BIOCHEMISTRY (A)
Learning outcomes of the course unit
The student is asked to understand and learn the content of the course. Attendance to lessons, which is mandatory, will allow the student to acquire appropriate skills to describe, communicate, understand and applicate knowledge of the main bio-molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes and co-enzymes); the mechanisms of metabolic energy production, energetic and structural homeostasis of living cells.
Prerequisites
Before taking the exam of "Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare" students have to pass:
1) Chimica e propedeutica Biochimica
2) Istologia ed embriologia
Course contents summary
Proteins: structure and functions. Myoglobin, hemoglobin and oxygen transport. Enzymes and enzyme kinetics. Cofactors and coenzymes used in metabolic reactions. Bioenergetics and biological oxidation. ATP, structure and functions. Reducing power, oxidative phosphorylation, the role of oxygen metabolism.
Course contents
Folding and protein stability, structural motifs and protein classifications. Protein folding diseases. Protein-ligand interaction. Myoglobin, hemoglobin and oxygen transport. Hemoglobin pathological variants. Enzymes and enzyme kinetics. Vitamins: origin, structure and mechanism of action. Cofactors and coenzymes used in metabolic reactions. Bioenergetics and biological oxidation. ATP, structure and functions. Reducing power, oxidative phosphorylation, the role of oxygen in metabolism.
Recommended readings
Nelson DL, Cox MM: I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger, Zanichelli, Bologna.
Lewin, Krebs, Goldstein, Kilpatrick: Il gene. Zanichelli, Bologna.
Amaldi, Benedetti, Pesole, Plevani: Biologia Molecolare. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano.
Lieberman, Marks: Biochimica Medica, un approccio clinico. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano.
Baynes JW, Dominiczak MH: Biochimica per le discipline biomediche, Elsevier Mosby, Philadelphia.
Caldarera CM: Biochimica Sistematica Umana, CLUEB, Bologna.
Devlin TM: Biochimica con aspetti clinici. Wiley-Liss, New York.
Garrett RH, Grisham CM: Biochimica. Piccin, Padova.
Mathews CK, van Holde KE, Ahern KG: Biochimica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano.
Murray RK, Granner DK, Mayes PA, Rodwell VW; Harper Biochimica, McGraw-Hill Libri Italia srl, Milano.
Siliprandi, Tettamanti: Biochimica Medica, Piccin. Padova.
Voet D, Voet JG: Biochimica John Wiley & Sons, USA.
Teaching methods
The course will be held with oral lectures and seminars to deep single issues, and will make use of multimedia systems. During the lessons, students will have the opportunity to discuss the key aspects of the course. Teachers will be available throughout the duration of the course to answer questions and support students during their training with individual meetings by appointment.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral Exam
