Unit BIOCHEMICAL FUNDAMENTALS PREPARATORY TO PROCESS AND PRODUCT WITH LABORATORY
- Course
- Methodologies for product and process
- Study-unit Code
- A004788
- Curriculum
- In all curricula
- Teacher
- Francesco Morena
- CFU
- 9
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2024
- Offered
- 2024/25
- Type of study-unit
- Obbligatorio (Required)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa integrata
BIOCHEMICAL FUNDAMENTALS PREPARATORY TO PROCESS AND PRODUCT
| Code | A004613 |
|---|---|
| CFU | 6 |
| Teacher | Francesco Morena |
| Teachers |
|
| Hours |
|
| Learning activities | Affine/integrativa |
| Area | Attività formative affini o integrative |
| Academic discipline | BIO/10 |
| Type of study-unit | Obbligatorio (Required) |
| Language of instruction | Italian |
| Contents | - Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Introduction to the major biological molecules and their functions (nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates). - Protein Structure and Function: Understanding how the three-dimensional structure of proteins determines their function, exploring topics such as enzymology, catalytic mechanisms, and protein interactions. - Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics: In-depth understanding of enzyme mechanisms, including enzyme kinetics, enzyme inhibition, and the regulation of enzyme activity. - Metabolism and Metabolic Pathways: Detailed analysis of major metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, lipid synthesis and degradation, and amino acid metabolism. - Membrane Biochemistry: Understanding the composition and function of biological membranes, including membrane transport and transmembrane signaling. |
| Reference texts | Voet, Voet, Pratt. Fondamenti di biochimica. Ed. Zanichelli L. Pollegioni. Fondamenti di Biochimica. Ed. EDISES |
| Educational objectives | The learning objectives for this biochemistry course focus on providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the molecular structures, reactions, and processes that govern life at the cellular and molecular levels. Ultimately, the goal is for students to not only gain a solid theoretical foundation but also develop the ability to apply this knowledge to solve practical problems, thereby preparing them for further studies or their future professional careers upon completion of the course. |
| Prerequisites | The student must have knowledge of Biology. Additionally, knowledge of Chemistry and Organic Chemistry is extremely useful. |
| Teaching methods | The course will consist of lectures delivered in a traditional classroom setting, covering the topics outlined in the syllabus. Lectures will be enhanced by slide presentations and video materials. |
| Other information | It is planned a tutorial activity during the course and for students who request help for the preparation of the exam. The student reception dates are decided upon with the students. |
| Learning verification modality | Written and oral exam. The exam grade will be given by the average of the two tests. For information on support services for students with disabilities and / or SLD, visit the page http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa |
| Extended program | Amino acids. Structure and function of proteins; fibrous and globular proteins. Hemoglobin and myoglobin. Enzymes: general principles of enzymatic catalysis; enzyme kinetics; mechanisms of inhibition and regulation of enzymatic activity. Storage and structural lipids. Molecular constituents and supramolecular architecture of biological membranes. Introduction to metabolism. Principles of bioenergetics and biological oxidoreductions (redox coenzymes). High-energy compounds (ATP). Glycolysis. Beta-oxidation of fatty acids. Tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle). Electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. Gluconeogenesis. Fatty acid biosynthesis. Overview of amino acid metabolism: glucogenic and ketogenic amino acids; deamination of amino acids. Urea cycle. |
BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY
| Code | 55056103 |
|---|---|
| CFU | 3 |
| Teacher | Francesco Morena |
| Teachers |
|
| Hours |
|
| Learning activities | Altro |
| Area | Altre conoscenze utili per l'inserimento nel mondo del lavoro |
| Academic discipline | NN |
| Type of study-unit | Obbligatorio (Required) |
| Language of instruction | Italian |
| Contents | Knowledge and Comprehension: -Understanding the theoretical principles behind the main biochemical methodologies; -Spectroscopic techniques; -Chromatographic techniques; -Electrophoretic techniques; -Use of antibodies. Practical Skills: -Ability to use independently the main laboratory instruments for biochemical analysis. -Ability to prepare biological samples for various biochemical analyses. -Ability to correctly apply experimental protocols and laboratory safety regulations. -Ability to collect, analyze, and process data obtained from experiments. -Ability to present results clearly and concisely, both in written and oral form. |
| Reference texts | Maria Carmela Bonaccorsi di Patti, Roberto Contestabile, Martino Luigi Di Salvo. Metodologie biochimiche. Zanichelli |
| Educational objectives | The course aims to provide students with a solid theoretical and practical knowledge of the main methodologies used for the identification, isolation, and structural and functional analysis of biological macromolecules. It also aims to provide the intellectual tools necessary to analyze the results obtained and to describe them effectively. |
| Prerequisites | Solid foundations in Biochemistry, Biology, and Chemistry are required, along with knowledge pertaining to the basic structure of proteins and enzymes. |
| Teaching methods | Practical laboratory lessons with slide and video projections. |
| Other information | It is planned a tutorial activity during the course and for students who request help for the preparation of the exam. The student reception dates are decided upon with the students. |
| Learning verification modality | Oral exam. For information on support services for students with disabilities and / or SLD, visit the page http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa |
| Extended program | Basic elements for safety and the conduct of laboratory activities in biochemistry. In vivo and in vitro studies. pH and buffers. Choosing a buffer for biological experimentation. Isolation and purification of subcellular components. Choosing the biological system. Engineering proteins for purification. Cellular fractionation (methods for breaking cells and tissues). Centrifugation and separation by centrifugation. Basic principles of sedimentation. Centrifuges and their use. Rotors. Methods of separation in preparative centrifugation. Dialysis. Spectroscopic techniques for the identification and quantification of biological macromolecules and biological samples (UV-Visible spectroscopy, fluorescence, RAMAN, circular dichroism, infrared spectroscopy). Chromatographic methods for the determination of biological macromolecules and biological samples (particularly adsorption chromatography, partition chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, affinity chromatography, and hydrophobic interaction chromatography). Electrophoretic techniques. Classification of electrophoretic methods. Immunochemistry, principles and techniques. Quantitative determination of proteins. Methods for determining enzymatic activity. Examples of designing and conducting practical experiments based on the main techniques of separation, identification, and characterization of macromolecules. |