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
The 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
| Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
|---|
One course among the followingOne course among the followingTwo courses among the followingThree courses among the following2° Year It will be activated in the A.Y. 2026/2027
| Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
|---|
| Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
|---|
One course among the followingOne course among the followingTwo courses among the followingThree courses among the following| Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
|---|
| Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
|---|
Two courses among:
- 2nd year - Molecular farming, Toxicology and applied pharmacology, Systems biology, Radioactivity and radiation protection - delivered in 2026/2027
- 1st and 2nd year - Biotechnology in neuroscience, Clinical proteomics - delivered in 2025/2026 and 2026/2027
A.A. 2025/2026: BIOTECHNOLOGY IN NEUROSCIENCE not available 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 (2025/2026)
Teaching code
4S003674
Teacher
Coordinator
Credits
6
Language
English
Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY
Period
1st semester dal Oct 1, 2025 al Jan 30, 2026.
Courses Single
Authorized
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
basic knowledge of biology and chemistry
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
Learning assessment procedures
Learning assessment includes a mid-course written exam and an oral exam at the end of the course. The written exam consists of a test that includes multiple-choice questions, open-ended questions, and exercises, and is designed to test the student's knowledge and ability to analyze the principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. The oral exam consists of an interview that tests the student's knowledge of drug classes and their receptors, the identification of new pharmacological targets, and the entire process leading to the development of new drugs. Students who do not attend classes will take a single oral exam that tests the entire program, following the criteria outlined above. The content of the textbooks and classroom lectures is consistent with the program, and additional teaching materials are available on the program's e-learning platform.
Evaluation criteria
The written exam assesses knowledge and analytical skills of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. The oral exam assesses language proficiency, the ability to systematically connect acquired knowledge, and analytical and argumentative skills.
Criteria for the composition of the final grade
Both the written and oral exams are graded out of 30. The final grade is the average of the two exams, expressed out of 30.
Exam language
inglese
