Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
This course aims to provide students with an integrated understanding of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, highlighting their distinct biological mechanisms, epidemiological features, prevention strategies and health impacts.
The course is divided in two modules:
The "Non-Communicable Diseases" module offers an in-depth exploration of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, cancers, lung diseases and neurodegenerative conditions, emphasizing cellular and molecular mechanisms, public health strategies and biomedical approaches to prevention and treatment.
The "Communicable Diseases" part discusses human-microbe interactions, antimicrobial compounds, mechanisms of action and resistance, identifying novel conventional targets for antimicrobial discovery, and non-conventional targets for novel generation of antimicrobial compounds, challenges in novel antimicrobial compound discovery.
The course fosters critical reasoning, interdisciplinary analysis and the ability to contextualize disease patterns, while preparing students to engage with emerging challenges in biomedical research and pharmaceutical innovation.
The course is divided in two modules:
The "Non-Communicable Diseases" module offers an in-depth exploration of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, cancers, lung diseases and neurodegenerative conditions, emphasizing cellular and molecular mechanisms, public health strategies and biomedical approaches to prevention and treatment.
The "Communicable Diseases" part discusses human-microbe interactions, antimicrobial compounds, mechanisms of action and resistance, identifying novel conventional targets for antimicrobial discovery, and non-conventional targets for novel generation of antimicrobial compounds, challenges in novel antimicrobial compound discovery.
The course fosters critical reasoning, interdisciplinary analysis and the ability to contextualize disease patterns, while preparing students to engage with emerging challenges in biomedical research and pharmaceutical innovation.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Explain the pathophysiological and molecular aspects of major communicable and non-communicable diseases.
- Understand the biotechnological approaches used in diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
- Interpret disease-related data and evaluate biomedical interventions.
- Apply knowledge to assess therapeutic strategies and biotechnological innovations relevant to disease control.
- Critically assess the impact of diseases on healthcare systems, research priorities and pharmaceutical development.
- Compare communicable and non-communicable disease models, identifying common and distinct biological and epidemiological determinants.
- Participate in interdisciplinary discussions and effectively present biomedical and disease-related concepts to specialized or lay audience
- Independently expand their knowledge through critical reading of scientific literature
- Understand how genomic, molecular and biomarker-based approaches can support disease stratification and precision therapeutic interventions.
- Understand the problem of antimicrobial and antiviral drug resistance and current strategies to overcome it
- Understand the most recent technological advances in the antibiotic and antiviral drug discovery field as useful tools for future employment in pharma companies
- Explain the pathophysiological and molecular aspects of major communicable and non-communicable diseases.
- Understand the biotechnological approaches used in diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
- Interpret disease-related data and evaluate biomedical interventions.
- Apply knowledge to assess therapeutic strategies and biotechnological innovations relevant to disease control.
- Critically assess the impact of diseases on healthcare systems, research priorities and pharmaceutical development.
- Compare communicable and non-communicable disease models, identifying common and distinct biological and epidemiological determinants.
- Participate in interdisciplinary discussions and effectively present biomedical and disease-related concepts to specialized or lay audience
- Independently expand their knowledge through critical reading of scientific literature
- Understand how genomic, molecular and biomarker-based approaches can support disease stratification and precision therapeutic interventions.
- Understand the problem of antimicrobial and antiviral drug resistance and current strategies to overcome it
- Understand the most recent technological advances in the antibiotic and antiviral drug discovery field as useful tools for future employment in pharma companies
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
The course will be divided in two teaching units:
Teaching Unit 1: Non-Communicable Diseases (6CFU - 48h)
Prof.ssa Paola Luisa Cattaneo
The following topics will be discussed:
· Introduction to epidemiological burden, risk factors and pathogenesis of major Non Communicable diseases
· Chronic Inflammation
· Fibrosis and Regeneration and Remodeling
· Oxidative Stress and Angiogenesis
· Genetic Disorders
· Cardiovascular Diseases
· Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity
· Lung Diseases
· Cancer
· Neurodegenerative diseases
Teaching Unit 2: Communicable Diseases (2CFU - 16h)
Prof.ssa Alessandra Polissi and Prof. Raffaele De Francesco
The following topics will be discussed:
· Overview of selected bacterial pathogens and virulence mechanisms
· Antibiotics - mechanisms of antibiotic action - genetic determinants and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance
· Novel targets and strategies for antibacterial drug discovery
· The challenge of novel anti-infectives discovery: the perspective of a pharmaceutical company
· What is a virus? Introduction to the virosphere and to acute or chronic viral diseases
· Introduction to antiviral drugs and drug resistance.
· Selected case studies in anti-viral drug discovery
Teaching Unit 1: Non-Communicable Diseases (6CFU - 48h)
Prof.ssa Paola Luisa Cattaneo
The following topics will be discussed:
· Introduction to epidemiological burden, risk factors and pathogenesis of major Non Communicable diseases
· Chronic Inflammation
· Fibrosis and Regeneration and Remodeling
· Oxidative Stress and Angiogenesis
· Genetic Disorders
· Cardiovascular Diseases
· Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity
· Lung Diseases
· Cancer
· Neurodegenerative diseases
Teaching Unit 2: Communicable Diseases (2CFU - 16h)
Prof.ssa Alessandra Polissi and Prof. Raffaele De Francesco
The following topics will be discussed:
· Overview of selected bacterial pathogens and virulence mechanisms
· Antibiotics - mechanisms of antibiotic action - genetic determinants and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance
· Novel targets and strategies for antibacterial drug discovery
· The challenge of novel anti-infectives discovery: the perspective of a pharmaceutical company
· What is a virus? Introduction to the virosphere and to acute or chronic viral diseases
· Introduction to antiviral drugs and drug resistance.
