Precision Pharmacology and Gender Therapy
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Modulo- Medicina di Genere - Gender Therapy
At the end of the course, students have to demonstrate they possess the basic knowledge of gender differences and know how to decline them within the pathophysiological contexts addressed in the course.
Modulo: Farmacologia di precisione - Precision Pharmacology
The course aims at providing students with the theoretical basis for understanding emerging precision pharmacology approaches that take into account gender and individual variability, with regard to both genetic, environmental and lifestyle characteristics. Examples will highlight how the combination of genomic and behavioral profiles with pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data can enable the identification of therapies acting directly and highly specifically on the cause of diseases in single individuals as well as in selected subpopulations of patients. Practical sessions will focus on the impact of genetic polimorphisms on pharmacological responses.
At the end of the course, students have to demonstrate they possess the basic knowledge of gender differences and know how to decline them within the pathophysiological contexts addressed in the course.
Modulo: Farmacologia di precisione - Precision Pharmacology
The course aims at providing students with the theoretical basis for understanding emerging precision pharmacology approaches that take into account gender and individual variability, with regard to both genetic, environmental and lifestyle characteristics. Examples will highlight how the combination of genomic and behavioral profiles with pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data can enable the identification of therapies acting directly and highly specifically on the cause of diseases in single individuals as well as in selected subpopulations of patients. Practical sessions will focus on the impact of genetic polimorphisms on pharmacological responses.
Expected learning outcomes
Modulo- Medicina di Genere - Gender Therapy
At the end of the course, students have to demonstrate they possess the basic knowledge of gender differences and know how to decline them within the pathophysiological contexts addressed in the course.
Modulo: Farmacologia di precisione - Precision Pharmacology
At the end of the course, the student will be able to: 1) define how genetic and environmental profiles can influence individual responses to pharmacological agents; 2) predict the necessary changes that should be made to a drug's dosage in order to reduce its side effects and/or optimize its efficacy, and test whether and how already marketed drugs may be used for new and different therapeutic indications ("repurposed" drugs); 3) test how diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of disease, already in use or recently introduced, can be employed to predict the in vivo action of drugs; 4) critically interpret data on the effects of pharmacological agents taking into account available pharmacogenomic information; 5) use genetic databases and critically analyze data reported in the scientific literature.
At the end of the course, students have to demonstrate they possess the basic knowledge of gender differences and know how to decline them within the pathophysiological contexts addressed in the course.
Modulo: Farmacologia di precisione - Precision Pharmacology
At the end of the course, the student will be able to: 1) define how genetic and environmental profiles can influence individual responses to pharmacological agents; 2) predict the necessary changes that should be made to a drug's dosage in order to reduce its side effects and/or optimize its efficacy, and test whether and how already marketed drugs may be used for new and different therapeutic indications ("repurposed" drugs); 3) test how diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of disease, already in use or recently introduced, can be employed to predict the in vivo action of drugs; 4) critically interpret data on the effects of pharmacological agents taking into account available pharmacogenomic information; 5) use genetic databases and critically analyze data reported in the scientific literature.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and molecular biology is required.
Assessment methods and Criteria
For the Gender medicine module, the evaluation will consist of an oral exam. For the Precision Pharmacology module, the evaluation will consist of an oral exam, along with a test in the computer lab that will take place at the end of the practical sessions. This test will be graded on a scale from 0 to 3, and the score will be added to the oral exam grade only if the latter is passed successfully. The final grade for the course will be calculated as a weighted average of the grades obtained in the two modules.
Precision Pharmacology
Course syllabus
- Precision pharmacology basics: principles of pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics; molecular biology applied to precision pharmacology; personalized pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons with the support of slides and videos are planned. Computer exercises are planned during which the use of software and databases for sequencing data analysis will be demonstrated; some case studies will be discussed and simulations of a treatment plan based on genetic profiles will be carried out.
Teaching Resources
Slides, scientific papers and additional materials provided by lecturers and available on MyAriel.
Gender Therapy
Course syllabus
- General concepts of Endocrinology
- Endocrine bases for geneder medicine
- Sexual differentiation of the gonads and nervous system
- Role of sex chromosomes and sex hormones
- Pathophysiology of gender diseases and response to drugs
- Endocrinopathies and gender: Pathophysiology of the thyroid, bone metabolism, pituitary gland and metabolism
- Endocrine bases for geneder medicine
- Sexual differentiation of the gonads and nervous system
- Role of sex chromosomes and sex hormones
- Pathophysiology of gender diseases and response to drugs
- Endocrinopathies and gender: Pathophysiology of the thyroid, bone metabolism, pituitary gland and metabolism
Teaching methods
Frontal open lessons
Teaching Resources
Slides provided by the teacher
Modules or teaching units
Gender Therapy
MED/13 - ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM - University credits: 3
Lessons: 24 hours
Professor:
Melcangi Cosimo
Precision Pharmacology
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY - University credits: 8
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 56 hours
Lessons: 56 hours
Professors:
Abbracchio Maria Pia, Lecca Davide
Professor(s)
Reception:
Request an appointment by email
Office in Via Balzaretti 9 (3rd floor)