93769 - Applied Pharmacology and Toxicology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student acquires the main scientific knowledge relating to the study of drugs both at a pharmacological and toxicological level; - knows the pharmacological and toxicological methods for the evaluation of drugs at a preclinical experimental level - acquires knowledge on the applicability of the disciplines in question, moving from theory to practice, then touching the main strategies for studying the pharmacological and toxic effects of molecules; - after a theoretical part, the student has the opportunity to carry out some practical experiences in a biological laboratory with the use of specific pharmacological and toxicological protocols

Course contents

Module 1 Applied Pharmacology Prof. Patrizia Romualdi (2 CFU) 

Frontal Lessons (1 CFU) : Use of in vitro and in vivo models for the study of drugs. Molecular biology methods applied to pharmacology; 3R-Rules for animal use; cell cultures, methods for the identification of proteins; Quantitation of nucleic acid methods, Drug effects on biological parameters; experimental protocols preparation; organization of a laboratory of experimental pharmacology for basic

Laboratory Training (1CFU) – Use of a cell culture in adhesion: maintenance and use. Protein extraction from cultured cells and quantification by BCA assay. Extraction of nucleic acid from cells, quantitative and qualitative analysis of nucleic acid by agarose gel electrophoresis and spectrophotometry. Retrotranscription from RNA into cDNA. Assessment of mRNA levels in neuronal cells of genes of interest by Real time-PCR. Analysis of experimental results.

Module 2 Applied Toxicology Prof. Fabiana Morroni (2 CFU)

Frontal Lessons (1 CFU): The Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) in testing chemicals. Animal testing. Alternative methods to animal testing. Organization of a Toxicology laboratory. Test systems.

 Cytotoxicity. Short-term toxicology. Long-term toxicology. Genetic toxicology. Reproduction toxicity studies.

Laboratory Training (1CFU) - Cell culture: maintenance and use. Cell count and analysis of cell viability. Treatment with a test substance. Assessment of cell proliferation. Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of a xenobiotic. Learning to keep a good laboratory notebook.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Material provided by the Teachers

OECD guidelines

Teaching methods

The course is planned in 8 hours of frontal lessons and 15 hours of experimental laboratory training  for each module.

Assessment methods

The exam will consist in an oral test aimed to assess the knowledge and comprehension of the students about the topics investigated during the course, and discussion on practical experiences carried out during the laboratory training. The Teachers will participate  together to the Commitee.  

Teaching tools

PPT provided from the Teacher for the oral lessons and experimental protocols for the laboratory training.

Office hours

See the website of Patrizia Romualdi

See the website of Fabiana Morroni