Biochemistry

Cell and mollecular biology; organic chemistry (basics)

The theoretical contents of the curricular unit will be presented through lectures,and use of interative digital plataforms.

The teaching methodologies will also include (TP framework)  practical mini-case-studies dedicated to metabolism in Biochemistry (PBL-Problem-based learning) and exercises regarding definition of biomarkers.

Students will also be encouraged to search, critically review and discuss relevant scientifc papers in the field of expertise.

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

1 – To show the importance of the relation structure-function of the main biomolecules of the cell;

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

3 – The study the bioenergetics of the cell, and the integration and regulation of the metabolism;

4 – The study of different biochemical markers for diagnosis, resolve exercises and mini-case studies of enzymatic defficiency in metabolic diseases;

5 – The development of skills in the review of scientific literature relevant for research in the field of expertise.

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

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

– Describe the main biochemical pathways, give examples of the key-enzymes, and of regulatory hormones;

– For each exercise or mini-case study of metabolic diseases, find the metabolic pathway affected, the enzymatic defficiency, and the biochemical biomarker for the diagnosis;

– Undertake advanced search in databases of scientific literature and critically review it.

T – Theoretical syllabus

BIOMOLECULES           

1. AMINO ACIDS and PROTEINS                                                                                                                                   

1.1 Structure-function

1.2 Acid-base characterization and importance as biological buffer systems

1.3 Globin family of proteins (case study)

2. ENZYMES                                                                                                                                        

2.1 Catalysis; Kinetics; Regulation of enzymatic activity; Enzymatic inhibition

2.2 Case studies in drug metabolism

3. CARBOHYDRATES                                                                                                                          

3.1 Structure-function

4. LIPIDS                                                                                                                                                

4.1 Structure-function

5. BIOENERGETICS AND CELLULAR METABOLISM

5.1 GLUCID METABOLISM/REGULATION                                                                           

5.2 LIPID METABOLISM/REGULATION                                                                 

5.3  AMINO ACIDS METABOLISM/REGULATION                                                                                  

6. METABOLISM OVERVIEW/INTEGRATION/ADAPTATION                                                           

TP – Theoretical/practical syllabus

– Exercises; Problem-based learning for the discussion of short  case studies in metabolic biochemistry to enable students to apply theoretical knowledge;

– Study of inborn errors of metabolism, identification of biomarkers (higher specificity) for the diagnosis or for the monitoring of treatment.

NAO