Ateneo - UPO

The course will focus on three main topics relevant to the field of Medical Biotechnology: i) a critical analysis of the hallmarks of aging and associated biomarkers that can be used for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic purposes, ii) molecular pathology of the primary solid, and iii) principles of pharmacogenetics.

Slides presented in class and other teaching material provided by the teacher (scientific articles discussed during class, and other in-depth material), online resources.

1) Allow students to learn the basics to understand the importance of molecular pathology to improve precision medicine in the oncological field; 2) Provide the basic knowledge on the molecular pathways involved in biological aging for the identification of molecular determinants predictive of healthy or unhealthy aging and biomarkers with predictive, diagnostic or therapeutic implications for age-related diseases; 3) provide knowledge on the utility of pharmacogenomics tests in the clinical setting

Students are required to have a general knowledge of cytology, histology, biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics and of the main techniques used in morphological and molecular investigations

During the lectures, introduction and presentation of the state of the art of the topics covered through PowerPoint presentations and collective discussion of scientific works. In-depth study of the topics covered by reading scientific articles and reviews

All the teaching material and information regarding the course will be available on Moodle Platform (DIR; https://www.dir. uniupo. it/)

The evaluation will consist of a written test that includes multiple choice questions and open questions that will allow to evaluate the learning on the topics covered during the course. The detailed program of the course and information relating to the final exam will be available on moodle DIR (https://www.dir.uniupo.it/)

refer to the individual modules

At the end of the course students will acquire a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying aging and their role in the pathogenesis of the most frequent diseases associated with aging. Students will be able to identify potential biomarkers of biological aging to translate into predictive, diagnostic, or therapeutic opportunities, both in a basic and translational research context, and in a healthcare setting.
The course will also allow to acquire knowledge about the mechanisms underlying the interindividual response to drugs in the context of autoimmune diseases and to recognize the importance of molecular pathology in improving precision medicine, molecular diagnosis, and targeted treatment in solid neoplasms.