DYNAMIC BIOCHEMISTRY AND HUMAN SYSTEMATICS
cod. 23847

Academic year 2007/08
2° year of course - First semester
Professor responsible for the course unit
CASTI Amos
integrated course unit
10 credits
hub:
course unit
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Course unit structured in the following modules:

Learning objectives

To be able to discuss the mechanisms of delivery and expression of the genetic information at molecular level. To be able to describe the characteristics, the function and the metabolic role of the major molecular constituents of the cell (proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes and co-enzymes, vitamins), and the mechanisms of production of the metabolic energy.

Prerequisites

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Course unit content

Proteins: structure and function. Hemoglobin and myoglobin. Enzymes: classification, kinetics and general mechanisms of regulation. Coenzymes: structure and function. Vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble. <br />
Molecular bases of the hereditary information. Composition and structure of nucleic acids. DNA synthesis. Telomerases. DNA repair mechanisms and correlations with human pathologies, cell aging and cancer. RNA: structure, function, transcription, maturation. Definition and properties of Genetic Code. Protein synthesis, regulation of gene expression and post-translational modification of proteins. Signal transduction pathways. Apoptosis. Cell differentiation. Cloning. <br />
Bioenergetics and oxidative metabolism. Electron transport chain. Oxidative phosphorylation. <br />
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Full programme

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Bibliography

Suggested textbooks: <br />
Baynes JW, Dominiczak MH: Biochimica per le discipline biomediche, seconda edizione, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano, 2006. <br />
Bhagavan NV: Medical Biochemistry, fourth edition, Harcourt/Academic Press, Burlington, 2002. <br />
Caldarera CM: Biochimica Sistematica Umana, seconda edizione, CLUEB, Bologna, 2003. <br />
Devlin TM: Textbook of Biochemistry with clinical correlations, fifth edition, Wiley-Liss, New York, 2002. <br />
Garrett RH, Grisham CM: Principi di Biochimica, con messa a fuoco su quella umana, Piccin, Padova, 2004. <br />
Mathews CK, van Holde KE, Ahern KG: Biochimica, terza edizione, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano, 2004. <br />
Murray RK, Granner DK, Mayes PA, Rodwell VW; Harper Biochimica, 25a edizione, McGraw-Hill Libri Italia srl, Milano, 2000. <br />
Nelson DL, Cox MM: I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger, terza edizione, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2002. <br />
Siliprandi N, Tettamanti G: Biochimica Medica: strutturale, metabolica e funzionale, Piccin. Padova, 2005. <br />
Voet D, Voet JG: Biochemistry, 3rd edition, John Wiley & Sons, USA, 2004. <br />

Teaching methods

Teaching activity: frontal lessons, interactive activity for small groups, seminars, learning by solving problems <br />
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Kind of exam: written <br />
Teachers: <br />
Prof. Amos Casti (Coordinator) <br />
Prof. Saverio Bettuzzi <br />

Assessment methods and criteria

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Other information

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