Studying at the University of Verona
Here you can find information on the organisational aspects of the Programme, lecture timetables, learning activities and useful contact details for your time at the University, from enrolment to graduation.
Study Plan
This information is intended exclusively for students already enrolled in this course.If you are a new student interested in enrolling, you can find information about the course of study on the course page:
Laurea magistrale in Molecular and Medical Biotechnology - Enrollment from 2025/2026The Study Plan includes all modules, teaching and learning activities that each student will need to undertake during their time at the University.
Please select your Study Plan based on your enrollment year.
1° Year
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Two courses among the followingThree courses among the followingOne course among the followingOne course among the following2° Year activated in the A.Y. 2023/2024
| Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
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| Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
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Two courses among the followingThree courses among the followingOne course among the followingOne course among the following| Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
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| Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
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2 courses among the following ("BIOTECHNOLOGY IN NEUROSCIENCE" 1ST YEAR; "CLINICAL PROTEOMICS" 1ST and2ND YEAR; the other courses 2nd year only)Legend | Type of training activity (TTA)
TAF (Type of Educational Activity) All courses and activities are classified into different types of educational activities, indicated by a letter.
Molecular Pharmacology (2022/2023)
Teaching code
4S003674
Teacher
Coordinator
Credits
6
Language
English
Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY
Period
Semester 1 dal Oct 3, 2022 al Jan 27, 2023.
Learning objectives
The objectives of the course are : How the drugs produce their effects How the body and the cells respond to the drugs How to develop a new drug Examples of new biotech drug generations
Prerequisites and basic notions
To take the exam you must have studied the entire program and preferably attended the course with workshops and group work
Program
PHARMACOKINETCS
General principles of drug delivery
Absorption: kinetics, routes, advantages and disadvantages
Distribution: concept of Vd, distribution equilibrium kinetics, barriers
Elimination: elimination pathways and kinetics; concepts of clearance and half-life
Control of the plasma concentration of drugs: operating models
Dosage corrections: variables to consider
DRUG-RECEPTOR INTERACTIONS
Quantitative and qualitative aspects of the drug-receptor interaction
Characteristics and kinetics of interaction
Quantitative aspects of drug-receptor interaction and analysis of binding curves
Concepts of affinity-powers and effectiveness
Relations between employment and receptor response
Overview of the methods used to quantify the link, the type of interaction and the answers
Concept and forms of competition between drugs
Evaluation of the effects of drugs
DRUG METABOLISM
Generality and organization
CYPs
Metabolic pharmacogenetics
Metabolic interactions between drugs and food
DRUG DEVELOPMENT
Industrial strategies
Preclinical research: goals, objectives, limits and rules
Clinical research: Setting and conducting clinical studies, terminology
Types of clinical trials
Critical procedures and aspects of a clinical trial
RECEPTORS
Ligand gated-CHANNEL
Structural classification and methods of study
Molecular characteristics of the different classes
The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor: structure, functions and pharmacology
The GABAA receptor: structure, functions and pharmacology
Glutamate receptors: classification, functions
RECEPTORS COUPLED WITH PROTEIN G
Classification
Molecular and activation characteristics
G (trimeriche) proteins: classification, functions, activation and pharmacology
effectors
The nucleotide messengers: synthesis, degradation, effects and pharmacology
Inositol: liberation, metabolism, effects and pharmacology
The calcium ion:
Sympathetic system: organization and function; direct and indirect catecholaminergic agonists; beta receptor antagonists (beta-blockers)
Muscarinic system: agonists and antagonists
Nitric oxide
Synthesis, functions and signal transduction
Pharmacology of nitrioxide
Organic nitrogen derivatives: mechanism of action and fields of use
RECEPTORS FOR GROWTH FACTORS
Classification and molecular structure
activation mechanisms and signal transduction
MAPK: types, functions and biochemical cascades
IONIC CHANNELS
Classification, function and structure
Examples of active drugs on voltage-gated ion channels: mechanism of action, effects and fields of use
INTRACELLULAR RECEPTORS
Classification and agonists
Molecular structure and function
Signal transduction
Pharmacology and effects of glucocorticoids
ACTIVE DRUGS ON MICRO-ORGANISMS
Classification and mechanism of action of: antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal
Resistance mechanisms
PHARMACOLOGY OF INFLAMMATION
The inflammatory response
Metabolism of eicosanoids
Receptors and functions
NSAIDs: mechanisms of action, classifications, main therapeutic and toxic effects
PHARMACOLOGICAL TARGET
In vitro (cell cultures)
transgenesis
CELLULAR THERAPY
Definition and classification of stem cells
Drugs based on the use of stem cells
Examples of therapies based on the use of stem cells for brain diseases
BIOLOGICAL / BIOTECHNOLOGICAL DRUGS
Main differences between traditional drugs and biological drugs
Production of biological / biotechnological drugs
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES and MOLECULAR TARGET ANTI-CANCER DRUGS
Molecular structure of antibodies
Effector functions of antibodies
Characteristics of the antigen-antibody binding
Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies
RECOMBINANT VACCINES
Mechanism of action of vaccines
Classes of recombinant vaccines
GENIC THERAPY
Definition
Gene transfer
in vivo and ex-vivo
Viral and non-viral vectors
Examples of gene therapy for the treatment of genetic diseases
LABORATORIES: Cell cultures and confocal microscopy
Bibliography
Didactic methods
in presence /it will be available the recordings of the lessons of the past years
Learning assessment procedures
The assessment of learning includes a written exam in the middle course and an oral exam at the end of the course
The written test consists of a test that includes multiple choice questions, open questions and exercises and aims to verify the knowledge and the ability to analyze the principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
The oral exam consists of an interview that verifies the knowledge acquired on the classes of drugs and their receptors, the identification of new pharmacological targets and the whole process that leads to the development of new drugs. It evaluates the property of language, the ability to connect in a systemic way the acquired knowledge and the analytical and argumentative capacity.
The evaluation of both the written test and the oral test is expressed with a mark out of thirty.
The final grade is the average of the marks obtained in the two tests expressed in thirtieths.
For non-attending students there is a single oral exam which verifies the entire program carried out, according to the criteria above.
The content of the textbooks and lessons held in the classroom is part of the program and further teaching material is available on the e-learning platform.
Evaluation criteria
In the written test the knowledge and the ability to analyze the principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics will be evaluated. During oral examination I will evaluate the property of language, the ability to systemically link the acquired knowledge and the analytical and argumentative capacity.
Criteria for the composition of the final grade
The evaluation of both the written and the oral tests is expressed with a mark out of thirty. The final grade is the average of the marks obtained in the two tests expressed out of thirty.
Exam language
english
