Ateneo - UPO

Bioenergetics in mitochondria. Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. Carbohydrate metabolism. Lipid metabolism. Protein metabolism. Nucleotide metabolism. Heme metabolism. ROS and cytochromes P450. Insulin and glucagon. Hypothalamic-pituitary axis and gut-brain axis. Integration of metabolism.

•Devlin. LA BIOCHIMICA -EdiSES. Complete and clear it presents the topics in a different order from what will be followed in the course. •Berg, Tymozcko, Gatto,Stryer. BIOCHIMICA -Zanichelli. Clear and systematic, not exclusively medical. •Nelson Cox. PRINCIPI DI BIOCHIMICA DI LEHNINGER - Zanichelli Well done, not exclusively medical. •Campbell, Farrel. BIOCHIMICA - Edises. Well done, not medical. •Appling, Anthony-Cahill, Mathews. BIOCHIMICA Molecole e metabolismo – Pearson. As the previous one (Campbell) it describes the main topics, clear, not medical, flowing.

The course belongs to the basic biomedical sciences. Its objectives are to understand and explain at the molecular, subcellular, cellular and tissue level the biochemical mechanisms involved in the processes of: digestion, absorption, transport, storage, catabolism, interconversions, excretion, biosynthesis of: carbohydrates, amino acids and proteins, lipids, nucleotides, heme group, also in relation to different functional states of the organism.The course aims to develop skills enabling the analysis of individuals' biochemical-metabolic status, including in the context of specific pathological cases.

Having attended the courses in chemistry and introductory biochemistry, biology and biochemistry I.

Lectures with slides and scientific articles provided by the lecturer.
Lessons on DIR elearning platform
Reference websites.

The control of learning in itinere is carried out through critical discussion of the program's topics and periodic tests provided to students with subsequent resolution in the classroom and/or on DIR.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Ongoing self-assessment tests are scheduled. The final assessment consists of two written exams (Biochemistry 1 and Molecular Biology)—comprising multiple-choice questions administered via PC, potentially including one or more open-ended questions—followed by an oral exam (Biochemistry 2). The grade for the written exams is calculated based on the percentage of correct answers out of the total number of questions; this may be supplemented by a "bonus" based on research activities and guided discussions undertaken by students during the course, as well as results from activities on the DIR platform. Written exam grades for the Biochemistry 1 and Molecular Biology modules remain valid until December of the current academic year. Students who achieve a passing grade are eligible to take the Biochemistry 2 oral exam. The oral exam consists of presenting a metabolic pathway and writing out the corresponding reaction formulas, followed by further questions regarding the regulation of metabolic pathways and the hormonal control of metabolism. The overall assessment will take into account the results obtained in the written exams for Biochemistry 1 and Molecular Biology, as well as the oral exam for Biochemistry 2.
The written exams must be retaken if the Biochemistry 2 oral exam is not passed. A passing grade is achieved through a basic level of knowledge and understanding of the syllabus. An excellent grade is achieved by demonstrating a profound understanding of the syllabus and excellent communication skills.

BIOENERGETICS. Metabolic pathways and cycles, catabolic and anabolic processes. Role of ATP in cellular metabolism. Role of oxygen. Role of mitochondria : KREBS CYCLE, anfibolic pathway. METABOLISM OF CARBOHYDRATES. Digestion and absorption. Glucose transporters: biochemical characteristics. Glycogen -lysis and -synthesis. Functional role of hepatic glycogen and muscle glycogen. Glycolysis and Gluconeogenesis. Pentose phoshate pathway. METABOLISM OF LIPIDS. Digestion, absorption and transport of food lipids. Mobilization of endogenous lipids. Metabolic fate of cholesterol. Catabolism of fatty acids in mitochondria and peroxisomes. Production and use of ketone bodies. Biosynthesis ex novo of fatty acids. Biosynthesis of triglycerides. Biosynthesis of cholesterol and related regulatory mechanisms. Biosynthesis of phospholipids. PROTEIN METABOLISM. Digestion of food proteins. Metabolic fate of amino acids: energetic role and biosynthetic role. Essential and non-essential amino acids. Gluconeogenic, ketogenic and ketogenic / glucogenic amino acids. Catabolism and related pathologies. Conversion of amino acids into specialized compounds: conversion of tryptophan to serotonin, of tyrosine to melanins or catecholamines and of arginine to creatine. Use and elimination of the amino group as urea. METABOLISM OF NUCLEOTIDES. Biosynthesis ex novo and the recovery pathways of purines and regulation. Biosynthesis of pyrimidines and its regulation. Catabolism of purines to uric acid. Biochemical basis of gout (hyperuricemia). Pyrimidine catabolism. METABOLISM OF THE HEME. ROS and cytochromes P450. INSULIN AND GLUCAGON: biosynthesis and structure; regulation of insulin secretion, signal transduction mechanism and function. The molecular basis of diabetes and the metabolic peculiarities. Hypothalamic-pituitary axis and its peripheral targets. Bottom-up signaling, gut-brain axis. Eicosanoids as local hormones: prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and lipoxins. Steroid hormones as derivatives of cholesterol. Vitamin D as a pro-hormone. INTEGRATION OF METABOLISM: Integration of metabolic pathways in the main organs and tissues and control of the availability of nutrients. The mechanisms of glycemic control in fasting and in the well-fed state. Metabolic effects of insulin, glucagon, adrenaline, and glucocorticoid hormones in different tissues. During the discussion of the historical aspects of metabolic pathways, mention will be made of gender mainstreaming in scientific research

At the end of the module the student will acquire an in-depth knowledge of metabolism both at the molecular-cellular and at the organism level. Students will be able to understand and explain the processes of digestion, absorption, and utilization of macronutrients. They will be able to analyze and interpret different biochemical-metabolic states.