Biogerontology

Code:

OPT04

Acronym:

BG

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Medicine

Instance: 2017/2018 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Departamento de Biomedicina
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Master in Medicine

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIMED	15	Mestrado Integrado em Medicina- Plano oficial 2013 (Reforma Curricular)	2	-	3	24	81
			3

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

To introduce students to biogerontology and its location within modern biomedicine.

To evidence the biological foundations of functional ability loss (ageing) foccusing on humans, and including cell and molecular changes as well as the role of genes.

To show current frontiers of knowledge in the field and explore biogerontology extensions to other fields and the society as a whole.

To develop the interest in the field and inspire further research in the area.

Learning outcomes and competences

Systematized and consolidated Cell and Molecular Biology knowledge applied to gerontology.

Understanding of the biological foundations of ageing phenotype features of specific organs or systems in human body; understanding of the foundations of accelerated ageing human syndromes.

Awareness of the role of laboratory in the study of biogerontology through direct contact and published papers.

Recognition of the frontier of knowledge in gerontology and its extensions to other fields.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Scope of biogerontology. Biological theories of ageing and their evolution.

2. Cell and molecular ageing. Cell models.

3. Metabolism in ageing. Special note to calorie restriction and major signalling pathways.

4. Organism models for the study of ageing: yeasts, nematodes, insects and rodents. Humans. Gerontogenes

5. Accelerated human ageing.

6. Ageing of organs and systems with a special mention to nervous system, cardiovascular, endocrine, reproductive, placenta, muscular and skeleton, skin and immunity. Biological response to surgery and trauma in ageing.

7. Special issues (on rotation, matters as General Practice of Medicine, Cancer, Behavior and cognition, Demography, Non biological dimensions of ageing, Economics, Farmacology in ageing, Nutrition).

8. Cell and molecular laboratory in the study of gerontology. Experimental approach of gerontological problems.

Mandatory literature

Roger B McDonald; Biology of Aging, Garland Science (Reference text)

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures, scientific problem discussion, paper review. Lab session with an ageing cell model.

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Teste	100,00
Total:	100,00

Calculation formula of final grade

No formula.