Molecular and Physiological Basis Of Aging

Year
2
Academic year
2018-2019
Code
01016191
Subject Area
Elective Units
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
2.0
Type
Elective
Level
1st Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

Factual knowledge: This course requires basic knowledge about Biochemistry, Biology and Physiology; hence, it is desirable the completion of the Units of Biomathematic (Biostatistics), Bichemistry I & II, Cellular and Molecular Biology I & II, Physiology I.

Skills and attitudes:

Languages: ability to understand and communicate in Portuguese as well as in English to search, select and process bibliographical information.

Information technologies: ability to use computers and internet to access bibliography and ability to use softwares for organization of presentations.

Attitudes: interest by the topic, self-learning, interactive strategies with colleagues and Faculty, work-group skills.

Teaching Methods

We will mingle 3 strategies to maximize the acquisition of the nuclear concepts: 1) theoretical classes to systematize concepts; 2) theorico-practical classes in the form of oriented seminars centered in group discussions to manipulate these concepts; 3) one seminar with an invited guess, to apply these concepts to a problem of aging. The focus of the student’s involvement in the learning process further aims to develop competences such as: 1) apply knowledge to problem solving; 2) promote self-learning; 3) work group; 4) search and critically select scientific information.

Learning Outcomes

The main goal is to teach future MDs of the particular physiological characteristics of the elderly (16% of the population but 32% of patients) to provide the required rationale for a differentiated intervention in this segment of the population. The aim is different from a discipline of Geriatrics since the focus is not the intervention in the elderly but the understanding of the physiological alterations shrinking the allostatic window and increasing susceptibility to disease in the elderly. There are 3 main objetives:

1) to understand molecular, metabolic and systems’ coordination processes that become frail with aging

2) to emphasize the singularity of the physiological and molecular characteristics of the elderly and its importance for clinical practice

3) to allow a vertical integration of knowledge spread through disciplines such as Biochemistry, Physiology and Cellular and Molecular Biology, and to support future disciplines of Physiopathology, Pharmacology and Clinical units.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

The primary objetive of the program is to highlight the importance and heterogeneity of the molecular and physiological characteristics of the elderly, to sensitize for the need of a particular care to evaluate and manage elderly patients in their future clinical practice.

The discipline is organized to explore the following concepts: 1) understand the socioeconnomical importance and the hurdles to study the elderly; 2) critically evaluate the aging process at different levels of complexity (genetic, cellular or systems); 3) appreciate the physiological and biochemical modifications associated with aging in different systems to understand the age-related allostatic shrinkage; 4) relate the allostatic compression with greater susceptibility to disease; 4) understand that these modifications anticipate different pharmaco-kinetics and -dynamic profiles forcing particular care for the therapeutic in the elderly.

Head Lecturer(s)

Rodrigo Pinto Santos Antunes Cunha

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Mini Tests: 10.0%
Research work: 25.0%
Resolution Problems: 25.0%
Project: 40.0%

Bibliography

-Arking R (1998) Biology of Aging: Observations and Principles (2nd Ed). Sinauer Assoc.

-Goldsmith TC (2014) The Evolution of Aging - How New Theories Will Change the Future of Medicine (3rd Ed). Azinet Press.

-Masoro EJ, Austad SN (2001) Handbook of the Biology of Aging (5th Ed.). Academic Press.

-Timiras PS (2002) Physiological Basis of Aging and Geriatrics (3rd Ed.). CRC Press.

-Textos de apoio e artigos científicos de referência / support reviews and scientific papers of reference.