METABOLIC BIOCHEMISTRY

METABOLIC BIOCHEMISTRY

Academic year 2015/2016

Sommario del corso

• Course objectives
• Results of learning outcomes
• Course delivery
• Learning assessment methods
• Support activities
• Program
• Suggested textbooks and readings
• Teaching tools

Course objectives

The course aims to provide students with organ-specific and advanced biochemistry by studying the biosynthesis and degradation of specific molecules and cofactors with high impact on metabolic balance, medicine and pharmacology. Furthermore, it aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlining metabolic and hormonal regulation. In the last part, specific metabolic pathways from different organisms will be studied to understand how they are exploited for biotechnological applications.

Results of learning outcomes

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING. Chemical/biochemical aspects: the students will be able to master advanced biochemical concepts; must be able to understand how metabolic regulation is key to life; will learn how some metabolic pathways can be exploited for biotechnological applications.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING. Advanced biochemical, molecular and biotechnological methodologies. 

Course delivery

The course consists of frontal lectures (48 hours in class). Frequency to in-class lessons is optional (and highly recommended). 

Learning assessment methods

The final grade consists of a written exam with 3 questions, each one counting 1/3 of the final grade.

The possible questions are published in the teaching material of the course.

Students should gain a sufficient grade (18 or more) on all the three questions in order to pass the exam.

The examination committee, if necessary, reserves the right to verify the preparation of the student with an oral exam, before registration of final grade.

Support activities

Support activities are organized on the Moodle e-learning platform (http://biologia.i-learn.unito.it/ ).

Program

Part 1. Advanced metabolic biochemistry.

1-    Tissue - specific metabolic regulation.

2-    Iron metabolism.

3-    Amino acid metabolism: biosynthesis of amino acids.

4-    Metabolism molecule derived from amino acids : porphyrins and heme.

5-    Protein metabolism; sorting protein destiny, chaperones and folding, protein degradation, diseases linked to proteostasis.

6-    Metabolism of xenobiotics: Phase I and Phase II

Part 2. Mtabolic and hormonal regulation

1-    Hormones: classification, structure and function. Hormone receptors, signal transduction and metabolic effects.

2-    The hormonal regulation

3-    Steroid and steroid hormones : biosynthesis and regulation . Role and regulation in the endocrine and neuroendocrine .

Part 3. Applied biochemistry

1-    Microbial metabolism and fermentation: potential applications

2-    Production of biofuels

3-    Detoxification of pollutants

David L. Nelson, Albert L. Lehninger, Lehninger principles of biochemistry.

Robert K. Murray, David A. Bender, Kathleen M. Botham, Peter J. Kennelly, Victor W. Rodwell, P. Anthony Weil. Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry 

Slides and notes of the lectures. 

Recent reviews and reserach papers indicated during the lectures and available on the Moodle e-learning platform (http://biologia.i-learn.unito.it/ ).

Class schedule

• Teaching materials
• Exams and finals
• Go to Moodle
• Visit the forums