Pharmacogenetics and Epigenetics in Toxicology

A.Y. 2024/2025
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
BIO/14
Language
English
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the basic knowledge to understand the genetic basis of the differences in metabolic processes that influence individual responses to xenobiotic.
Furthermore, it will set the theoretical basis for understanding how these individual responses might be influenced by the epigenoma.
The concepts of genetic and epigenetic mutations will be developed to understand how these mutations contribute to the inter-individual susceptibility to xenobiotic. The course will also provides the principles of pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics with the goal to show when and how the genetic factors, defined at different levels from chromosomes to single nucleotide, plays a role in the variability of Mendelian and complex diseases, and in the variability of drug-response.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will know the basics of the genetic and epigenetic processes that regulate the physiological mechanisms in living organisms and how xenobiotics are able to interfere with these processes by altering the cellular phenotype; students will also be provided with the basics of the main methods and laboratory techniques useful for evaluating genetic and epigenetic modifications. At the end of the course the student will have acquired the necessary knowledge to evaluate the complexity of the interaction between xenobiotics and higher organisms as a result of processes, interconnected with each other, that occur at the molecular, genetic and epigenetic level. Students will also be able to critically review the scientific literature devoted to the genetic and epigenetic aspects of the exposure of organisms above xenobiotics.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
- The genetic: historical perspectives and general concepts
- The organization and control of eukariotic genome
- Basic principles of epigenetic biology
- Epigenetic, genetic and environment in CVD and CNS diseases
- The basis of "personalized medecine"
- Pharmacological modulation of epigenetics
- Aging and epigenetic clocks
- Genetic polymorphism in xenobiotic metabolism
- Microbiota and metabolism of xenobiotics
- Gene and Environment Interaction
- Environmental epigenetics- part 1
- Environmental epigenetics- part 2
- Pharmaco/toxico-genetics and Pharmaco/toxico-genomics
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is required except the rudiments of toxicology and cell biology learned in training activities in the same course of study.
Teaching methods
The course is divided into a series of front lessons with slide projection in Power Point. The lectures slides are loaded on the Ariel website. In addition to the teacher of reference, interventions of experts on specific topics will be also possible.
Teaching Resources
Articles and reviews on the topics covered in the course will be made available from the Ariel website.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final assessment of the knowledge learned and the skills developed during the course takes place through the final exam which consists of an interview. The exam is considered passed if the student has achieved a minimum score of 18 points in the written test.
The booking on the UNIMIA portal, within the dates established for each appeal, is mandatory for the examination
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lectures: 48 hours
Professor: Sironi Luigi
Professor(s)