Molecular and Cellular Bases of Metabolic and Nutritional Diseases

A.Y. 2024/2025
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
BIO/09 MED/04
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide the bases for the understanding of metabolic and nutrition disorders by discussing the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind such human diseases. By the end of the course, students will have an overview of the correlations that exist between molecular/cellular disfunctions and the macroscopic phenotype of the disease. Moreover, students will be able to critically evaluate and discuss the latest scientific literature focused on metabolic and nutrition disorders.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students should have acquired a comprehensive view of the interrelations between molecular and cellular malfunctions and the macroscopic phenotype of the disease. Moreover, students must have acquired the ability to understand, interpret, critically evaluate, and discuss the scientific literature in the field of metabolic and nutrition disorders
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Adverse reaction to Foods: food allergy, coeliac disease, food intolerance, and toxic reaction.
Malabsorption Syndromes.
Nutritional disorders: malnutrition (undernutrition and overnutrition).
Metabolic alterations: metabolic syndrome.
Gastrointestinal pathologies: irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis.
Metabolic and nutritional disorders and cardiovascular pathology: atherosclerosis and hypertension.
Metabolic and nutritional disorders and liver pathology: cirrhosis, steatosis.
Metabolic and nutritional disorders and kidney pathology: chronic kidney disease.
Metabolic and nutritional disorders: cancer cachexia
Prerequisites for admission
Students must know basic concepts of general physiology and biochemistry
Teaching methods
Teaching will be based on interactive frontal lectures supported by projected slides. Students will be actively involved into discussions to elaborate the topics covered during the lectures with a critical point of view, in order to improve their independent thinking and communication skills.
Attendance to the course is strongly recommended
Teaching Resources
The course is entirely based on bibliographic material. Lecture slides, scientific research articles and reviews regarding each lecture topics (uploaded on ARIEL)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam consists of:
a) Oral presentation and discussion of of scientific article in front of their classmates (max 3/30)
b) a written essay composed of 2 open questions on the topics covered during the course(max 27/30)
The final mark will be the sum of the written essay and the article presentation/discussion.
The evaluation takes into account the ability of the student to handle the topics covered by the course and to use proper scientific communication skills.
The exam result will be communicated by e-mail.
BIO/09 - PHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 3
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
upon appointment (e-mail)
via G. Geloria 26, Milano 6th floor Tower A
Reception:
on request, via email
via G. Celoria, 26 20133 Milano, B tower, 6th floor