Postgraduate Specialisation in Ophthalmology

Clinical biochemistry and clinical molecular biology

Course code

4S002663

Name of lecturer

Daniele Dell'Orco

Number of ECTS credits allocated

1

Academic sector

BIO/12 - CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Language of instruction

Italian

Site

VERONA

Period

not yet allocated

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide ophthalmology residents with a biochemical point of view on the molecular mechanisms that trigger the visual process in physiological and pathological conditions. Trainees will also learn the conceptual foundations and molecular basis of modern biological approaches to the therapy of hereditary retinal dystrophies. Participants will also improve their teamwork skills, critical analysis of scientific literature relating to the topics covered and oral presentation.

Syllabus

1) The phototransduction cascade and the triggering of vision in vertebrates. Biochemical aspects of the regulation of the signaling cascade.
2) Molecular basis of color vision and common dyschromatopsia. Hereditary retinal dystrophies: genetic basis. Molecular bases of retinitis pigmentosa, cone-rod dystrophy and Leber congenital amaurosis; innovative therapeutic approaches.
3) The use of non-viral vectors for the delivery of small molecules and biological drugs in hereditary retinal therapies. The advantages of liposomes. The retinoid cycle and its alterations in visual diseases: biochemical basis. Dark adaptation and its biochemical correlate. Diseases due to deficiencies of enzymes involved in the metabolism of retinoids.
4) Group presentations by the residents of an article of their choice on topics relevant to the course. Classroom discussion.

Assessment methods and criteria