Biochemistry of Medical Imaging

Cell biology

 T – The teaching methods include using audiovisual media in lectures, the discussion of short case-studies dedicated to metabolic biochemistry (inborn errors of metabolism), the study of biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring the treatment, and also  exercises to apply theoretical contents.

TP – Students are encouraged to apply the knowledge acquired in the development of work through advanced search, critical review and discussion dedicated to radiopharmaceuticals.

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

1- The study of the structural and functional aspects of the cell biomacromolecules;

2- The study of the cell bioenergetics, the main biochemical metabolic routes and its integration and regulation;

3- The fundamentals of radiopharmaceuticals and its integration in the metabolic pathways;

4- Understanding the use of different imaging techniques to obtain specific information about the metabolic pathways of different tissues and organs , which are the basis of possible uses in imaging.

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

1.Identify the chemical structure of the biomacromolecules and relate structure to function,

2. Describe the mechanisms involved in the use of radiopharmaceuticals, either in clinical practice or under development;

3. Describe the relation between the cell bioenergetics and the metabolism, and its regulation;

4-Describe the main metabolic pathways, the key-enzymes and regulatory hormones;

5 – Differentiate the metabolic specificities of the different tissues;

6- Solve exercises and short-case studies of metabolism, and identify diagnostic biomarkers;

7- Select one metabolic target to be used to address an image translating its metabolic activity.

1. BIOMOLECULES  

– Amino acids and proteins; Enzymes; Carbohydrates; Lipids; Hormones

– Structure versus funtion

2. RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS                                                                                                            

– Use of radiopharmaceuticals – Basic principles

3.CELL BIOENERGETICS, METABOLISM and BIOMARKERS

3.1 Metabolism of carbohydrates                                                            

3.2 Metabolism of lipids                                                                             

3.3 Metabolism of proteins                                                                         

3.4 Metabolism of micronutrients                                                       

3.5 INTEGRATION OF METABOLISM, REGULATION AND ADAPTATION                                               

– Tissue/organ specifications

4. Use of radiopharmaceuticals in metabolic assessment                                                             

– SPECT radiopharmaceuticals

– PET radiopharmaceuticals

5. Spectroscopy in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance imaging                                               

The assessment methodologies have for basis the Academic Regulation of ESTESC.

CONTINUOUS/PERIODIC ASSESSMENT

T - one written test (70%)

TP - (30%): Bibliographic advanced search, oral presentation and discussion of a case study dedicated to radiopharmaceuticals (valid only in the regimen of continuous/periodic assessment, and in the present year).

To get final approval the student must obtain a minimal classification of 9,5 out of a total of 20 per moment of assessment

ASSESSMENT BY EXAM (one written test): Mandatory minimal classification of 10 out of 20, including T-70% + TP-30% (TP assessment will be dedicated to radiopharmaceuticals).

NAO