correct language → 45-60;
Knowledge on a large number of topics covered in the course, ability to make independent critical analysis choices, mastery
of specific terminology → 60-80;
Essentially comprehensive knowledge on the topics covered in the course, ability to make independent critical analysis and
connection choices, full mastery of specific terminology, and ability for argumentation and self-reflection → 80-100.

Teaching tools

Lectures slides and notes will be available on the course moodle https://emmcchir-learning.ualg.pt

Office hours

See the website of Mariusz Makowski

See the website of Cristina Pubill Ulldemolins

See the website of Ana Isabel Antunes Tomaz Diniz