Postgraduate Specialisation in Microbiology and Virology

Biochemistry

Course code

4S00103

Name of lecturer

Ilaria Dando

Number of ECTS credits allocated

2

Other available courses

• Postgraduate Specialisation in Clinical Pathology and Clinical Biochemistry
• Scuola di Specializzazione in Microbiologia e Virologia (accesso riservato ai "non medici" - D.I. 716/2016)
• Scuola di Specializzazione in Patologia clinica e Biochimica clinica (accesso riservato ai "non medici" - D.I. 716/2016)

Academic sector

BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY

Language of instruction

Italian

Site

VERONA

Period

not yet allocated

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide knowledge on: - hallmarks of cancer; - metabolic characteristics of tumor cells; - biological and biochemical characteristics of tumor stem cells; - oncometabolites; - metabolic enzymes: other functions to support tumor proliferation; - cutting-edge technologies used in research to study the biochemistry of tumors; - new potential biochemical markers for the diagnosis of neoplasia; - female tumors and male tumors; - infections leading to the onset of neoplasms; - variants of the LHCGR receptor and its potential role in the development of male tumors; - connection between neoplasm and fertile potential in males. At the end of the course, the students will individually or in groups explain a topic of their choice present in the literature or based on their specialization experience, referring to the topics covered in class with the aim of showing a critical and applicative vision of the biochemistry of tumors.

Syllabus

During the course the following topics will be covered: the definition of cancer hallmarks according to Douglas Hanahan and Robert Weinberg; the metabolic characteristics of tumor cells, with particular reference to the Warburg effect and its interpretation today based on the most recent scientific works published in the literature; from the first discoveries to the latest scientific evidence on cancer stem cells; the metabolic characteristics of tumor stem cells; definition of oncometabolites and their role in supporting tumor proliferation and metastasis; the various functions of the most well-known metabolic enzymes in cancer; exhibition of the technologies used in research to study the biochemistry of tumors; new potential biochemical markers for the diagnosis of neoplasia; classification of the most common female and male tumors; cause-effect of some types of infections in the onset of certain neoplasms; role of hormones in tumorigenesis and variants of the luteinizing hormone receptor (LHCGR) in the development of male tumors; influence of the development of tumors on the alteration of fertile potential in males.

Assessment methods and criteria