The aim of the course is to provide knowledge about routes of administration, metabolism, distribution, and elimination of biotechnological and synthetic drugs as well as the basic concepts of their therapeutic and the related toxic effects.

Definition of drug (biotechnological and syntetic), medicine and poison.
Pharmacokinetics of biotechnological and synthetic drugs: Physicochemical factors in transfer of drugs across membranes, absorption, bioavailability, and routes of administration. Distribution of drugs. Biotransformation of drugs. Excretion of drugs.
Pharmacodynamics of biotechnological and synthetic drugs: Mechanisms of drug action, factors that modify the action of biotechnological and synthetic drugs (age, pathological states, drug interactions, tolerance) and the related toxic effects.

At the end of the course the student possesses the basic knowledge of the mechanisms regulating the kinetics of biotechnological and synthetic drug in the body as well as interactions with the biological targets responsible for its activity. In particular, the student: - knows the essential elements of pharmacokinetics, - understands the basics of biotransformation, - knows how to interact with biological targets.

The topics discussed will then provide the student with basic knowledge of the relationships between biotechnological and synthetic drugs and molecular mechanisms of cellular metabolism. In addition, the major issues related to possible interactions between drugs.

Knowledge and understanding. At the end of the course, the student will have the skills to understand of the concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and the notions relating to the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of biotechnological and synthetic drugs.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. At the end of the course, the student must be able to understand how the therapeutic response of biotechnological and synthetic drugs is conditioned by their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics characteristics.

Judgment. At the end of the course, the student must be able to analyse and then predict therapeutic alternatives based on the pharmacokinetics pharmacodynamics parameters of biotechnological and synthetic drugs.

Communication skills. At the end of the course, the student must demonstrate that he/she is able to expose the notions referred in section knowledge and understanding through a scientific and critical lexicon.

Learning skills. At the end of the course, the student must demonstrate that he is able to independently know and learn the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of biotechnological and synthetic drugs that modulate the different pharmacological responses. Furthermore, will be able to build up his scientific knowledge in a critical way, using not only the study material provided by the professor but also dedicating himself to in-depth studies.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

No teaching support activities are planned

Teaching

Frontal lessons (MS Power Point).

Innovative teaching methods

Flipped classroom. Some lessons will involve the distribution of pdf of scientific articles in english that students will have to
read before the lesson.

Attendance

Knowledge regarding biological subjects (anatomy, biochemistry and general physiology)..

Course books

The PowerPoint presentations presented during the lessons will be uploaded to the Blended website to allow students to be updated on the arguments analyzed during the lessons.

Recommended texts:

Farmaci biotecnologici - Aspetti farmacologici e clinici.  (Vegeto - Maggi - Minghetti). Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

Reference text:

Goodman and Gilman - Le basi farmacologiche della terapia (tredicesima edizione).

Assessment

The course is examined through oral examination with questions to evaluate the students' knowledge about the mechanisms of basic principles of pharmacology;  address the issues related to potential interactions between drugs, dietary supplements and food. The final mark (out of 30) will be based on the skill of the students to answer properly to the questions.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Non-attending students are required to consult the material on the blended platform and contact the lecturer if necessary

Attendance

Knowledge regarding biological subjects (anatomy, biochemistry and general physiology)..

Course books

The PowerPoint presentations presented during the lessons will be uploaded to the Blended website to allow students to be updated on the arguments analyzed during the lessons.

Recommended texts:

Farmaci biotecnologici - Aspetti farmacologici e clinici.  (Vegeto - Maggi - Minghetti). Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

Reference text:

Goodman and Gilman - Le basi farmacologiche della terapia (tredicesima edizione).

Assessment

The course is examined through oral examination with questions to evaluate the students' knowledge about the mechanisms of basic principles of pharmacology;  address the issues related to potential interactions between drugs, dietary supplements and food. The final mark (out of 30) will be based on the skill of the students to answer properly to the questions.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.