B8991 - Molecular Mechanisms of Cellular Toxicity

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student understands the biochemical processes involving the main xenobiotics and the key mechanisms of accumulation, biotransformation, detoxification, and mutagenesis in living organisms, as well as their interactions through the consumption of food products; and is able to apply this knowledge at the molecular and cellular level to the cascade of events that begin with exposure to a toxic compound and culminate in the manifestation of toxic endpoints.

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course “BIOCHEMISTRY OF FOOD AND METABOLISM OF NUTRIENTS AND XENOBIOTICS”.

Upon completion of the Integrated Course unit, the student will be able to know the fundamental biochemical reactions of cellular metabolism, the biochemical constituents of food, the biochemical basis of nutrition, and the biochemical processes involving major xenobiotics. The student is able to understand the toxic effects of substances.

The course will cover the following topics in biochemical toxicology at the molecular level:

Module 1 (2 CFU – 16 hours), dott.ssa Fabiana Trombetti

• Mitochondrial dysfunction (5 hours);
• DNA damage and mutagenesis (4 hours);
• Reactive species and cellular defense mechanisms (4 hours);
• Toxins, pollutants, and heavy metals (3 hours).

Module 2 (1 CFU – 8 hours) – Prof. Salvatore Nesci

• Mechanisms of cell death (8 hours).

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/).

Teaching methods

The course includes theoretical lectures.

Assessment methods

The exam for this course is part of the exam for the Integrated Course "Food Biochemistry and Nutrient and Xenobiotic Metabolism." The grade obtained in the exam therefore contributes to the final grade for the "Food Biochemistry and Nutrient and Xenobiotic Metabolism" exam, which is obtained by combining the individual assessments for the three courses.

Particular attention is paid to the student's ability to reason transversally, connecting concepts from various parts of the course through the necessary logical-deductive connections, and to communicate using clear and appropriate language.

In assessing the oral exam, the instructor will use the following learning assessment scale:
- Barely adequate preparation on the topics discussed and analytical ability that emerges only with the instructor's assistance, using generally correct language → 18-22;
- Adequate preparation on the exam topics and independent analysis ability only on purely executive questions, using correct language → 23-26;
- Accurate preparation on the exam topics, ability to make independent critical analysis choices, mastery of specific terminology → 27-29;
- Very thorough preparation, ability to make independent critical analysis and connections, full command of specific terminology, and ability to argue and self-reflect → 30-30L.
The oral exam grade will be communicated at the end of the interview. A minimum score of 18/30 is required for passing the exam.
The exam is passed if all required tests are passed, and the final grade is the average of the grades achieved in the different parts of the exam, expressed out of 30, and communicated to the student on the day of the exam. A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required. A negative grade does not result in a grade, but only a judgment (withdrawn or rejected) recorded on the electronic transcript compiled on AlmaEsami. Therefore, it does not affect the student's academic career. Students may refuse their grade once by notifying the recording teacher via email within 5 working days.
The recording teacher for the Integrated Course is Prof. Salvatore Nesci.
Students can register for exam sessions through AlmaEsami (http://almaesami.unibo.it/). Exam sessions are offered within the timeframes listed in the academic calendar. Additional exam sessions are reserved for students who have not completed their exams.
Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations; resources such as in-depth study and assessment materials are available on Virtuale.

If students have difficulty understanding the material, the instructors are available to meet with them for a clarification meeting by making an appointment via email.

Office hours

See the website of Fabiana Trombetti

See the website of Salvatore Nesci