OVERVIEW

Biochemistry, together with molecular biology and human genetics, is necessary to understand the molecular events underlying human physiology and pathology. This Course will teach the basic mechanisms of chemical and metabolic modifications in order to understand the molecular basis of diseases.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES (FURTHER INFO)

The study of simple molecules and of their reactions, illustrated in Biochemistry 1, is followed by the study of protein and enzyme structure and function.In particular we will study the proteins responsible for O2 binding and transport and the enzymes involved in metabolism as well as their regulatory mechnisms.   

During this course, we will study the principal catabolic and anabolic pathwaysof carboidrate, lipid and nitrogen compounds, gaining insight into the mechanisms allowing cells to obtain energy from the oxidation of nutrients and to use that energy to synthesize complex macromolecules.

We will address the metabolic signatures of the various organs and tissues, their interactions and the hormonal regulation of metabolism, both under physiological conditions, including the fed and fasted states, and under pathological conditions, such as the principal metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia) and the neoplastic cell. 

At the end of this course, the student must have acquired an understanding of the biochemical reactions of the major anabolic and catabolic pathways, and of their relevance to understand the molecular basis of disease. 

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures will cover the entire program of the course. Three different Professors (Salamino, Tonetti e Zocchi) will alternate during the course, covering different parts of the program, as indicated in sylabus/ content. At the end of the lessons, at least 4 hours will be devoted to question-time by the students with the three Professors together

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Proteins: composition and structure (Teacher Prof. Franca Salamino)

Proteins:structure-function relationships in protein families (Teacher Prof. Franca Salamino)

Enzymes: classification kinetics and control (Teacher Prof. Franca Salamino)

Bioenergetics and oxidative metabolism (Teacher Prof. Franca Salamino)

Carbohydrate metabolism: major metabolism and their control (Teacher Prof. Michela Tonetti)

Carbohydrate metabolism: special pathways (Teacher Prof. Michela Tonetti)

Lipid metabolism: transport, utilization and storage of energy in lipid form (Teacher Prof. Franca Salamino)

Lipid metabolism: pathways of metabolism of special lipids (Teacher Prof. Franca Salamino)

Aminoacid metabolism (Teacher Prof. Elena Zocchi)

Purine and pyrimidine nucleotide metabolism: metabolic interrelationships (Teacher Prof. Elena Zocchi)

Biochemistry of hormones: polypeptide hormones(Teacher Prof. Elena Zocchi) 

Biochemistry of hormones: steroid hormones (Teacher Prof. Elena Zocchi)

Iron and heme metabolism (Teacher Prof. Franca Salamino)

Principle of nutrition: water soluble vitamins and lipid soluble vitamin(Teacher Prof. Michela Tonetti) 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Materials published in Aula Web

Texbook:

Nelson and Cox: Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry w.h. freeman ed.

Devlin: Textbook of biochemistry with clinical correlations Wiley-Liss ed

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

GIANLUCA DAMONTE (President)

ANTONIO DE FLORA (President)

UMBERTO BENATTI

BIANCA SPARATORE

MICHELA TONETTI

ELENA ZOCCHI

FRANCA SALAMINO (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

6 MARCH 2017

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam. Students should pass the Biochemistry 1 test before enlisting for the  Biochemistry 2 oral exam. The final score will include both subjects

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The assessment takes place only through the final exam which aims to ensure the effective acquisition by the student of the expected learning outcomes.

Exam evaluation will take into account knowledge, presentation/speaking skills, as well as the ability in connecting the different arguments.

The final evaluation is the weighted average between the Biochemistry 1 and 2 evaluations 

Exam schedule