Ateneo - UPO

Definition of proteomics and which are the currently used techniques for protein and proteome analysis, starting from protein sample preparation to successive analyses.
Experimental part: protein extraction and characterization by biochemistry methods.

Lecture notes provided by the teacher, Metodologie biochimiche (Bonaccorsi di Patti, Contestabile, Di Salvo) ed. Zanichelli

The course will present the current methods of biochemical analyses applied to proteins and the proper practice required for a biochemistry laboratory. Furthermore, the course will promote the ability to manage a scientific experiment independently and the competence for a correct analysis and interpretation of the obtained results during the proposed activities.

Basic knowledge of biochemistry.

The course alternates frontal lectures to laboratory experiences, in order to learn the theoretical and practical aspects of the illustrated techniques.

Questions about the program will be asked during the classes to encourage an active discussion of the debated topics and to verify their comprehension.

Written exam. The test includes 15 multiple choice and 5 essay questions, about different arguments of the whole program. The test will evaluate the student’s competences learned during the course and the ability to apply the most suitable techniques to a specific experimental context. The knowledge and the use of a proper scientific language will be evaluated as well. The maximum score for each question will be stated in the test.
The final score will result from the partial scores obtained in the single questions and it is expressed in thirtieth (the passing mark is 18). The consultation of any material is not allowed during the exam.

The proteome and its applications. Techniques of protein extraction from samples of different origin (animal, plant, cell cultures). Techniques of protein fractionation and purification.
Protein separation by electrophoresis. Protein visualization on gel, image acquisition and analysis. Essentials of mass spectrometry applied to proteomics. Spectrophotometry.
Bioinformatic tools for protein analysis.
Practice: protein extraction and separation with gel electrophoresis, enzymatic assays, bioinformatic analyses and database searches.

The student will understand the fundamentals of proteomics and its applications, together with the use of a scientific terminology.
At the end of the course the student will know the techniques of manipulation and analysis of protein-containing samples proposed during the course, and be able to choose the most suitable for the analysis of specific kind of samples.
The student should demonstrate critical thinking abilities applied to proteomics-biochemistry topics
Knowledge of a proper scientific language and rational discussion of proteomics-biochemistry topics.
Productive use of the educational tools for an individual study and in-depth analysis of the presented topics.