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2020/2021

Molecular Bases and Disease Mechanisms

Code: 102658 ECTS Credits: 3
Degree Type Year Semester
2502445 Veterinary Medicine OT 5 0
The proposed teaching and assessment methodology that appear in the guide may be subject to changes as a result of the restrictions to face-to-face class attendance imposed by the health authorities.

Contact

Name:
Anna Maria Bassols Teixidó
Email:
Anna.Bassols@uab.cat

Use of Languages

Principal working language:
catalan (cat)
Some groups entirely in English:
No
Some groups entirely in Catalan:
Yes
Some groups entirely in Spanish:
No

Teachers

Maria Fátima Bosch Tubert
Marcel Jiménez Farrerons
Fernando de Mora Pérez
Carlos Alberto Saura Antolin
Verónica Jiménez Cenzano

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for taking this course. However, it is recommended to revise the contents of Biochemistry, Physiology and Pathology

Objectives and Contextualisation

The general objective is that the student understands the molecular mechanisms of the disease, that is, which are the underlying biochemical and physiological processes, whose imbalance leads to the appearance of certain pathologies.

Currently, biomedical research is focused on the unraveling of the molecular mechanisms that cause the disease. It is from this molecular knowledge that new therapeutic strategies can be identified, to design new drugs against known molecular targets and to establish effective prevention mechanisms.

In this context, the veterinarian plays an important role and can not stand aside, as it has the clinical basis necessary to know the applicability of the research.

This subject intends to complement essential basic knowledge for the comprehensive understanding of pathological processes.

The subject focuses on diseases of great importance in human medicine due to their great impact, and which are the subject of very active basic research, both in our environment and in the international arena. The final objective is to bring the veterinarian closer to Human Medicine in order to enhance his/her role in Biomedical Research Centers, Pharmaceutical Industries, Animal Facilities, Tissue Banks, etc.

Competences

  • Apply scientific method to professional practice, including medicine
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of structural and functional disorders of the animal organism.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply scientific method to professional practice, including medicine
  2. Explain the molecular and physiological bases of the pathologies of greatest interest in experimental animals.

Content

LECTURE TOPICS

1) Cancer

2) Hereditary diseases of the musculo-skeletal system

3) Metabolic diseases (Type I and II diabetes, obesity)

4) Hereditary storage diseases (mucopolysaccharidosis)

5) Cardiovascular diseases

6) Diseases of the central nervous system (Alzheimer's disease)

7) Digestive diseases

8) Respiratory diseases

 

SEMINARS

Students must prepare and perform an oral presentation of the molecular and physiological basis of a disease not included in the lectures. After the presentation, questions will be asked to the student for discussion.

 

PRACTICAL WORK

There is no practical laboratory work.

 

Methodology

The methodology used in this subject combines theoretical lectures where the teacher exposes the most relevant aspects of each topic, together with active self-learning by the student on topics of interest.
										
											
										
											The student is suposed to perform the following activities:
										
											
										
											• Presential classes with ICT support explaining the basic concepts of the topic
										
											
										
											• Self-learning work, individually or in groups, to prepare the topic, which may be proposed by the teacher or the student. This work involves the search and selection of information using several sources of scientific information. Presentations are public, they must include multimedia material and ICT support and are followed by a discussion of the topic with participation of teachers and students

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Seminars 4 0.16 2
Sessions at the computer room 1 0.04 1, 2
Theoretical lectures 21 0.84 2
Type: Supervised      
Preparation of self-learning presentation 14 0.56 2
Type: Autonomous      
Study and bibliographic searches 33 1.32 2

Assessment

The evaluation system is organized in three tests. The final qualification is obtained from the sum of the qualifications of these modules:
										
											
										
											Test 1. Theory
										
											
										
											- Assessment system: short questions. Duration: 1 hour
										
											
										
											- Weight in the global rating: 35%.
										
											
										
											Test 2. Interpretation of data
										
											
										
											- Evaluation system: resolution of cases, exercises, problems. Duration: 1 hour
										
											
										
											- Weight in the global rating: 35%.
										
											
										
											According to the regulations of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and in dealing with a subject of 3 ECTS, tests 1 and 2 will be done the same day.
										
											
										
											Test 3. Self learning work:
										
											
										
											- Assessment system: The oral and written presentation of the work will be assessed, as well as the competence when discussing the topic.
										
											
										
											- Weight in the global rating: 30%.
										
											
										
											 
										
											
										
											Self-learning work is mandatory. Therefore, the student who does not give the oral presentation will be qualified as Not Presented or Failed, depending on their situation and regardless of the grade that they have obtained in the exam. To be able to pass the subject, the student needs to obtain a minimum overall grade of 5.0. One student will be evaluated if he/she takes any of the three tests.

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Oral presentation 30 1 0.04 1, 2
Test 1 35 0.5 0.02 2
Test 2 35 0.5 0.02 1, 2

Bibliography

-        The Biology of Cancer. Robert A. Weinberg. 2nd edition. Garland Science; 2014.

-        Principles of Neural Sciences (2012) Eric R. Kandel, James H. Schwartz, Thomas M. Jessell, Steven A. Siegelbaum, A. J. Hudspeth.

-        Textbook of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Second Edition Editor(s): C. J. Hawkey, Jaime Bosch, Joel E. Richter, Guadalupe Garcia-Tsao, Francis K. L. Chan (2009) http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/book/10.1002/9781118321386 (one-line catalog UAB)

-        Textbook of Gastroenterology Editor(s): Tadataka Yamada (2012) http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/book/10.1002/9781444303254 (one-line catalog UAB)

-        Reasearch and review articles contributed by the professors