CODE 98799 ACADEMIC YEAR 2024/2025 CREDITS 10 cfu anno 1 MEDICAL-PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 10598 (LM-9) - GENOVA SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR BIO/10 LANGUAGE English TEACHING LOCATION GENOVA SEMESTER 1° Semester TEACHING MATERIALS AULAWEB OVERVIEW 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 CONTENT 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 and the Diagnostic Biotechnology modules consist in lectures on the indicated topics. The Laboratory will be held in Polo biotech; students will be required to develop a protocol aimed to study PTM or effects of alterations in PQC. The laboratory of Diagnostic Biotechnology will be conducted at the San Martino Hospital. Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department before class begins, in order to liase and arrange the specific teaching methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes. SYLLABUS/CONTENT Human Biochemistry 1 .Protein biochemistry Protein post-translational modifications and their role in heath and diseases Protein sorting in subcellular compartments Protein quality control 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) Diagnostic Biotechnology Electrophoresis and enzymatic assays as diagnostic tool Assays to evaluate organ functions (liver, kidney) Assays to evaluate glucose and lipid metabolism Search for elements (Fe, Cu, Pb,..) Body fluids Dynamic tests and evaluation in endocrinology RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY Slides and additional material for the study will be provided usig aualweb TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD MICHELA TONETTI Ricevimento: The teacher receives by appointment at Biochemistry - DIMES, Viale Benedetto XV No. 1, first floor, Genoa. The talks may take place, by appointment, also via Skype For appointments please send an email to: tonetti@unige.it. SANTINA BRUZZONE Ricevimento: By appointment by email: santina.bruzzone@unige.it Office: DIMES, Section of Biochemistry, Viale Benedetto XV, 1 (Genova) Phone: 0103538161 VALERIA VISCONTI ANDREA BENZI LESSONS Class schedule The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy EXAMS EXAM DESCRIPTION The Human biochemistry and the Diagnostic Biotechnology exam will be a written test with 32 multiple choice questions (1 marks each). The exam is positively evaluated with a score of 18/30 or higher. The score will be used to calculate the final mark, using the mean of the two parts. ASSESSMENT METHODS The questions proposed in the written exam will be constructed in such a way to evaluate student knowledge, but also to investigate the student biochemical reasoning and to evaluate the skills and competences acquired according to the objectives of the course.
