Learning objectives
Learn and comment on features, functions, structure and the metabolic role of the major bio-molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes and co-enzymes, water soluble and fat-soluble vitamins). Learn the mechanisms of metabolic energy production and homeostasis. Learn the structure and the function of eukaryotic genes. Learn the mechanisms of transmission of genetic information, DNA repair and gene expression. Learn the main metabolic pathways and their regulation. Classify and describe the structure and the functions of hormones. Learn the hormonal regulation of metabolic functions. Learn metabolic and biochemical correlations between organs and tissues in normal and pathological conditions.
Prerequisites
To be eligible for final exam of Systematic and Dynamics Human Biochemistry (at the end of the second year of course), students must have passed the following exams:
1) Chemistry and Biochemistry
2) Histology
Course unit content
Learn and comment on features, functions, structure and the metabolic role of the major bio-molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes and co-enzymes, water soluble and fat-soluble vitamins). Learn the mechanisms of metabolic energy production and homeostasis. Learn the structure and the function of eukaryotic genes. Learn the mechanisms of transmission of genetic information, DNA repair and gene expression. Learn the main metabolic pathways and their regulation. Classify and describe the structure and the functions of hormones. Learn the hormonal regulation of metabolic functions. Learn metabolic and biochemical correlations between organs and tissues in normal and pathological conditions.
Full programme
Proteins: structure and functions. Myoglobin, hemoglobin and oxygen transport. Enzymes and enzyme kinetics. Cofactors and coenzymes used in metabolic reactions. Vitamins: origin, structure, mechanism of action. Molecular basis of genetic information. Composition and structure of nucleic acids. Structure and function of eukaryotic gene. DNA replication. DNA repair. Mechanisms of gene expression in correlation with human disease, cell aging and cancer. Types of RNA: structure and functions. Genetic code and its properties. Mechanisms and regulation of transcription. Protein synthesis and its regulation. Regulation of gene expression and fate of post-synthetic proteins. Control of proliferation. Apoptosis. Differentiation. Molecular biology techniques: cloning, DNA sequencing, restriction enzymes and restriction maps, transgenes and transgenic organisms. Recombinant DNA technology in forensic medicine. Bioenergetics and biological oxidation. Glycolysis and the metabolic fate of pyruvate. Glycogen metabolism. Gluconeogenesis. Control of glycemia. Pentose Phosphate pathway. Citric Acid cycle and its amphibolic role. Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation. Amino acid metabolism. Metabolism of fatty acids and lipids. Ketogenesis. Cholesterol metabolism. Transport of lipids and lipoproteins. Metabolic fate of ammonia. Urea Cycle. Synthesis of uric acid. Synthesis and catabolism of heme. Bile pigments. Biosynthesis of amino acids. Biosynthesis of Purines, Pyrimidines and nucleotides. Biochemistry of the endocrine system. Structural and functional classification of hormones. Hormones: signal transduction pathways. Role of hormones in metabolism. Molecular approaches to major human diseases, molecular and translational medicine.
Bibliography
Nelson DL, Cox MM: I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger, Zanichelli, Bologna.
Lewin, Krebs, Goldstein, Kilpatrick: Il gene. Zanichelli, Bologna.
Amaldi, Benedetti, Pesole, Plevani: Biologia Molecolare. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano.
Lieberman, Marks: Biochimica Medica, un approccio clinico. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano.
Baynes JW, Dominiczak MH: Biochimica per le discipline biomediche, Elsevier Mosby, Philadelphia.
Caldarera CM: Biochimica Sistematica Umana, CLUEB, Bologna.
Devlin TM: Biochimica con aspetti clinici. Wiley-Liss, New York.
Garrett RH, Grisham CM: Biochimica. Piccin, Padova.
Mathews CK, van Holde KE, Ahern KG: Biochimica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano.
Murray RK, Granner DK, Mayes PA, Rodwell VW; Harper Biochimica, McGraw-Hill Libri Italia srl, Milano.
Siliprandi, Tettamanti: Biochimica Medica, Piccin. Padova.
Voet D, Voet JG: Biochimica John Wiley & Sons, USA.
Teaching methods
Oral lessons, seminars
Assessment methods and criteria
Exam: oral and written
Other information
Support activities
The teaching material has been moved to the E-Learning University web site -> lea.unipr.it, which is accessible by clicking on the “Go” button at the bottom of Moodle. Availability and updates of teaching materials are subject to approval by the competent authorities of the University.
Access to the restricted section of the course by individual student is through username and password. The student will book the exam list following login. Exams lists are accessible and scheduled annually.