· Selected case studies in anti-viral drug discovery
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of Cellular Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Immunology and Microbiology
Teaching methods
The course is composed of two teaching units: 1. "Non-Communicable Diseases" (6 CFU, 48 hours) and 2. "Communicable Diseases" (2 CFU, 16 hours). Both teaching units consist of lectures given by the Teachers and occasional seminars by external experts on particular topics.
With regard to the teaching unit "Non-Communicable Diseases", the lectures will be organized as follows:
- 16 hours through asynchronous online learning
- 32 hours will be delivered synchronous though online or in-person methods.
With regard to the teaching unit "Communicable Diseases", the lecture will be organized as follows:
- 4 hours through asynchronous online learning
- 12 hours will be delivered synchronous though online or in-person methods.
For the Non-Communicable Disease teaching unit, teaching activities will include case-based learning sessions and discussion of selected scientific papers, asynchronous lectures will include seminars delivered by experts in the field, providing real-world examples of the application of the theoretical concepts discussed, as well as their practical use and application in professional and research settings.
For Communicable Diseases teaching unit, teaching activities will include case-based learning sessions focused on antimicrobial resistance, viral diseases and drug development. Students will critically discuss selected scientific papers and real-world examples of anti-infective discovery and development. Short asynchronous multimedia materials will be used to introduce key concepts and stimulate active participation during synchronous lectures.
Overall, the asynchronous online lectures will be scheduled on a regular and alternating basis with respect to the in-person teaching activities. The asynchronous format will allow students to access the course materials at a time that best suits their individual schedules. This approach will provide greater flexibility in time management and support a more effective and personalized learning experience.
Powerpoint presentations or short videos are usually used and are provided to the students on the Ariel site of the course.
Attendance is strongly recommended, especially to foster discussion-based sessions.
With regard to the teaching unit "Non-Communicable Diseases", the lectures will be organized as follows:
- 16 hours through asynchronous online learning
- 32 hours will be delivered synchronous though online or in-person methods.
With regard to the teaching unit "Communicable Diseases", the lecture will be organized as follows:
- 4 hours through asynchronous online learning
- 12 hours will be delivered synchronous though online or in-person methods.
For the Non-Communicable Disease teaching unit, teaching activities will include case-based learning sessions and discussion of selected scientific papers, asynchronous lectures will include seminars delivered by experts in the field, providing real-world examples of the application of the theoretical concepts discussed, as well as their practical use and application in professional and research settings.
For Communicable Diseases teaching unit, teaching activities will include case-based learning sessions focused on antimicrobial resistance, viral diseases and drug development. Students will critically discuss selected scientific papers and real-world examples of anti-infective discovery and development. Short asynchronous multimedia materials will be used to introduce key concepts and stimulate active participation during synchronous lectures.
Overall, the asynchronous online lectures will be scheduled on a regular and alternating basis with respect to the in-person teaching activities. The asynchronous format will allow students to access the course materials at a time that best suits their individual schedules. This approach will provide greater flexibility in time management and support a more effective and personalized learning experience.
Powerpoint presentations or short videos are usually used and are provided to the students on the Ariel site of the course.
Attendance is strongly recommended, especially to foster discussion-based sessions.
Teaching Resources
Reference Books:
Robbins & Cotran "Pathologic Basis of Disease"
"Bacterial pathogenesis - A molecular approach" ASM Press. 2022 The book in electronic format will be available on Ariel website
ViralZone WEB site: https://viralzone.expasy.org/
The iconographic materials shown during the lessons with bibliographic references will be available on the Ariel portal.
Robbins & Cotran "Pathologic Basis of Disease"
"Bacterial pathogenesis - A molecular approach" ASM Press. 2022 The book in electronic format will be available on Ariel website
ViralZone WEB site: https://viralzone.expasy.org/
The iconographic materials shown during the lessons with bibliographic references will be available on the Ariel portal.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The students' learning outcomes will be evaluated by a written examination of the fundamental concepts of the subject based on the topics addressed during the course. The final grade will be the weighted average of the grades obtained in the two modules based on the credits assigned to each teaching unit: (75% Non-Communicable Diseases/25% Communicable Diseases). Positive marks range from 18 to 30 (e.g., 18/30 (the lowest mark) or 30/ 30 cum laude (the highest mark)).
BIOS-15/A - Microbiology - University credits: 2
MEDS-02/A - Experimental Medicine and Pathophysiology - University credits: 6
MEDS-02/A - Experimental Medicine and Pathophysiology - University credits: 6
Lessons: 64 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
by appointment to be arranged by e-mail
Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milano or via Carlo Parea 4, 20138 Milano
Reception:
Upon request
Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences - Via Balzaretti 9 - Milano