ID:
500431
Duration (hours):
87.5
CFU:
7
SSD:
BIOCHIMICA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (23/02/2026 - 05/06/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge of biochemistry required to understand the structure and function of biological molecules, the organization of supramolecular structures and the main cellular metabolic processes. Particular emphasis will be placed on metabolic pathways involved in energy production, their interconnections, biosynthetic pathways and the mechanisms regulating metabolism and biological information transfer.
Knowledge and understanding.
At the end of the course students are expected to understand the relationship between structure and function in biological molecules and the chemical transformations occurring during catabolic and anabolic processes. They should also understand the main mechanisms of metabolic regulation and the signalling pathways that coordinate metabolic pathways and gene expression.
Applying knowledge and understanding.
Students should be able to integrate the acquired knowledge to interpret the main cellular metabolic processes and apply it to the understanding of the molecular basis of physiological and pathological conditions.
Making judgements.
Students should be able to critically analyse biochemical processes regulating cellular metabolism and genetic information expression.
Communication skills.
Students should be able to clearly describe the main biochemical processes using appropriate scientific terminology.
Learning skills.
Students should develop independent learning skills in the study of biochemistry and its applications in biomedical sciences.
Knowledge and understanding.
At the end of the course students are expected to understand the relationship between structure and function in biological molecules and the chemical transformations occurring during catabolic and anabolic processes. They should also understand the main mechanisms of metabolic regulation and the signalling pathways that coordinate metabolic pathways and gene expression.
Applying knowledge and understanding.
Students should be able to integrate the acquired knowledge to interpret the main cellular metabolic processes and apply it to the understanding of the molecular basis of physiological and pathological conditions.
Making judgements.
Students should be able to critically analyse biochemical processes regulating cellular metabolism and genetic information expression.
Communication skills.
Students should be able to clearly describe the main biochemical processes using appropriate scientific terminology.
Learning skills.
Students should develop independent learning skills in the study of biochemistry and its applications in biomedical sciences.
Course Prerequisites
Understanding the topics covered in this course requires basic knowledge of general chemistry, organic chemistry and biology acquired during the prerequisite courses of the degree programme.
Teaching Methods
The course consists of in-class lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations. Lecture slides, the detailed course syllabus and additional information will be made available on the KIRO teaching platform.
Upon request, the instructors are available to provide clarification and further explanations on the topics covered during the lectures.
Upon request, the instructors are available to provide clarification and further explanations on the topics covered during the lectures.
Assessment Methods
Student assessment consists of a written examination including multiple-choice and open-ended questions covering the topics addressed in the modules of Elements of Biochemistry, Cellular Biochemistry, Cellular Biochemistry A and Cellular Biochemistry B. The duration of the examination is 90 minutes.
During the exam, students’ ability to integrate the knowledge acquired across the different modules of the course will be evaluated, as well as the achievement of the learning objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding of the topics covered. The assessment will also consider clarity of explanation and the appropriate use of scientific terminology.
During the exam, students’ ability to integrate the knowledge acquired across the different modules of the course will be evaluated, as well as the achievement of the learning objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding of the topics covered. The assessment will also consider clarity of explanation and the appropriate use of scientific terminology.
Texts
D. Nelson, M. Cox. I principi di biochimica di Lehninger (Zanichelli, settima edizione).
J. Berg, J. Tymoczko, G.J. Gatto, L. Stryer Biochimica (Zanichelli, ottava edizione).
Donald Voet, Judith G. Voet, Charlotte W. Pratt. Fondamenti di Biochimica (Zanichelli).
Thomas Devlin Biochimica con aspetti clinici (EdiSES).
M Lieberman, A Marks, Biochimica Medica, un approccio clinico (Zanichelli, seconda edizione).
For further studies:
Watson et al. Biologia Molecolare del Gene (Zanichelli).
Petsko, Ringe. Struttura e funzione delle proteine (Zanichelli).
Alberts et al. Biologia Molecolare della cellula (Zanichelli).
Duranti. Introduzione allo studio delle proteine (Zanichelli).
