The course aims to provide the basic knowledge of the main biochemical methodologies applied in the field of biochemistry, and the applications of these techniques in the study of the structure and function of the main biological macromolecules, also providing the fundamental mechanisms underlying many cellular regulation processes. The course also aims to translate the knowledge of applied biochemistry into the context of clinical biochemistry and laboratory medicine, examining the main clinical laboratory markers for diagnostic and/or prognostic purposes.

PART I:

Introduction to applied biochemistry.
Laboratory setup and equipment.
Cell cultures (primary and secondary cultures, cell lines, and culture methods).
Preliminary procedures for protein purification (tissue homogenization methods; protein precipitation; salting in and salting out; organic solvent precipitation; heat precipitation).
Centrifugal techniques (principles of sedimentation; preparative centrifugation; analytical centrifugation; differential and density gradient centrifugation; ultracentrifuges).
Spectroscopic techniques (Dualism of electromagnetic radiation; interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter; study of biological molecules: general information and definitions. Absorption spectra with examples of spectra of molecules of biochemical interest: proteins, nucleic acids. Lambert-Beer law and quantitative dosages. UV-Vis Absorption Spectroscopy; Fluorescence Spectroscopy).
Chromatographic techniques (General information and definitions. Column and thin layer chromatography; Ion exchange chromatography; molecular exclusion chromatography; affinity chromatography; Adsorption chromatography; Partition chromatography; HPLC).
Electrophoretic techniques (general principles: concept of electrophoretic mobility and relationship between mobility, charge, applied electric field, dimensions. Relationship between isoelectric point and protein mobility. Electrophoresis on cellulose acetate strips and separation of serum proteins, pathological profile; gel electrophoresis of polyacrylamide (SDS-PAGE); Electrotransfer techniques (Western Blot); Isoelectrofocusing; Two-dimensional electrophoresis (applications to the study of the proteome) Electrophoresis of nucleic acids.
Immunochemical techniques (Basics on antigen and antibody. Immunoassay systems based on immunoprecipitation and on the labeling of antigens or antibodies with enzymes (ELISA).

PART II:

Preparation, manipulation, and conservation of biological samples of biomedical interest.
Techniques and biomedical significance of the main clinical biochemical analyses applied in the field of Laboratory Medicine (Hemochromocytometric examination, separation of the fluid portion of the blood from the corpuscular one, erythrocyte, leukocyte and platelet parameters, evaluation of coagulation markers; Urine Analyses: chemical-physical, microscopic, urine culture; Quantitative evaluation and enzyme activity of specific proteins and analytes of importance in hepatic, pancreatic, cardiovascular, cardiac diagnostics).

As reported in the teaching regulations for the master's degree in Pharmacy, students are strongly advised to follow the sequence of the courses laid out in the study plan. Furthermore, in order to allow an adequate teaching and learning process, students have to pass the General and Molecular Biochemistry exam before taking the Applied Medica Biochemistry exam.

D1. Knowledge and understanding: Students must demonstrate adequate mastery of basic knowledge relating to the techniques applied in the field of medical biochemistry and knowledge of the application areas for the identification and practical use of laboratory biomarkers for diagnostic and prognostic purposes.

D2. Applying knowledge and understanding: Students must be able to demonstrate their understanding of the concepts and theories included in the course, and will have to be able to describe the main techniques used for biochemical analyses, know how to apply them on the basis of the type of study/parameter required, evaluate and contextualize the alterations affecting biomarkers in pathophysiological contests.

D3. Making judgements: Students will have to demonstrate their ability to use knowledge and concepts that allow them to reason independently according to the specific logic of the discipline. In particular, Students must be able to understand and identify a process of analytical techniques aimed at studying a specific sample or parameter, and will also have to acquire critical skills on issues related to the loss of homeostasis and the prevention of organ pathologies.

D4. Communication skills: Students must demonstrate the ability to communicate their knowledge in a thorough, precise, and comprehensive manner to people already competent in the field of Applied Medical Biochemistry, as well as demonstrate that they can summarize and simplify the topics in a popular way so as to be understandable even to those who are not experts in the sector, always adopting an adequate and precise terminology.

D5. Learning skills: Students will have to demonstrate the ability to reach conclusions, examples, or parallels autonomously, on the basis of what tehy have learned from the program and on the basis of what they have learned using their own initiatives, by autonomously finding additional sources on biochemical analysis methodologies and on critical evaluation of laboratory biomarkers for diagnostic/prognostic purposes. Students will acquire the ability to interpret and autonomously judge the laboratory data, in order to apply the acquired knowledge in the practice of the profession.

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

No supporting activities.

Teaching

Frontal lessons.

Innovative teaching methods

Frontal lessons may be enriched with some innovative teaching methods, which will be proposed to the class and selected between the DEBATE or FLIPPED CLASSROOM forms based on the feedback from the students.

Attendance

Attendance of frontal lessons is strongly recommended.

Course books

The student may use one of the following texts of her/his choice for the first part of the programme:

Metodologie biochimiche e biomolecolari. M. Maccarrone. Zanichelli.

Metodologie biochimiche - Espressione, purificazione e caratterizzazione delle proteine. di Bonaccorsi Di Patti, Contestabile, Di Salvo. Zanichelli.

The student may use one of the following texts of her/his choice for the second part of the programme:

Elementi di Biochimica Clinica e Medicina di Laboratorio. M. Ciaccio. Edises.

Biochimica Clinica Essenziale. Albi, Beccari, Cataldi. Zanichelli.

Assessment

The assessment of the achievement of the course objectives (according to the Dublin descriptors) is based on an oral exam, carried out through at least 3 questions concerning the topics of the course to assess the knowledge, understanding of the scientific discipline, and ability to apply and coordinate the acquired knowledge.

The evaluation is expressed in thirtieths (minimum mark 18/30, maximum mark 30/30 cum laude).

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.

Attendance

Identical to that of attending students.

Course books

Identical to that of attending students.

Assessment

Identical to that of attending students.

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.