2025
Molecular Medicine
Name: Molecular Medicine
Code: CMS15071M
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
This course aims to provide a molecular understanding of how normal cellular processes are modified, fail, or are interrupted by disease processes, as well as the current technologies that make it possible to generate pathophysiological and diagnostic study tools. It is closely linked to the courses Disease: from Mechanisms to the Clinic I and II.
At the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Understand the molecular mechanisms underlying pathologies;
- Identify areas in which molecular approaches for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of different types of pathologies (cancer, chronic, autoimmune, and genetic diseases);
- Learn about targeted molecular therapy strategies;
During this course, it will also be important for students to:
- Develop analytical skills and critical thinking when reading scientific articles;
- Enhance their ability to collaborate and communicate among peers;
- Increase their ability to disseminate scientific topics.
At the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Understand the molecular mechanisms underlying pathologies;
- Identify areas in which molecular approaches for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of different types of pathologies (cancer, chronic, autoimmune, and genetic diseases);
- Learn about targeted molecular therapy strategies;
During this course, it will also be important for students to:
- Develop analytical skills and critical thinking when reading scientific articles;
- Enhance their ability to collaborate and communicate among peers;
- Increase their ability to disseminate scientific topics.
Contents
1. mutations (DNA and RNA)
- RNA splicing
- DNA methylation
- Post-translational processing modifications in proteins
- Protein folding and aggregation
- Abnormal protein traffic
- Abnormal protein phosphorylation
- Apoptosis and necrosis
- Abnormal expression and signaling of molecular receptors
- Remodeling of the extracellular matrix
- Changes in the lipid membrane
2. Advanced techniques in molecular medicine
- Molecular techniques for epigenetic analysis (methylation and chromatin precipitation)
- HRM (High Resolution Melting) analysis for mutation screening
- Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)
- Protein microarrays for phosphorylation studies
- Fluorescence microscopy and cell-sorting
- Nuclear medicine (molecular imaging)
3. Targeted molecular therapies
- Gene therapy
- RNA interference therapy
- Protein-based therapy
- Resistance to therapy and the challenges of molecular therapy
- Drug development and individualized pharmacotherapy.
- Ethical, legal, and social consideration
- RNA splicing
- DNA methylation
- Post-translational processing modifications in proteins
- Protein folding and aggregation
- Abnormal protein traffic
- Abnormal protein phosphorylation
- Apoptosis and necrosis
- Abnormal expression and signaling of molecular receptors
- Remodeling of the extracellular matrix
- Changes in the lipid membrane
2. Advanced techniques in molecular medicine
- Molecular techniques for epigenetic analysis (methylation and chromatin precipitation)
- HRM (High Resolution Melting) analysis for mutation screening
- Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)
- Protein microarrays for phosphorylation studies
- Fluorescence microscopy and cell-sorting
- Nuclear medicine (molecular imaging)
3. Targeted molecular therapies
- Gene therapy
- RNA interference therapy
- Protein-based therapy
- Resistance to therapy and the challenges of molecular therapy
- Drug development and individualized pharmacotherapy.
- Ethical, legal, and social consideration
Teaching Methods
The TP classes (
Assessment
The evaluation system takes into account the work done in the various components of the discipline (TP, PL and TC). It considers both continuous evaluation (CA) and final evaluation (PA) modalities.
Evaluation of LP and CT:
They are necessarily evaluated on a CA basis. PL - integration of the results of the quantitative evaluation, attendance, interest and performance in laboratory classes, preparation of reports and resolution of oral and/or written questions; TC - Preparation of a critical report for each study visit carried out. The final rating of PL and TP must be ? 9.5.
TP Assessment:
The CA regime takes into account all the evaluation instruments used in (TPA- 30%), as well as 2 written tests (TPT1 + TPT2: 30%),
In a PA regime, it is by final exam.
The final grade of the TP component must be ? 9.5.
Final grade (NF):
AC -> NF = PL*0.3 + TC* 0.1% + TPA*0.3 +TPT1*0.15 + TPT2*0.15
AF -> NF=PL *0.3 + TC* 0.1% + TP *0.6
Evaluation of LP and CT:
They are necessarily evaluated on a CA basis. PL - integration of the results of the quantitative evaluation, attendance, interest and performance in laboratory classes, preparation of reports and resolution of oral and/or written questions; TC - Preparation of a critical report for each study visit carried out. The final rating of PL and TP must be ? 9.5.
TP Assessment:
The CA regime takes into account all the evaluation instruments used in (TPA- 30%), as well as 2 written tests (TPT1 + TPT2: 30%),
In a PA regime, it is by final exam.
The final grade of the TP component must be ? 9.5.
Final grade (NF):
AC -> NF = PL*0.3 + TC* 0.1% + TPA*0.3 +TPT1*0.15 + TPT2*0.15
AF -> NF=PL *0.3 + TC* 0.1% + TP *0.6
Teaching Staff
Certificações
