Molecular Toxicology

Code:

EBE0222

Acronym:

TOXMOL

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Molecular Biotechnology

Instance: 2016/2017 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Molecular Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Bioengineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIB	19	Syllabus	3	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

- get fundamental and applied competences and skills in toxicology and ecotoxicology

 

Learning outcomes and competences

- get fundamental and applied competences and skills in toxicology and ecotoxicology

- develop the capability of  search, select and summarise scientific and technical information

- develop the autonomy, and the ability of work in a team and integration of knowledge from different areas to approach and solve fundamental and applied problems and questions

- develop the capability and skills for science communication to different types of audience

 

 

Working method

Presencial

Program

I

- Objectives, scope and definition of Toxicology and Ecotoxicology

- Diferent branches of Toxicology: mechanistic, clinical,  regulatory, environmental, …

- Concepts in Toxicology

- Factors influencing the toxicity

- Introduction to risk assessment

 

II

Cinetics of xenobiotics in the organism and factors influencing the processes

- absorption

- distribution

- metabolism and bioactivation

- elimination

 

Fate of xenobiotics and natural toxins in the environment

- sources and routes by which xenobiotics enter into the environment

- environmental fate and degradation

- interactions with the abiotic component of the ecosystems

- interactions with the ecosystem biotic component  (e.g. bioaccumulation, biomagnification, ecotoxicological effects)

- changes at the ecosystem level and implications for human and environmental health  

 

III

Mechanisms of toxicity: from the molecule to the ecosystem

 

IV

The Toxicology in the XXI century

- models for toxicity evaluation:  in vitro versus in vivo studies

- toxicology of systems

- toxicogenomics and toxicoproteomics

 

V

New molecules and new materials: challenges for Toxicology and Ecotoxicology

Biomarkers in Toxicology and Ecotoxicology

 

 

Mandatory literature

Klaassen Curtis D. ed.; Casarett and Doull.s toxicology. ISBN: 0-07-105476-6
Walker C. H. 070; Principles of ecotoxicology. ISBN: 0-8493-3635-X
Timbrell John; Principles of biochemical toxicology. ISBN: 0-748-40736-7
Timbrell John; Introduction to toxicology. ISBN: 0-415-24762-4

Comments from the literature

several websites and scientific papers

Teaching methods and learning activities

interactive lectures and traning sessions involving the students as much as possible; these will be complemented with autonomous work by the students 

keywords

Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology > Ecotoxicology
Health sciences > Pharmacological sciences > Toicology
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology > Environmental risks
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	75,00
Participação presencial	10,00
Trabalho escrito	15,00
Total:	100,00

Calculation formula of final grade

The final mark is the sum of the partial records obtained in the following items (to a total of 20 points): - Final exam: up to 15.0 with a compulsory minimum of 7.5 points. - Seminary component (autonomous group work with platform and poster presentation at the end of the semester): up to 3.0 points. - Participation in the activities done during the semester in the different types of sessions, including mini-tests: up to 2.0 points.

Examinations or Special Assignments

team work about a topic in the scope of the curricular unit

Classification improvement

exam