Biochemistry I

Cell and Mollecular Biology

Organic Chemistry

The theoretical contents of the curricular unit will be presented through lectures, illustrated whenever possible with practical case-studies and exercises in which students are encouraged to apply the competences acquired.

The teaching methodologies will also include group work dedicated to advanced search, critical review and discussion of relevant scientifc papers of expertise.

The intended learning outcomes of the curricular unit of Biochemistry I are the fundamentals of nutritional biochemistry, with emphasis on the following:

1- The structural aspects of the biomolecules, macronutrientes and micronutrients, and the importance of the structure-function relationship;

2- The mechanisms of digestion, absorption and transport of nutrients;

3- The effect of diet especially in terms of oxidative stress;

4-The role of nutrients as inflammatory mediators and as enzyme inhibitors;

5- Critical review of scientific literature relevant for research in the field of expertise.

6- In the practical laboratorial programme, the intended learning outcomes are the ability to select the adequate analytical technique in each case and the capacity to execute the experimental technique.

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

– Diferentiate the functional groups in the structure of the biomolecules (proteins, lipids and carbohydrates) and relate to its function;

– Describe the biochemical role of macromoleculaes and micronutrients;

– Identify the key enzymes and hormones involved in the mechanims of digestion, absorption and transport of nutrients;

– Describe the role of enzymes, vitamins and minerals in oxidative stress;

– Undertake advanced search in databases of scientific literature and critically review it, in terms of the role of diet in oxidative stress.

In the Practical Laboratory Programme the student must be able to:

Follow and execute lab protocols, select the adequate experimental technique and use it.

BIOMOLECULES           

1. AMINO ACIDS and PROTEINS                                                                                                                               

1.1 Structure-function

1.2 Globin family of proteins (case study)                                                                                                                           

2. ENZYMES                                                                                                                                            

2.1 Mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis; kinetics, regulation and of inhibition

3. CARBOHYDRATES                                                                                                                           

3.1Structure-function

4. LIPIDS                                                                                                                                               

4.1Structure-function

5. VITAMINS AND MINERALS                                                                                                              

– Role in cell biochemistry

6. OXIDATIVE STRESS                                                                                                                       

6.1 Role of nutrients/food in oxidative stress (case studies)

7. HORMONES/Neuromediators                                                                                                      

8. Digestion, Absorption, and Transport of nutrients                                                                                                       

Practical programme:

The laboratorial work will be chosen among the following items:

a) Extraction/identification of amino acids; b) Study of the buffering capacity of amino acids; c) Quantification of reducing sugars; d) Extraction/Quantification of lipids; e) Encapsulation of bioactive compounds (vitamins); f) Determination of oxidative stress biomarkers              

NAO