Molecular Pharmacology and Immunology

A.Y. 2021/2022
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
BIO/14 MED/04
Language
English
Learning objectives
The aim of course is to provide an exhaustive background knowledge of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of actions of drugs, and to provide information on the pharmacological modulation of cellular responses, the molecular aspects of receptors, modulation of intracellular signaling and gene expression. Drugs are considered not only for their therapeutic functions but also as tools to investigate biological phenomena. Immunology is a rapid growing field of research in medicine and attracts a lot of attention for its contribution in various diseases such as infection diseases, cancer and auto-immunity. This is an advanced course in the field of immunology, and will go in-depth, at a molecular level.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will have built a strong background in the most recent advances in the fields of pharmacology and immunology. In particular, after the corse the student:
- will know the molecular mechanisms of several class of drugs and the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of the immune system in the contexts discussed within the course;
- will be able to apply the acquired principles in order to choose drugs as appropriate tools to explore and study intracellular signaling;
- will know and be able to apply the experimental methodologies to study pharmacological activities and molecular immunology in a research laboratory;
- will be able to apply the acquired principles in order to understand the experimental procedures described in scientific articles and to interpret them critically;
- will know the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of the immune system in the contexts discussed within the course;
- will be able to apply the acquired principles in order to understand the experimental procedures described in scientific articles and to interpret them critically;
- will know and be able to apply the experimental methodologies to study molecular immunology in a research laboratory.
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Lesson period
First semester
More specific information on the delivery mode of training activities fro academic year 2021/2022 will be provided over the coming months based on the evolution of the public health situation
Course syllabus
Students will encounter the following topics in the pharmacology and immunology fields:
Molecular Pharmacology and molecular immunology
Pharmacogenetics
The pharmacology of signal transduction.
Kinase inhibitors as antitumor drugs.
Monoclonal antibodies and soluble receptors as drugs
Transporters as drug targets
The pharmacology of post translational modifications
Immunosuppressants and immunostimulants
The endocannabinoid system
Excitatory amino acids and excitotoxicity
The physiopathology of pain and analgesics
G protein receptor regulation
Chemotherapy of microbial diseases and drug resistance
Chemotherapy of neoplastic diseases
Vaccinations
Allergic diseases
Autoimmune diseases
Microbiota and the immune system
Cancer Immunotherapy
Immunodeficiencies (AIDS and Kaposi sarcoma).
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of anatomy and human physiology.
Teaching methods
PHARMACOLOGY: Power point lessons
IMMUNOLOGY:Power point presentations with audio or lessons, article prepared and presented with the students.
Teaching Resources
Cellular and Molecular Immunology (AK Abbas e AH Lichtman, Elsevier, 2017
Basic and clinical pharmacology (Katzung, Piccin).
Scientific papers and articles cited during the courses will be made available through the course Ariel website.
Assessment methods and Criteria
PHARMACOLOGY: In presence the exam will be written on the program explained during the course .
In remote learning, the exam will be oral on TEAMS platform. The exam will check the knowledge of the different topics, the ability of the student to make connections and to use an adequate scientific language.

IMMUNOLOGY:
In remote learning the exams will be oral on the program explained during the course on TEAMS platform.
In presence, the exam may be written.
. The exam will check the knowledge of the different topics, the ability of the student to make connections and to use an adequate scientific language. Preparation and idscussion of articles by the students during the course will also be considered as part of the evaluation.

The final mark will be the average of pharmacology and Immunology marks.
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday, 14.30-16.30; Thursday, 14.30-15.30
via Vanvitelli 32