Learning Objectives
Biochemistry for the cultural heritage course has the objective of providing the basic knowledge for understanding the structure, properties and functions of molecules together with the metabolic mechanisms involved in cellular functionality. The course also provides an integrated knowledge for the comprehension of the molecular bases of the most important materials utilized for cultural heritage objects and their restoration. Particular attention will be paid to bio-deterioration.

1.     Introduction to Biochemistry: Living organisms

2.     Water, Carbon and Functional groups. Chemical bonds, macromolecules.

3.     Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates: Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, Oligosaccharides and Polysaccharides. Glycosidic bond. Polyalcohols, Amino sugars, Starch, Glycogen, Cellulose, Chitin, Glycosaminoglycans, Proteoglycans

4.     Lipids: Fatty acids, Glycerides, Non-glycerides, Steroids. Foreign bond. Glycolipids. Structure and function of the plasma membrane. Saponification. Rancidity.

5.     Protein: Amino acids, classification, peptide bond. Proteins. Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins. Physico-chemical characteristics, denaturation. Keratin, Collagen, Fibroin

6.     Enzymes: Classification, Enzymatic kinetics, Mechanisms of action, Regulation, Classification, Hydrolase

7.     Nucleic Acids: Nucleotides, DNA and RNA, DNA duplication and transcription, Genetic code.

8.     Metabolism and bioenergetics: Thermodynamics of biological systems, ATP, protein synthesis. Molecular biology.

9.     Prokaryote and Eukaryote cells

10.  Materials of Polysaccaride origin: Wood, Paper, Vegetable Fibers and Fabrics, Glues, Polysaccharide Gelling Agents, Vegetable Gums

11.  Materials of Lipid origin: Oils, Surfactants and Waxes

12.  Materials of Protein Origin: Silk, Wool, Parchment, Glue, Use of enzymes in the restoration

13.  Biocenosis. Ecosystems. Classification of living organisms, Water, temperature, light, physical and chemical factors. Biodeterioration of the above materials and possible remedies

14.  Use of data banks for bibliographic purposes. Bibliography

Organic Chemistry

The student will have to show competence in the basic understanding of the structure e function of the principal macromolecules with particular reference to the materials utilized in the cultural heritage.
The student will have to comprehend the concepts and the theories presented in the course; and be able to analyse the overall role of macromolecules of cultural heritage interest; the student will also have to be capable of identifying both criticalities and strong points in the workings of biochemistry.

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

Presentation slides used during lessons will be provided but this material will not be sufficient for completing the necessary study.

Teaching

The course comprises face-to-face lessons for teaching as well as for gaining insight into the creation of up-to-date biographies.

Innovative teaching methods

Students are encouraged to find a topic of interest to them, carry out a bibliographic search, select some articles to use for a Power Point presentation and develop a written text. The material presented will be evaluated to pass the exam. The topics presented will be uploaded to the blended and will be an exam topic for  students who have not joined the project

Attendance

Attendance to teaching activities is mandatory.

Course books

Please contact me for an alternative bibliography

Assessment

Part of the course will be taught in English. The student can request to sit the final exam in English with an alternative bibliography.

The examination is oral and begins with a question of the student's choice

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.