All textbooks are available for consultation/loan at Biblioteca delle Scienze: http://biblioteche.unipv.it/home/biblioteche/biblioteca-delle-scienze Biblioteca.dellescienze@unipv.it
J. Berg, J. Tymoczko, G.J. Gatto, L. Stryer Biochimica (Zanichelli, ottava edizione).
Donald Voet, Judith G. Voet, Charlotte W. Pratt. Fondamenti di Biochimica (Zanichelli).
Thomas Devlin Biochimica con aspetti clinici (EdiSES).
M Lieberman, A Marks, Biochimica Medica, un approccio clinico (Zanichelli, seconda edizione).
For further studies:
Watson et al. Biologia Molecolare del Gene (Zanichelli).
Petsko, Ringe. Struttura e funzione delle proteine (Zanichelli).
Alberts et al. Biologia Molecolare della cellula (Zanichelli).
Duranti. Introduzione allo studio delle proteine (Zanichelli).
All textbooks are available for consultation/loan at Biblioteca delle Scienze: http://biblioteche.unipv.it/home/biblioteche/biblioteca-delle-scienze Biblioteca.dellescienze@unipv.it
Contents
The course covers the main aspects of structural and metabolic biochemistry. Topics include the structure and properties of proteins, with particular emphasis on amino acids, the peptide bond and the different levels of protein structural organization, as well as protein denaturation and folding. Structure–function relationships will be illustrated through the study of myoglobin and hemoglobin and the main classes of fibrous proteins.
The course will also address the structure and biological role of carbohydrates, including storage and structural polysaccharides and glycoconjugates such as glycoproteins and glycolipids. The main classes of biological lipids will also be discussed, including storage and structural lipids, lipoproteins and fat-soluble vitamins.
The course will introduce the principles of enzymatic catalysis, including enzyme kinetics, regulation of enzyme activity and allosteric mechanisms. The mechanisms of action of major enzymatic cofactors, including TPP, NAD, FAD, PLP, biotin, lipoate and coenzyme A, will also be discussed.
Principles of bioenergetics and thermodynamics in biological systems will be presented, with particular emphasis on ATP and high-energy intermediates and on biological oxidation–reduction reactions. The main pathways of energy metabolism will then be examined, including the citric acid cycle, the respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
The course will also cover carbohydrate metabolism, including glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, the pentose phosphate pathway and glycogen metabolism; lipid metabolism, including fatty acid oxidation, biosynthesis of fatty acids, triglycerides and membrane phospholipids, cholesterol biosynthesis and ketogenesis; and amino acid metabolism, including amino acid catabolism, the urea cycle, phenylalanine metabolism and catecholamine biosynthesis.
Finally, nucleotide metabolism will be discussed, including the biosynthesis of ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides, as well as the integration of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism with particular reference to the mechanisms regulating glucose homeostasis.
For selected topics of particular relevance and scientific interest, additional in-depth activities will include the presentation and discussion of research articles from international scientific journals by the students.
The course will also address the structure and biological role of carbohydrates, including storage and structural polysaccharides and glycoconjugates such as glycoproteins and glycolipids. The main classes of biological lipids will also be discussed, including storage and structural lipids, lipoproteins and fat-soluble vitamins.
The course will introduce the principles of enzymatic catalysis, including enzyme kinetics, regulation of enzyme activity and allosteric mechanisms. The mechanisms of action of major enzymatic cofactors, including TPP, NAD, FAD, PLP, biotin, lipoate and coenzyme A, will also be discussed.
Principles of bioenergetics and thermodynamics in biological systems will be presented, with particular emphasis on ATP and high-energy intermediates and on biological oxidation–reduction reactions. The main pathways of energy metabolism will then be examined, including the citric acid cycle, the respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
The course will also cover carbohydrate metabolism, including glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, the pentose phosphate pathway and glycogen metabolism; lipid metabolism, including fatty acid oxidation, biosynthesis of fatty acids, triglycerides and membrane phospholipids, cholesterol biosynthesis and ketogenesis; and amino acid metabolism, including amino acid catabolism, the urea cycle, phenylalanine metabolism and catecholamine biosynthesis.
Finally, nucleotide metabolism will be discussed, including the biosynthesis of ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides, as well as the integration of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism with particular reference to the mechanisms regulating glucose homeostasis.
For selected topics of particular relevance and scientific interest, additional in-depth activities will include the presentation and discussion of research articles from international scientific journals by the students.
Course Language
Italian
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