The course aims to introduce students to fundamental concepts relating to proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleotides, coenzymes and vitamins.
In particular, the structure-function relationship of proteins with enzymatic and regulatory activity will be explored. Subsequently, the main concepts of metabolism and regulation of the various anabolic and catabolic pathways will be discussed. Finally, the student will possess an integrated knowledge to understand the molecular bases that regulate cell metabolism in relation to the presence of extracellular signals and under different pathophysiological conditions.

1.       Fundamentals of biochemistry

2.       Structure and catalysis

2.1.    Amino acids, peptides and proteins: amino acids, peptides and proteins, primary structure

2.2.    Protein structure and function: secondary structure, tertiary and quaternary structure, reversible binding of a protein to a ligand

2.3. Enzymes and enzyme kinetics: classification, mechanisms of action, enzyme kinetics, regulation

2.4.    Carbohydrate chemistry: monosaccharides and disaccharides, polysaccharides, glycoconjugates

2.5.    Nucleic acid chemistry

2.6.    Lipid chemistry: reserve lipids, structural lipids

3.       Bioenergetics and metabolism

3.1.    Introduction to metabolism

3.2.    Glucose metabolism: glycolysis, pyruvate fate, gluconeogenesis, coordinated regulation of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, glucose oxidation via the pentose phosphate pathway

3.3. Glycogen metabolism: structure and function of glycogen, glycogen breakdown and synthesis, coordinated regulation of synthesis and breakdown

3.4.    Citric acid cycle: production of acetyl-CoA, cycle reactions, regulation

3.5.    Oxidative phosphorylation: respiratory chain, ATP synthesis, regulation

3.6.    Fatty acid catabolism: digestion, mobilisation and transport, beta-oxidation, ketone bodies

3.7.    Lipid biosynthesis: fatty acid biosynthesis, triglyceride biosynthesis, phospholipid biosynthesis

3.8.    Amino acid oxidation: de

The student should know the basics of the structure and functions of proteins with particular reference to fibrous and globular proteins. At the end of the course the student should possess the most relevant information on enzymes, the mechanisms of enzyme catalysis, the concepts of specificity, affinity and speed of enzyme-catalysed reactions.

For the metabolism part, the student will know the glucose, lipid and nitrogen metabolism of animal and microbial cells. He/she will have acquired the basic knowledge of the pathways leading to energy formation and providing reducing power.

For the part relating to metabolic regulation, the student will have sufficient understanding of the interactions between metabolic pathways, their mutual regulation and their modulation by extracellular signals.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The lecturer's teaching materials and specific communications can be found, together with other support activities, within the Moodle platform ' blended.uniurb.it

Laboratory demonstrations e.g. exercises on enzymes will be carried out

Teaching

Lectures and lab sessions

Innovative teaching methods

Problem-based learning, Learning by doing, CLIL.

Attendance

none

Course books

D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox, I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger, Zanichelli 2022 (8 ed.) o 2018 (7 ed.)

Jeremy M Berg John L Tymoczko Gregory J. Gatto Lubert Stryer, Biochimica 2020 (8ed.)

Assessment

Oral examination

The examination will take the form of an oral interview consisting of questions on at least three topics covered in the course. The test will aim to test the knowledge acquired and will also assess the ability to relate the various topics covered in the course (descriptors 1 and 2), communication skills (descriptor 4) and the ability to solve problems of a practical nature (descriptors 3 and 5). Answers will also be judged on expository ability and language used as correct and appropriate scientific terminology.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

All teaching material is available online on the Moodle platform accessible from the university website

Attendance

none

Course books

D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox, I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger, Zanichelli 2022 (8 ed.) o 2018 (7 ed.)

Jeremy M Berg John L Tymoczko Gregory J. Gatto Lubert Stryer, Biochimica 2020 (8ed.)

Assessment

Oral examination

The examination will take the form of an oral interview consisting of questions on at least three topics covered in the course. The test will aim to test the knowledge acquired and will also assess the ability to relate the various topics covered in the course (descriptors 1 and 2), communication skills (descriptor 4) and the ability to solve problems of a practical nature (descriptors 3 and 5). Answers will also be judged on expository ability and language used as correct and appropriate scientific terminology.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.