Molecular and Cellular Basis of Diseases

The aim of the course is to introduce the student to the complexity of pathologic processes. Based on recent scientific publications, molecular and cellular bases of disease will be presented. The student will learn how different etiologic agents activate reactive cellular responses, ultimately leading to alterations of tissue homeostasis. The clinical implications of basic research will be highlighted through the critical reading and discussion of recent scientific literature. In addition, students will be involved in the research activity of the laboratory of General Pathology.

Through the understanding of the clinical implications of basic research, the student will be able to understand the complexity of the pathogenic mechanisms leading to disease and face the challenges of clinical disciplines. Importantly, being used to read and comment the recent scientific literature, the student will learn to utilize an appropriate language and be self-sufficient in keeping updated about advances in preclinical and clinical sciences. The participation to the activities of a biomedical laboratory will be pivotal in learning the scientific bases driving to clinical decisions and, eventually, in raising an interest for a future career in science.