ID:
508327
Duration (hours):
60
CFU:
6
SSD:
BIOCHIMICA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 12/06/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The main aim of the course is to provide the basic knowledges about structure and function of enzymes. The fundamentals of enzyme catalysis, the main mechanisms of action and regulation of enzymes, as well as their possible biotechnological applications and strategies for optimising their use will be explained. The laboratory module will also provide practical training in the methodological basis and the main approaches for studying enzymes.
Course Prerequisites
For a clear understanding of the structural and functional properties of proteins and enzymes, the knowledge of the principal bases of biochemistry is required.
Teaching Methods
The General Enzymology module will be conducted through lectures, while the Laboratory module will be carried out through a series of experiments conducted in teaching laboratories, accompanied by short theoretical lectures on applied techniques. The presentations and any supplementary materials will later be made available to students in the teaching section on the KIRO platform. In addition, for students who fall into specific categories identified by the university (e.g., students with disabilities, caregivers, working students) integrative teaching modes will be provided.
Assessment Methods
The assessment of learning will be in written form and will generally include
the solution of 1 or 2 exercises on enzyme kinetics and a series of open questions including: a question on the work carried out in the laboratory (both on the theoretical aspects of the experiments performed and on the methodology), a question on the role and mechanisms of action of enzymes, a question on the main regulatory mechanisms of enzymes and a question on the application aspects of enzymes.
The duration of the examination is 2 hours: the use of a calculator is permitted during the examination.
the solution of 1 or 2 exercises on enzyme kinetics and a series of open questions including: a question on the work carried out in the laboratory (both on the theoretical aspects of the experiments performed and on the methodology), a question on the role and mechanisms of action of enzymes, a question on the main regulatory mechanisms of enzymes and a question on the application aspects of enzymes.
The duration of the examination is 2 hours: the use of a calculator is permitted during the examination.
Texts
I aGeneral Enzymology (3 CFU)
Lesson notes.
Texts: the same ones used for Biochemistry nd II courses (chapters about the biochemistry of enzymes).
Laboratory of Applied Enzymology (3 CFUs)
Lesson notes and provided material.
Reference texts for possible integrations: I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger (Nelson e Cox), Fondamenti di Biochimica (Voet, Voet, Pratt)
Lesson notes.
Texts: the same ones used for Biochemistry nd II courses (chapters about the biochemistry of enzymes).
Laboratory of Applied Enzymology (3 CFUs)
Lesson notes and provided material.
Reference texts for possible integrations: I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger (Nelson e Cox), Fondamenti di Biochimica (Voet, Voet, Pratt)
Contents
General Enzymology (3 CFU)
Structure and function relationship of the enzymes. Lock and key model, and induced fit model. Enzyme classification.Catalysis strategies: proximity and orientation, induced fit, covalent nucleophilic catalysis, general and specific acid-base catalysis. Structure and mechanism of action of lysozyme, chymotrypsine, carbonic anhydrase, adenylate kinase. Enzyme kinetics: determination of the initial velocity (Vo), steady-state theory, Michaelis-Menten equation, Lineweaver-Burk method for Vmax and Km determination. Enzyme inhibition: competitive and non competitive inhibition. Enzyme activity regulation: effects of pH and temperature; allosteric enzymes, sequential transition and concerted transition models, homotropic and heterotropic effects. Covalent regulation of enzymes. Isoenzymes.
Laboratory of Applied Enzymology (3 CFU)
Method of extraction, purification and characterization of the enzymes. The laboratory experience consists in the purification of an enzyme, and in the characterization of its main kinetic properties. The main technique approached are: preparation of buffers and solution; chromatographic techniques for protein purification, centrifugation, electrophoresis, protein and enzymatic assays, biochemical calculations for the determination of the kinetic parameters. The aim of this module is to provide the main knowledge and skill for enzyme investigation, and to understand the potential of enzyme catalysis in industrial and biomedical applications. The different biochemical techniques will be approached both theoretically and practically.
Structure and function relationship of the enzymes. Lock and key model, and induced fit model. Enzyme classification.Catalysis strategies: proximity and orientation, induced fit, covalent nucleophilic catalysis, general and specific acid-base catalysis. Structure and mechanism of action of lysozyme, chymotrypsine, carbonic anhydrase, adenylate kinase. Enzyme kinetics: determination of the initial velocity (Vo), steady-state theory, Michaelis-Menten equation, Lineweaver-Burk method for Vmax and Km determination. Enzyme inhibition: competitive and non competitive inhibition. Enzyme activity regulation: effects of pH and temperature; allosteric enzymes, sequential transition and concerted transition models, homotropic and heterotropic effects. Covalent regulation of enzymes. Isoenzymes.
Laboratory of Applied Enzymology (3 CFU)
Method of extraction, purification and characterization of the enzymes. The laboratory experience consists in the purification of an enzyme, and in the characterization of its main kinetic properties. The main technique approached are: preparation of buffers and solution; chromatographic techniques for protein purification, centrifugation, electrophoresis, protein and enzymatic assays, biochemical calculations for the determination of the kinetic parameters. The aim of this module is to provide the main knowledge and skill for enzyme investigation, and to understand the potential of enzyme catalysis in industrial and biomedical applications. The different biochemical techniques will be approached both theoretically and practically.
Course Language
Italian
More information
Students are required to bring a lab coat to wear during the experiments.
Degrees
Degrees
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
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