Pathology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
We will study causes and mechanisms of disease. To this end, we will examine the molecular, cellular and functional effects due to the occurrence of pathogenic events (such as genetic alterations, activation of cellular oncogenes). We will study cell damage, death, adaptation, and the systemic and local reaction to tissue damage, with an in depth analysis of the inflammatory reaction.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will acquire the knowledge tools to understand the fundamental causes of disease mechanisms, with dual focus on general aspects and on molecular mechanisms. She/he will learn the molecular, cellular and functional aspects at the basis of altered cellular states which lead to disease, including cancer.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
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
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Cellular and Molecular Aspects of Cell Damage:
· General concepts
· Cellular adaptations
· Tissue repair
· Apoptosis, necrosis, and other types of cell death
· Autophagy
· Senescence, cellular and organismal aging
· Telomere maintenance mechanisms
Acute and Chronic Inflammation and Related Diseases
Cancer:
· Introduction, tumor nomenclature and epidemiology
· Etiological factors, environment and heredity, genetic predisposition to cancer
· Cancer screening
· Oncogenes and tumor suppressors, properties of cancer cells
· Genetic heterogeneity of tumors, basics of genomics and transcriptomics, precision medicine
· Cancer stem cells and phenotypic plasticity
· Metastasis, angiogenesis, and the tumor microenvironment
· Tumor immunology and immunotherapy
Overview of Neurodegeneration
· General concepts
· Cellular adaptations
· Tissue repair
· Apoptosis, necrosis, and other types of cell death
· Autophagy
· Senescence, cellular and organismal aging
· Telomere maintenance mechanisms
Acute and Chronic Inflammation and Related Diseases
Cancer:
· Introduction, tumor nomenclature and epidemiology
· Etiological factors, environment and heredity, genetic predisposition to cancer
· Cancer screening
· Oncogenes and tumor suppressors, properties of cancer cells
· Genetic heterogeneity of tumors, basics of genomics and transcriptomics, precision medicine
· Cancer stem cells and phenotypic plasticity
· Metastasis, angiogenesis, and the tumor microenvironment
· Tumor immunology and immunotherapy
Overview of Neurodegeneration
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
Teacher's lessons supported by slides and open discussion.
Teaching Resources
Slides of the lessons will be made available on Ariel/MS Teams.
Suggested texts (not mandatory):
Chapters on cellular pathology from
· Robbins and Kumar, Basic Pathology (Elsevier 2023)
· Pontieri (Piccin) Vol. 1
· Moncharmont (Idelson) Vol. 1
Suggested texts (not mandatory):
Chapters on cellular pathology from
· Robbins and Kumar, Basic Pathology (Elsevier 2023)
· Pontieri (Piccin) Vol. 1
· Moncharmont (Idelson) Vol. 1
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exams consist of open questions on the course topics. Final mark will be given as score out of 30.
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Gandellini Paolo
Professor(s)
Reception:
to be agreed by e-mail
Dept. Biosciences, floor 7, tower B