Learning objectives
The course subject is aimed at teaching knowledge and under standing of the basics of:
1 - the fundamental properties of biological molecole and macromolecules
2 - the processes of degradation and biosynthesis of the main classes of biomolecules, and of the mechanisms of their regulation.
The student will also learn to apply the acquired knowledge and understanding to topics in the field of veterinary medicine.
Prerequisites
It is required the exam of 'Chimica propedeutica biochimica'
Course unit content
Properties of biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, aminoacids and proteins. Biological membranes. Structure and function of proteins. Enzyme catalysis and kinetics.
Introduction to the metabolism: coenzymes, high energy bonds, redox potentials. Catabolism of glucose. Metabolism of glycogen. Gluconeogenesis. Tricarboxilic acids cicle and related rections. Electron transport, oxidative phosphorilation and respiratory control. Photosynthesis. Lipid metabolism: Fatty acids oxidation, keton bodies, fatty acids biosynthesi, cholesterol. Metabolim of aminoacids: transamination reactions, urea cycle, PLP-dependent reactions. Nucleotides metabolism: ex-novo purines and pyrimidine biosinthesis. Ruminal fermentations.
The flow of the genetic information: Nucleic acids: DNA and RNA. Genes, chromosomes and chromatin. Duplication and maintenance of genomic DNA. DNA transcription in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Protein synthesis. The cell cycle.
Fundamentals of molecular biology: recombinant DNA and gene cloning. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR and RT-PCR), Southern and Northern blotting
Applications of the molecular diagnostics and of the recombinant biotechnologies to the diagnosis and prevention of diseases.
Bibliography
Nelson, D.L. e Cox, M.M. 'I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger' Editore: Zanichelli
Teaching methods
Oral lessons and laboratory
