Ateneo - UPO

The main contents of the course are the description of biological and molecular mechanisms, and of the role of biotechnologies in the diagnostic-therapeutic phase of the main endocrinological and metabolic diseases. Emerging biotechnological aspects of innovative drugs used in endocrinology and metabolism will also be described.

Greenspan's Basic and Clinical Endocrinology, Tenth Edition, by David Gardner and Dolores Shoback. McGraw-Hill Education, 2017. Teacher's slides and any emerging study worth of evidence.

The module aims to prepare students for the aspects of biotechnology in the management and treatment of the most important endocrine-metabolic diseases commonly found in clinical practice. Basic and clinical aspects covering etiological, diagnostic and therapeutic notions of these pathologies will be provided, emphasizing for each the role of biotechnologies.

Fundamental knowledge in the areas of Anatomy, Physiology and General Pathology preliminary to learning Endocrinology.

Power-point presentations. Scientific articles from peer-reviewed journals.

If needed, in-depth sessions preparatory to the exam will be offered, to be agreed directly with the lecturer. Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services- students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects. Gender mainstreaming: approaches to grant equal benefits in actions and activities for women and mens and for eliminating gender inequalities.

In order to evaluate the learning and understanding of the different topics of the subject, as well as to assess the learning skills, the independent judgment abilities, and communication skills, the test will consist of a written test containing three open questions spanning the subject and the study program. Each question will require a congruent response of 5-10 written lines. The teacher's judgment will be based on the accuracy of the answers offered in relation to the course of study, and on the ability to express the concepts learned in a reasonably understandable way.

General mechanisms of the endocrine system. Role of biotechnology for the classification, characterization, understanding and treatment of endocrine diseases. Molecular and genetic mechanisms of hypothalamic-pituitary pathologies and neuroendocrine tumors as a model of the use of biotechnologies in single and combination pharmacological targeting. Endocrine disruptors. Diseases of thyroid function, sporadic and hereditary thyroid tumors, characterization of the molecular targets of therapy. Adrenal pathophysiology, diseases of the adrenal cortex and medulla, genetic implications. Polygenic basis of metabolic diseases) obesity and diabetes), target central and peripheral endocrine-metabolic diseases. Gonadal dysfunction, hypogonadism, polycystic ovary syndrome.

By the course end, the student shall be able to describe the molecular basis of endocrine pathophysiology and of the most common endocrine-metabolic diseases involved in the biotech context. The aim is to increase biotechnological skills in diagnostic methodologies and therapeutic innovations for the most relevant endocrine-metabolic diseases.