Communicable and non-communicable diseases
A.A. 2025/2026
Obiettivi formativi
The objective of the course is to provide a specific knowledge and a critical evaluation on the pathological bases for precision medicine interventions. The overall learning objective is thus to provide an updated discussion of selected topics on precision medicine, which is notoriously a present and future important biomedical approach and includes relevant biotechnological aspects. The course includes two modules: Pathological bases for precision medicine interventions and Infectious diseases and drug resistance. In the first module, the following topics will be discussed: general principles of precision medicine, molecular determinants of individual health, precision medicine in oncology (molecular determinants, examples of precision medicine in oncology), precision medicine in cardiovascular and metabolic health, machine learning and artificial intelligence for precision medicine. In the second module, the following topics will be discussed: overview of human-microbe interactions, antimicrobial compounds: mechanism 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.
Risultati apprendimento attesi
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 disease models and prevention strategies.
- 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 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 disease models and prevention strategies.
- 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 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
Periodo: Primo semestre
Modalità di valutazione: Esame
Giudizio di valutazione: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Corso singolo
Questo insegnamento non può essere seguito come corso singolo. Puoi trovare gli insegnamenti disponibili consultando il catalogo corsi singoli.
Programma e organizzazione didattica
Edizione unica
Responsabile
Periodo
Primo semestre
Programma
The course will be divided in two Teaching Units:
Teaching Unit: Non-Communicable Diseases (6CFU - 48h)
Topics discussed in classes:
- 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
- Lung Diseases
- Cancer
- Neurodegenerative diseases
Teaching Unit: Infectious Diseases and Drug Resistance (2CFU - 16h)
Topics discussed in classes
1. Overview of selected bacterial pathogens and virulence mechanisms
2. Antibiotics - mechanisms of antibiotic action - genetic determinants and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance
3. Novel targets for the development of novel antibacterials
4. The challenge of novel anti-infectives discovery: the perspective of a pharmaceutical company
5. What is a virus? Introduction to the virosphere and to viral acute or chronic diseases
6. Introduction to antiviral drugs and drug resistance. Herpes virus infections and latency. Anti-herpes drugs. Chronic viral hepatitis. Hepatitis B and C. Anti-HBV and anti-HCV drugs.
7. Replication of retroviruses and HIV. Pathogenesis of AIDS and antiretroviral drugs
8. Acute respiratory infections. Influenza virus and anti-influenza drugs. Coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 therapeutics.
Teaching Unit: Non-Communicable Diseases (6CFU - 48h)
Topics discussed in classes:
- 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
- Lung Diseases
- Cancer
- Neurodegenerative diseases
Teaching Unit: Infectious Diseases and Drug Resistance (2CFU - 16h)
Topics discussed in classes
1. Overview of selected bacterial pathogens and virulence mechanisms
2. Antibiotics - mechanisms of antibiotic action - genetic determinants and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance
3. Novel targets for the development of novel antibacterials
4. The challenge of novel anti-infectives discovery: the perspective of a pharmaceutical company
5. What is a virus? Introduction to the virosphere and to viral acute or chronic diseases
6. Introduction to antiviral drugs and drug resistance. Herpes virus infections and latency. Anti-herpes drugs. Chronic viral hepatitis. Hepatitis B and C. Anti-HBV and anti-HCV drugs.
7. Replication of retroviruses and HIV. Pathogenesis of AIDS and antiretroviral drugs
8. Acute respiratory infections. Influenza virus and anti-influenza drugs. Coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 therapeutics.
Prerequisiti
Basic knowledge of Cellular Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Immunology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Metodi didattici
Lectures (in presence and/or online) and occasional seminars by external expert on particular topics.
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.
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.
Materiale di riferimento
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.
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
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 Teaching units based on the credits assigned to each teaching unit: (75% Non-Communicable Diseases/25% Infectious Diseases and Drug Resistance). Positive marks range from 18 to 30 (e.g., 18/30 (the lowest mark) or 30/ 30 cum laude (the highest mark)).
BIO/19 - MICROBIOLOGIA - CFU: 2
MED/04 - PATOLOGIA GENERALE - CFU: 6
MED/04 - PATOLOGIA GENERALE - CFU: 6
Lezioni: 64 ore
Docente/i
Ricevimento:
Su appuntamento
INGM, via Francesco Sforza 35 o DiSFeB, via Balzaretti 9, Milano
Ricevimento:
su appuntamento
Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari - Via Balzaretti 9 - Milano