LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course is structured in two modules: Organ Biochemistry and Diagnostic Biotechnology. The Biochemistry module aims to analyze in details some aspects of protein biochemistry and tissue/ specialized organ biochemistry. During the laboratory, selected innovative biochemical methods and technologies will be discussed, using examples from the literature. The module of Diagnostic Biotechnology, aims to introduce students to the methods derived from basic biotechnologies that were transferred to medical diagnostics; know the main analyses of clinical biochemistry and their interpretation to verify metabolism and function of different organs.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide a deeper knowledge about protein functions, with a particular focus about the role of post-translational modifications (PTM), protein sorting and proteostasis in physiological and pathological conditions. Moreover, it will analyze at the biochemical and molecular level the specialized functions of organs and tissues and their complex relationships and the control systems in physiological conditions. The course will also focus on the understanding on some of the basic mechanisms responsible for alterations of homeostasis and the onset of diseases.

At the end of the course the student will be able to:

• understand and explain, at the molecular and biochemical level, the systems for maintaining homeostasis in cells and in the main tissues/organs
• apply the acquired knowledge to critically evaluate the consequences of homeostasis alterations in diseases (i.e. neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic syndrome, cancer)
• understand, critically evaluate and apply the experimental methods described during the course and in the scientific literature on the topic of the course in order to develop an experimental protocol during the Laboratory.
• acquire an adequate scientific language  

PREREQUISITES

A good knowledge of the macromolecule structures, of the metabolic pathways and of signal transduction mechanisms is required.

TEACHING METHODS

The Human biochemistry module consists in lectures on the indicated topics. The Laboratory will be practical and it will be held in Polo biotech; students will be required to develop a protocol aimed to study PTM or effects of alterations in PQC.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1 .Protein biochemistry

• Protein post-translational modifications (PTM) and their role in heath and diseases
• Protein sorting in subcellular compartments
• Protein quality control (PQC) and “conformational” diseases

2. Organ biochemistry

• Specialized biochemistry of the main tissues/organs: liver, muscle, adipose tissue, brain, blood
• Hormonal regulation of metabolism, control of glycemia and lipid metabolism
• The fasting/feeding cycle

3. Biochemistry of cancer cells

4. Biochemistry of the sensory systems (vision, olfaction, hearing, touch, taste)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Slides and additional material for the study will be provided usig aualweb