E4070 Fundamentals in Toxicology

Faculty of Science
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Klára Hilscherová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. RNDr. Luděk Bláha, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Jiří Novák, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Ondřej Adamovský, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Klára Hilscherová, Ph.D.
RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. Klára Hilscherová, Ph.D.
Supplier department: RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 130 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/130, only registered: 66/130, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 10/130
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of this course is to obtain an overview and a good orientation in major areas of toxicology, including descriptive, mechanistic and experimental toxicology. The aim is to provide students with quality information bases that will enable critical evaluation of toxicological risks associated with exposure to different type of chemicals and also up-to-date regulatory context from the viewpoint of human health and environmental protection.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course students should be able to:
- clarify principles and methods of molecular toxicology;
- discuss causes of organ and organismal toxicity in human;
- explain basic approaches and principles of ecotoxicology;
- critically assess exposure sources (industrial and professional exposure and toxicity), etc.;
- describe the biotransformation and toxicokinetics of xenobiotics;
- characterize the major phases of interaction of xenobiotics with organism, including the dose-response relationship;
- understand the issues related to mutagenesis and carcinogenesis;
- summarize methods in experimental toxicology, know modern methods in toxicology and their development;
- have the general knowledge in the main fields associated with toxicology;
- be well oriented in the area of clinical toxicology; epidemiology, immunotoxicology, reproductive toxicology; - be well oriented in toxicology literature and actively use international toxicology databases;
- discuss and critically evaluate toxicological issues of main types of inorganic and organic compounds (pharmaceuticals, priority pollutants, metals etc.);
- define toxicological problems of agrochemicals, namely pesticides;
- know the rules for protection and first aid in case of poisoning by basic types of chemicals;
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to Toxicology – About the Class, What is Toxicology, Historical Aspects, Basic Concepts in Toxicology, Branches of Toxicology
  • 2. General Toxicology – Principles of Toxicology, Mechanisms of Toxicity, Types of Responses, Types of Toxic Substances, Types of Exposure, Dose–response Relationship,
  • 3. Disposition of Toxicants – Uptake/Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion of toxicants, Biotransformation of Xenobiotics, Toxicokinetics, Variations in Response in Different Animal Species
  • 4. Non-organ Toxicology – Mutagenesis and Carcinogenesis, Genetic Toxicology, Cell Toxicology, Molecular Toxicology, Toxicogenomics
  • 5. Organ Toxicology I. – Immune System, Liver, Kidney, Respiratory System, Heart and Vascular System, Skin
  • 6. Organ Toxicology II. – Nervous System, Reproductive System, Endocrine System
  • 7. Toxic Agents I. – Pesticides, Metals, Solvent and Vapors, Organic pollutants, Radiation and Radioactive Materials
  • 8. Toxic Agents II. – Household Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Animal Venoms, Plants
  • 9. Environmental Toxicology – Environmental Pollution and its Effects, Ecotoxicology
  • 10. Toxicity Analysis, Evaluation and Diagnosis, Treatment, Experimental Methods in Toxicology
  • 11. Regulatory Toxicology, Environmental Epidemiology and Human Risk Assessment, Risk Communication
  • 12. Applications of Toxicology – Food Toxicology, Analytic/Forensic Toxicology, Clinical Toxicology, Occupational Toxicology
  • 13. Practical Aspects of Toxicology, Rules for Protection and First Aid in Case of Poisoning by Basic Types of Chemicals;
Literature
    recommended literature
  • LINHART, Igor. Toxikologie : interakce škodlivých látek s živými organismy, jejich mechanismy, projevy a důsledky. 2., upravené a rozšířen. Praha: Vysoká škola chemicko-technologická v Praze, 2014, 410 stran. ISBN 9788070808771. info
    not specified
  • Casarett & Doull's essentials of toxicology. Edited by Curtis D. Klaassen - John B. Watkins. Third edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical, 2015, xiii, 524. ISBN 9780071847087. info
  • Predictive toxicology : from vision to reality. Edited by Friedlieb Pfannkuch - Laura Suter-Dick. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH, 2015, xxv, 404. ISBN 9783527336081. info
  • General toxicology. Edited by Jaroslava Švarc-Gajić. New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2009, viii, 287. ISBN 9781616684747. info
  • Principles and methods of toxicology. Edited by A. Wallace Hayes. 5th ed. New York: Informa Healthcare, 2008, xxiii, 227. ISBN 9780849337789. info
Teaching methods
The lectures are interactive with support of audiovisual presentations. The lecturers refer to specific materials for deeper understanding of presented topics. Students are encouraged to get involved in discussion on the presented topics to support their critical thinking. The emphasis is placed on toxicology mechanisms and principles and broader context and practical applications of the individual toxicology branches for protection of health and the environment. Part of the class is also a seminar project based on a study and synthesis of information on a specific topic.
Assessment methods
The attendance to the lectures is highly recommended for successful fulfillment of the class´ aims and also in regard to the interactive style of the lectures. Part of the class is also a seminar project in teams and its brief online presentation. The final evaluation will be based on a final written test at the end of semester.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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