Learning objectives
The course deals with the development experimental skills in pharmacology. In addition to a wide range of in-vitro experiments and lessons of drug action, the course includes computer-aid sessions to analyse the experimental data obtained in research laboratory
Prerequisites
To take the examination, FARMACOLOGIA e FARMACOTERAPIA examination needs to be passed
Course unit content
Purpose and principles of experimental pharmacology
Methods for qualitative/quantitative analysis of biological responses: experimental design, technique, binding study, clinical trials.
Elements of molecular pharmacology: use of the Law of Mass Action to quantify the interaction of drugs and receptors, agonists and antagonists and the concept of potency/efficacy.
Receptor theory, stimulus-response coupling, desensitization
Pharmacokinetics: route of administration and changes of the concentrations of drugs in the body
Biological assay: International Units
Evaluation of toxicity and safety of drugs
Experimental models for the study of: drugs active on Central Nervous System, Peripheral Nervous System, respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular systems, pain and inflammation
Transgenic animal models
Cell cultures and molecular biology techniques (Western blot, PCR)
Theoretical and practical approach to the calculation of results, statistical analysis and curve-fitting: biological variability, frequency distribution curves, probits, confidence intervals, parametric (t-test, ANOVA) and non parametric comparisons, linear correlation
Full programme
The course is organized in frontal and practical lessons- The main topics are:
Purpose and principles of experimental pharmacology
Methods for qualitative/quantitative analysis of biological responses: experimental design, technique, binding study, clinical trials.
Elements of molecular pharmacology: use of the Law of Mass Action to quantify the interaction of drugs and receptors, agonists and antagonists and the concept of potency/efficacy.
Receptor theory, stimulus-response coupling, desensitization
Pharmacokinetics: route of administration and changes of the concentrations of drugs in the body
Biological assay: International Units
Evaluation of toxicity and safety of drugs
Experimental models for the study of: drugs active on Central Nervous System, Peripheral Nervous System, respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular systems, pain and inflammation
Transgenic animal models
Cell cultures and molecular biology techniques (Western blot, PCR)
Theoretical and practical approach to the calculation of results, statistical analysis and curve-fitting: biological variability, frequency distribution curves, probits, confidence intervals, parametric (t-test, ANOVA) and non parametric comparisons, linear correlation
Bibliography
GOODMAN & GILMAN S. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics McGraw-Hill
DOLARA P, FRANCONI E, MUGELLI A: Farmacologia e Tossicologia Sperimentale Pitagora Editrice, Bologna.
PAOLETTI R et al: Farmacologia generale e molecolare UTET
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons, practical lessons and computer simulations
Assessment methods and criteria
oral examination
Other information
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