Learning objectives
During the Biochemistry course, the student will acquire knowledge on the structure and function of enzymes, on nutrients and their transformations during the catabolic and anabolic phases of metabolism, on the energy exchanges associated with these transformations and the thermodynamic and kinetic basis of metabolism. Special attention will be devoted to the regulation of metabolism under biological terms as well as from a clinical point of view.
Prerequisites
Basic concepts on cell biology, organic chemistry, biophysics represent an advantage for the students in understanding the topics covered in the Biochemistry course. Having passed the PHYSICO-CHEMICAL BASES OF LIFE exam should be a prerequisite to being able to enrol in the Biochemistry exam.
Course unit content
The course provides chemical and molecular aspects of metabolic compounds and intermediates as well as the mechanisms and significance of the regulation and coordination of metabolism in both physiological and pathological conditions.
Full programme
Chemistry of Amino acids and Proteins
Protein purification & characterization
Structure and functions of proteins
Translation and post-translational modifications
Myoglobin/Hemoglobin and oxygen transport
Actin/Myosin and motility (cell and muscle)
Enzymes and enzyme kinetics
Regulatory enzymes
Chemical structure of carbohydrates
Cofactors, coenzymes and vitamins
Lipid Structures and Biological membranes
Membrane dynamics and Solute transport across membranes
Genomic and proteomic
Molecular basis of genetic information
Molecular biology techniques
Biochemical Signalling with special reference to Protein Kinases
Bioenergetics/ Introduction to metabolism
Regulation of metabolic pathways
Glycolysis
Glycogen / Gluconeogenesis
Glucose homeostasis / Insulin-glucagon
Citric acid cycle
Electron transport/ Oxidative Phosphorylation/ Respiratory control
Amino acids metabolism
Nitrogen metabolism and the urea cycle
Protein metabolism
Iron and Heme metabolism
Lipid metabolism
Cholesterol metabolism
Nucleotide metabolism
Regulation of gene expression
The biochemistry of drug development
Hormone structure and action
Hormonal regulation of fuel metabolism
Bibliography
1. LEHNINGER PRINCIPLES OF BIOCHEMISTRY 8TH EDITION BY: DAVID L. NELSON, MICHAEL M. COX
2. BIOCHEMISTRY 9TH EDITION BY: JEREMY M. BERG, LUBERT STRYER, JOHN TYMOCZKO, GREGORY GATT
3. MARKS' BASIC MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY A CLINICAL APPROACH 5TH EDITION BY: MICHAEL LIEBERMAN, ALISA PEET
4. MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY 5TH EDITION BY: MAREK H. DOMINICZAK, JOHN W. BAYNES
Teaching methods
During lectures, in which the above-mentioned contents will be discussed, the student will be led through a training course in order to favour a positive acquisition of the process of transferring basic research into medical application. Students will be trained in the ability to integrate information from different sources (media, IT supports, recent literature, and reference texts). Supporting material will be available on the Elly platform.
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam consists of a written test divided into 23 multiple choice-questions (1 point/each for the correct answer; no penalty for incorrect answer) supplemented by 2 open questions (up to 5 point/each) to be answered in a concise written form that integrates graphics, schemes and structures. The time allowed for the test is 60 minutes; in the first 20 minutes, the student is allowed to quit, returning the test to the commission. In case of a positive result (mark ≥ 18), the student can choose whether to proceed with the recording of the final mark or to integrate the written test result with an oral exam.
In case of the persistence of the health emergency, the exam will be conducted remotely by Teams and/or Elly.
Students with SLD / BSE must first contact Le Eli-che: support for students with disabilities, D.S.A., B.E.S. (https://sea.unipr.it/it/servizi/le-eli-che-supporto-studenti-con-disabil...).
Other information
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