INTEGRATED COURSE OF ADVANCED BIOCHEMISTRY - Cell biochemistry

Degree course: 
Corso di First cycle degree in BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Academic year when starting the degree: 
2021/2022
Year: 
2
Academic year in which the course will be held: 
2022/2023
Course type: 
Compulsory subjects, characteristic of the class
Language: 
Italian
Credits: 
6
Period: 
Second semester
Standard lectures hours: 
48
Detail of lecture’s hours: 
Lesson (48 hours)
Requirements: 

The students participating to this course should possess good knowledge of basic Biochemistry, especially related to the structural and functional properties of the proteins, and of the molecular bases of functioning of the organisms.

Final Examination: 
Orale

The exam consists in an oral examination focused on the discussion of specific topis related to the three main parts of the overall programme. The final score is given in 30ies and the minimum score to pass the exam is 18/30.

Assessment: 
Voto Finale

The course is aimed to introduce the student into the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the biological processes at the cellular level. The course will provide the knowledge concerning the scientific approaches and methodologies e to investigate proteins at the cellular level. The students are pushed to link the information on the single protein with the cell regulation. The final aim is to allow students to critically evaluate scientific investigations related to the correlation between the physiological and/or pathological alteration and the molecular event.

Learning outcomes:
- acquisition of fundamental elements at molecular level concerning protein structure-function relationships
- ability to seize the structure-function relationships, even from a regulative, pathophysiological and genetic point of view.
- acquire the required information (theoretical and experimental) to carry out a molecular investigation at the cellular level
- ability to apply the knowledge in the field of biochemistry and molecular cell biology
- ability to evaluate experimental data and to propose the most suitable scientific approach
- ability to evaluate the teaching and the ethical and economic issues related to the programme.
- ability to identify and express relevant information
- demonstrate effective communication skills by practicing, reading, writing and speaking clearly (even in English)
- demonstrate the ability to resume and present/disseminate the scientific information.
- ability to read, understand and criticize a scientific text of cell biochemistry (in English)
- ability to use these knowledge to evaluate the aims and/or the results of a research project both on the qualitative and quantitative point of view.

The course consists of 48 hours of lectures. In the first part, a detailed view of the protein metabolism will be presented. During the second part, an integrated view of cellular metabolism, cell growth and division will be given, with particular attention to the molecular bases of protein functionality in the cell, to cell signaling and to different level of cell regulation.
In detail, the following topics will be discussed:
1. Structure-function relationships in proteins: protein structure, structural proteins, immunoglobulins
2. Regulation of protein functionality: protein folding, post-translational modifications and cell trafficking, protein degradation (with some pathological examples)
3. Protein and cell regulation: membrane proteins (with focus on receptors); G proteins and kinase proteins, cell cycle, structure and function of CDK; apoptosis and cell death.

Convenzionale

The course consists of 48 hours of lectures (24 lectures) with the use of Power Point presentations. The presentations will be available on e-learning platform. Papers from international scientific literature will be employed as integration to specific topics.

The students can meet the professor by appointment (e-mail to: luciano.piubelli@uninsubria.it)

Professors