General Biochemistry II

Biology and organic chemistry

The theoretical contents of the curricular unit will be presented through lectures, illustrated whenever possible with practical case-studies in which students are encouraged to use PBL-Problem Based Learning to apply the knowledge.

The teaching methodologies will also include group work dedicated to advanced search, critical review and discussion of relevant scientifc papersdedicated to inborn errors of metabolism.

In practical lessons, laboratory classes will be dedicated to metabolic pathways, in order to facilitate the comprehension of theoretical contents.

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

1- Understanding the main metabolic routes, its integration and regulation;

2- Comprehension of the specificities of the main biochemical mechanisms in the different tissues;

3- Recognition of the mechanisms of adaptation in fasting or exercise;

4- Identification of biomarkers (biochemical markers) for the diagnosis or monitoring of treatment of inborn errors of metabolism;

5- Be familiar with case studies of inborn errors of metabolism with emphasis in the biochemical defect, the diagnosis and the dietetic treatment;

6- Practical laboratory programme: Be familiar with the experimental techniques for the cellular separation of molecular fractions and the quantification of metabolites of clinical interest.

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

– Evidence knowledge and comprehension of na integrated view of the main metabolic routes and mechanisms of regulation, either in physiological conditions or in adaptation;

– Show knowledge  for the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism based in the biochemical fundamental knowledge acquired;

– Identifiy biomarkers (molecular or biochemical) for the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism or useful for the monitoring of treatment.

Practical laboratorial programme:

– Execute experimental techniques adequate to achieve the intended learning outcomes above-mentioned.

1. BIOENERGETICS AND CELLULAR METABOLISM

1.1 METABOLISM OF CARBOHYDRATES/REGULATION                                                                 

– Aerobic/Anaerobic pathways

– Catabolic and anabolic pathways

– Inborn errors of carbohydrate metabolism: Case studies

1.2 METABOLISM OF LIPIDS/REGULATION                                                                                       

– Catabolic and anabolic pathways

– Inborn errors of lipid metabolism: Case studies

1.3 METABOLISM OF PROTEINS/REGULATION                                                                                 

– The pathways for the amino group and the carbon skeleton of amino acids

– Inborn errors of amino acid metabolism: Case studies

1.4 INTEGRATION OF METABOLISM                                                                                                      

– Cori cycle; Citric acid cycle; Oxidative phosphorilation

– Metabolism adaptation in fasting and in exercise

2. BIOMARKERS (biochemical markers)                                                                          

– Errors of metabolism: Biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment

3. Practical Laboratory Programme                                                      

– Methods and techniques of cell fractionation.

– Study of metabolic pathways.

NAO

Primary bibliography:

Quintas A, Freire AP, Halpern MJ. Organização Molecular da Vida, ed. Lidel.

Bender DA.  Introduction to Nutrition and Metabolism, CRC Press.

Lehninger-Principles of Biochemistry, International Edition, Nelson DL & Cox MM, MacMillan ed, WH Freeman and Company, NY, USA

Berg JM, Tymoczko JL, Stryer L. Bioquímica. Guanabara koogan

Secondary bibliography:

Bioquímica Ilustrada de Harper. McGrawHill. Ed. Lange

Protocolos laboratoriais/Lab protocols