91024 - Basis of Clinical Molecular Biology

Learning outcomes

The student at the end of the course: - knows the biochemical and metabolic processes characteristic of the main organs, with references to the biochemical defects that underlie the corresponding metabolic diseases; - knows the different mechanisms of regulation and the different functionality of metabolic processes in different tissues; - acquires an overall vision of the metabolic homeostasis processes, introducing more advanced concepts such as process integration, control of complex systems and integration between reductionist and holistic approach. - acquires knowledge and skills in general, applied and clinical biochemistry, and molecular biology, for the purpose of understanding the molecules of biological interest, the mechanisms of metabolic activities and the molecular mechanisms of biological phenomena, also in relation to the action of drugs; - acquires skills related to the production, analysis and conservation of biological drugs and diagnostics for biological analysis, even first instance analysis, and their use; - acquires multidisciplinary skills useful for the implementation of health education programs, for the performance of first instance analytical services and first aid interventions, for the use of instrumental devices for second level services that can be provided in the pharmacy.

Course contents

Tissue Biochemistry

Liver. Functions and metabolic flexibility. Glucidic metabolism. Lipid metabolism. Protein metabolism. Detossification of xenobiotics. Protection from Oxidative damage. Ethanol metabolism.

Hepatic Glycogenosis, Glucide metabolism disorders (Disorders of galactose and fructose metabolism, Favism)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Interpretation of blood tests: liver function, renal function, lipid profile, complete blood count

Muscle. Skeletal and cardiac muscle metabolism. Bioenergetics: system of energy buffers "phosphocreatine shuttle" model.

Muscle Glycogenosis

Readings/Bibliography

biochemistry text books

D. Voet

J. Voet

C. W. Pratt

ZANICHELLI

specific scientific papers and handouts will be given by the teacher

Teaching methods

frontal lessons

 

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students (including all the international incoming exchange students, i.e. ERASMUS) must attend Module 1, 2 online [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio], while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme ("studiare"--"formazione obbligatoria su sicurezza e salute").

Assessment methods

WRITTEN TEST WITH 25 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS.EACH QUESTION HAS THREE ANSWERS OF WHICH ONLY ONE IS CORRECT. EACH CORRECT ANSWER SCOREs ONE POINT. 25 CORRECT ANSWERS EQUAL PRAISE. THE TIME ALLOCATED TO EACH STUDENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE WRITTEN TEST IS 25 MINUTES. THE QUESTIONS COVER THE WHOLE PROGRAM AND ARE ABOUT 2/3 QUESTIONS TO VERIFY THE TOPICS OF THE PROGRAM AND FOR THE REMAINING 1/3 MORE ARTICULATED QUESTIONS FOR IN-DEPTH CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOPICS COVERED IN LESSON.

Teaching tools

Teaching material such as slides, animations, films used during lessons will be made available to studens. The printable material should be taken by the student to class.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Iotti