ID:
500191
Duration (hours):
51
CFU:
6
SSD:
BIOCHIMICA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Primo Semestre (29/09/2025 - 16/01/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
Educational objectives: The main objective of the course is to study the basic and advanced aspects of biochemistry. Particular emphasis will be given to: aspects more closely related to applied biochemistry in bioengineering contexts. Content: The course will provide students with an understanding of the structural features of most relevant macromolecules, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids to understand structure-function relationships of biomacromolecules. It will describe the key principles of structure and kinetics, and the regulation of enzymes. It will illustrate the basis for understanding molecular mechanisms of cellular macromolecules. The molecular mechanisms of biological recognition will be explained. Additionally, the primary mechanisms of signalling and physical stimulation in relation to cell adhesion and proliferation will be demonstrated. Particular focus will be given to the biology, physiology and pathology of bone tissue, as well as therapeutic treatments in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Finally, laboratory activities will conclude the students' preparation.
Course Prerequisites
The basic prerequisites for being able to take the Biochmimicry course and fully understand its significance are passing the General Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry exams.
Teaching Methods
The lectures consist of power point presentations in both Italian and English. In addition, videos illustrating the fundamental concepts of biochemistry are also provided. Finally, the experience obtained with short laboratory exercises allows the student to begin to understand the experimental settings in the biological field
Assessment Methods
Written exam consisting of questions relating to both the lectures and the laboratory experience. There are no ongoing tests. The test is considered passed with a grade of NO less than 18/30. Appropriate testing arrangements will be made for students who fall within the categories of Specific Learning Disabilities (SAD) and Special Educational Needs (SED).
Texts
-Le basi della biochimica. Con Contenuto digitale (fornito elettronicamente) (Italiano) di Denise R. Ferrier, Zanichelli; -I principi di biochimica di Lehninger. Con e-book David L. Nelson,Michael M. Cox, zanichelli; -Fondamenti di biochimica. Con e-book Donald Voet,Judith G. Voet,Charlotte W. Pratt, Zanichelli; -Harper's. Biochimica illustrata. Ediz. illustrata Robert K. Murray,David A. Bender,Kathleen M. Botham, EMSI
Contents
The Biochemistry module is divided into two parts, each worth 3CFUs and taught by two different lecturers. An experimental laboratory activity involving the extraction of proteins from cell cultures, the assay of proteins, and their separation by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis is also planned. -Prof. LIVIA VISAI • CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS, FUNCTIONS, STRUCTURE AND METABOLIC ROLE OF THE MAIN BIOMOLECULES (sugars, lipids, amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, and their derivatives); • THE MECHANISMS OF PRODUCTION OF METABOLIC ENERGY AND THE ENERGY AND STRUCTURAL HOMEOSTASIS OF THE LIVING (General aspects, anabolism and catabolism, coupled reactions, high-energy compounds. Principles of bioenergetics. Structure and function of ATP, the mechanisms of production of ATP The main coenzymes involved in the metabolic pathways Anaerobiosis and aerobiosis The role of oxygen in metabolism ROS (production of reactive oxygen species and defense systems of the organism) Glutathione. • METABOLIC INTERRELATIONS WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE BIO-MEDICAL FIELD (Metabolic inter-relationships between the various organs. Fasting-nutrition cycle. Hormonal regulation. Mechanism of action of protein and steroid hormones. The meaning of the second messengers. Biochemical aspects of human pathologies: diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, cancer (notes); The extracellular matrix). -Prof NORA BLOISE • Signal transduction: • Phases of the signal transduction process • The fundamental characteristics of signal transduction systems • The main signal transduction systems • The G protein coupled receptor and transduction (effectors and second messengers) • The enzyme receptors • The controlled ion channels • The intracellular receptors • Cells - physical factors interaction: • The adhesion receptors and their main characteristics • Cell interaction - biophysical factors: signal transduction mechanism. • Mechanosensors: integrins and signal transduction • Physical and mechanical stimuli and their applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering • Main biochemical techniques for the study of signal transduction
Course Language
Italian
More information
Internship places are available to carry out an experimental thesis of at least 1 year for students who have successfully passed the biochemistry exam. Students are requested to write for further information to the following email address: visai.bioingegneria@unipv.it
Degrees
Degrees
BIOENGINEERING
Master’s Degree
2 years
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People
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