Medical Biotechnology

Introduction to the endocrine system: notes on biosynthesis, secretion and mechanism of hormonal action. Pathophysiology of the main endocrine axes. Disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis: hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and autoimmune diseases. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy of tumors of the thyroid gland. Molecular approaches useful for the diagnosis of thyroid carcinomas and their metastatic replications. Screening of the RET gene in medullary thyroid carcinomas. Use of recombinant human TSH in the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Use of biosensors in endocrinology. Animal models of endocrine pathologies. Gene therapy in endocrinology. Applications of regenerative medicine in the field of endocrine pathologies.

Students must have a good knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the endocrine glands. They must also have a good knowledge of the main molecular biology techniques.

Texts and/or scientific articles providing in-depth analysis of the topics covered in class provided by the teacher.

Mandatory. Attendance measured by roll call at the beginning of the lesson. The student must attend at least 67% of the frontal lessons.

The evaluation will be performed through questions designed to evaluate the knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in class.

Lectures with the aid of "PowerPoint" slides that will be made available to students.