The Curriculum provides a solid knowledge on complex biological systems focused on structural and functional biochemistry of proteins and nucleic acids, integrating notions focused on protein/ligand interactions (i.e. salivary proteins, or interaction viral proteins/small molecules), protein/protein interactions (i.e. viral vs cellular proteins interactions), proteins/nucleic acid interactions (i.e. for proteins involved in autoimmune diseases, RNA for proteins involved in innate immune system down-regulation).

More specifically, the investigational areas for this curriculum are:

• study of the proteome of biological fluids, human cells or tissues, using top-down and bottom-up proteomic approaches in order to obtain protein profiles useful for the identification of possible biomarkers for the diagnosis of different pathologies;
• characterization of the acid-insoluble fraction of the proteome of biological fluids, cells, and tissues by two-dimensional electrophoresis to highlight protein biomarkers of specific diseases;
• study of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes coding for proteins present in biological fluids;
• analysis of human genomic sequences of retroviral origin involved with autoimmune diseases widespread in Sardinia;
• identification and functional characterization of regulatory proteins involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases;
• identification and characterization of new viral targets for therapeutic purposes using biological and computational techniques and identification of new antiviral drugs;
• evaluation of the inhibitory activity of newly synthesized compounds against tyrosinase and search for bioactive substances in plant extracts.

The Curriculum provides a solid knowledge regarding the valorisation of marine biodiversity with reference to fish and macro-invertebrate species that characterize the sea and inland waters of Sardinia, through theoretical and experimental studies that enhance the quality and safety of food products, with particular regard to the promotion and protection of typical products of the island (eg. bottarga, lobster, sea urchin pulp, shrimp, tuna, octopus).

More specifically, the learning objectives for the first year include:

The study of the natural environment in all its biotic and abiotic components for the analysis of processes, systems and productive problems with special attention to the marine and brackish ecosystems (sea and lagoons).

The study of conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean. In particular, the following main topics will be addressed: reproductive cycles, estimates of abundance, distribution, recruitment mechanisms and bio-ecological correlations for Mediterranean teleosts, crustaceans, cephalopods and selachian species.

The curriculum itself provides skills related to the ability to:

1. plan interventions for the prevention, management, protection, and conservation of natural resources;
2. assess the impact of anthropisation;
3. design programs of environment restoration.

In addition, the Curriculum provides a solid knowledge concerning the definition of micro-evolutionary processes of human populations, in the light of molecular, anthropometric, biodemographic, and osteological data, and those arising from the ‘man-environment’ interactions.

More specifically, the learning objectives include:

• the systematics analysis of fossil remains of the human lineage and of bioarchaeological field in its osteological, paleo-demographic and molecular aspects;
• study of the evolution of cultures and subsistence strategies in their naturalistic aspects;
• reconstruction of the history of human settlement through the study of bio-anthropological and molecular markers;
• study of single-parent molecular markers for the identification of marriage and cultural behaviours and of migration patterns;
• study of the different susceptibility to diseases in human populations; evaluation of anthropometric characteristics and body composition in relation to the life cycle and motor activities.

The Curriculum aims at providing a sound knowledge to train qualified experts in the pharmaceutical field.

In particular, issues will be addressed concerning: the synthesis of drugs and bioactive molecules; extraction of biologically active molecules from natural matrices and their qualitative-quantitative characterization by means of analytical techniques; the study of the structure-activity relationships, mechanism of action and the molecular basis of the behavioural effects of newly synthesized and/or naturally derived substances; the application of analytical methodologies for the recognition and dosage of drugs and toxicants; the nutraceutical studies of compounds, the formulation and development of traditional and innovative drug delivery systems, studies of characterization, stability and quality control of the final medicinal products.

More specifically, the learning objectives include:

• rational design of bioactive molecules also applying computational methods, synthesis through advanced methods, analysis of molecules of biological interest, phytochemical applications;
• synthesis and study of organic materials and biological compounds and characterization by spectroscopic techniques;
• studies on the nutritional properties and chemical composition of food products and supplements; toxicological risk assessment;
• in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro analysis of the molecular basis of the behavioural effects of newly synthesized, naturally derived and/or psychotropic substances;
• preformulation, design, development, and control of the stability of conventional or innovative drug delivery systems; pharmacokinetics and metabolism studies.