The students will be presented with a comprehensive course on protein biochemistry, from protein synthesis, rudiments of protein folding and structure, translation regulation and, most importantly, protein sorting and vesicular trafficking, with some detour to deal with unusual topics such as selenoproteins, cholesterol metabolism, cancer cytogenetics. Students will become familiar with cellular molecular processes that are the subject of intense investigation in frontier research in cell biology. Students who attended this course will be ready to engage without problems in a PhD course should they intend to proceed further in the research field.
Prerequisiti
Students should have a solid background in chemistry and biochemistry because some of the questions at the exam will deal with molecular structures and metabolic pathways.
Metodi didattici
The course is based on original lectures prepared by the teacher by integrating reference textbook material with state-of-the art research in each given topic. Lecture slides will be provided to the students for their preparation to the exam. Whenever possible, the course will be in part taught by a visiting professor who will deal mainly with biological membranes, membrane transport systems, and microscopy techniques applied to the study of biochemical processes. Additional support and teaching aids will be guaranteed exclusively to students belonging to specific categories defined by the University governance (working students, disabled, caregivers, etc.), who will not be able to attend the lessons in presence.
Verifica Apprendimento
WRITTEN EXAM, with “multiple choice”, “true/false”, “matching terms with definitions”, and “open” types of questions, followed by an ORAL EXAM.
Testi
1) Lecture slides. 2) Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, Raff M, Roberts K, Walter P: Molecular Biology of the Cell. 7th ed. Garland Science, 2022. 3) Voet D, Voet JG: Biochemistry. Wiley, 2010.
Contenuti
Protein synthesis and its regulation. Selenoproteins. Protein structure: overview of the main types of structural domains. Protein folding and molecular chaperones. Mechanisms and regulation of protein sorting and transport. Post-translational modifications of proteins. Protein turnover and degradation. Biological membranes. Membrane proteins. Membrane transport including ion channels. Exploring cellular biochemistry by imaging methods: Principles and Examples. Biochemistry of subcellular structures: cell organelles. Membrane trafficking and recycling. Cell signaling: pathways of signal transduction, signaling molecules, receptors. Programmed cell-death.
Lingua Insegnamento
Inglese
Altre informazioni
Students are strongly encouraged to follow classes, including the ones taught by the visiting professor, throughout the course.