Objectives and competences

The syllabus of the Unity aims to raise awareness of the risks associated to the exposition of xenobiotics and their potentially toxic effects in human health and the environment. For each of the major toxic agents, their effect on human health and the environment is characterized and the necessary measures to minimize the risk associated with its use evaluated.
Students should develop the following competences:  

• Know the routes of exposure and metabolism of toxic compounds and characterize their biological effects.
• Identify the genetic damage that may occur after exposure to genotoxic agents.
• Identify potentially toxic agents that occur in biomaterials, food, packaging materials and present in the environment, characterize their risks and recommended protective measures.
• Acquire critical thinking ability and sensitivity to understand the scientific literature on emerging issues in Toxicology.

Teaching Methodologies

This Unity consists of lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes
In the lectures the fundamentals of toxicology are explained. In the tutorial classes the practical works are introduced and in laboratory classes the students have the opportunity to carry out lab work.

The methodology to be used in the lectures is the presentation of the programmatic contents with the use of power-point presentations and articles for discussion. However, it creates a space and encourages student participation in a dynamic and interactive way to clarifying questions or debate the issues under review.
The unit is taught using the e-learning platform, Blackboard.

Syllabus

1. Introduction to the study of toxicology
2. General principles on toxicity.
3. Mode of penetration of xenobiotics in the body
4. Distribution and location of xenobiotics in the human body
5. Biotransformation
6. Mode of removal of xenobiotics
7. Mode of action of xenobiotics
8. Risk assessment
9. Food, environmental and biomedical toxicology
10. General aspects on the treatment of intoxications