General Biochemistry

Cell Biology and Organic chemistry (elementar)

The theoretical contents of the curricular unit will be presented through lectures, with active methodologies, illustrated whenever possible with the use of Problem-based learning (PBL), with exercises and short-case studies in which students are encouraged to apply the knowledge  acquired and to develop skills.

The intended learning outcomes of the curricular unit of Biochemistry are the following:

1 – The study of the relationship between the chemical structure and the function of the biomolecules in the cell;

2 – The study of the main metabolic pathways, key-enzymes and regulatory hormones involved;

3 – To have an integrated view of the metabolism, its regulation, and adaptation mechanisms;

4 – The identification of metabolic biomarkers for the diagnosis of different clinical conditions, of higher specificity ans sensitivity.

At the end of this curricular unit, the student should be able to:

– Identify the functional groups in the structure of the biomolecules, and relate with the function;

– Recognize the importance of enzymatic catalysis, kinetics and inhibition;

– Distinguish catabolism from anabolism, and relate with cell bioenergetics;

– List key-enzymes, associate with the metabolic pathways, and the regulatory hormones;

– Identify the activated metabolic pathways activated in different conditions (non-fasting state; fasting; disease; exercise);

– Identify metabolic biomarkers, with higher specificity, for the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism;

– Resolve exercises and analyse short-case studies in Biochemistry of the metabolism.

Theoretical syllabus

BIOMOLECULES           

1. AMINO ACIDS AND PROTEINS                                                                                                                                      

– Structure and function

– Globin family of proteins: case study

2. ENZYMES                                                                                                                                                

– Mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis; Enzymatic kinetics; Enzymatics regulation; Mechanisms of enzymatic inhibition

3. CARBOHYDRATES                                                                                                                                

– Structure and function

4. LIPIDS                                                                                                                                                     

– Structure and function

5. BIOENERGETICS AND CELLULAR METABOLISM

5.1 AMINO ACID METABOLISM/REGULATION                                                                                    

5.2 GLUCID METABOLISM/REGULATION                                                                                            

5.3 LIPID METABOLISM/REGULATION                                                                                                   

5.4 METABOLISM OVERVIEW/INTEGRATION/METABOLIC ADAPTATION                                      

6. INBORN ERRORS OF METABOLISM  and biomarkers                                                                                                  

Theoretical-pactical syllabus

Exercises + analysis of short-case studies in metabolic Biochemistry

NAO