Ateneo - UPO

The course includes two parts: physical-chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry. The part of physical-chemistry aims to provide information on the interactions between energy and matter from the microscopic to the macroscopic point of view, proposing the fundamental concepts of molecular spectroscopy (vibrational and electronic), thermodynamics, electrochemistry and kinetics. The principles of molecular spectroscopy, classical thermodynamics with particular attention to thermochemistry, electrochemistry in the cell exchanges and kinetics will be taken into consideration. The part of Bioinorganic chemistry aims to provide knowledge on the role of inorganic elements in biological systems, including their therapeutic uses. The chemical properties and the biological function of metal-binding molecules will be discussed, together with the homeostasis of essential metal and related diseases. The main metal complexes used in medicine will be also presented, such as and antitumor drugs, radiopharmaceuticals and contrast agents.

The course slides will be made available on DIR. The following texts are recommended: - “Physical Chemistry” by P. Atkins E J. De Paula (Oxford University Press). Notes prepared by the professor; - Wolfgang Kaim, Brigitte Schwederski, Axel Klein, "Bioinorganic Chemistry - Inorganic Elements in the Chemistry of Life: An Introduction and Guide", 2nd Edition, Wiley, 2013; - Ivano Bertini, Harry B. Gray, et al., "Biological Inorganic Chemistry", University Science Books, 2007; - Stephen J. Lippard, Jeremy M. Berg, Principles of Bioinorganic Chemistry", University Science Books, 1994; - James C. Dabrowiak, “Metals in Medicine”, Wiley, 2009.

The physical-chemistry part of the course aims to provide the basic knowledge of the fundamental aspects of the chemical-physical properties underlying the methods applicable to the study of systems of biotechnological, biological and pharmaceutical interest, the ability to be able to evaluate, in the light of the notions learned during the course, which are the most suitable chemical-physical methods for the study of certain systems. The part of bioinorganic chemistry of the course aims to provide the basic knowledge to understand the role of metals in biological systems and the chemical processes in which they are involved, and to understand the properties of transition metal and rare earth metal complexes as chemotherapeutic drugs, radiopharmaceuticals, diagnostic agents or other types of drugs. Moreover, the course has the purpose of developing a suitable chemical vocabulary about the topics described and the ability in making judgements, drawing conclusions and autonomously deepening a subject related to those of the course.

Notions acquired in the courses of the General and Inorganic Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. 

Classroom lessons with slides, videos, exercises, and collective discussions. The .pdf files of the lectures will be available on DIR platform.

The in itinere learning will be verified with collective discussion. 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/servicesstudents-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.

PHYSICAL-CHEMISTRY: The examination is conducted orally, with the lecturer posing general questions on the topics covered in the course to ascertain the students' comprehension and depth of understanding.BIOINORGANIC CHEMISTRY: The in depth and autonomous study of one of the topics of the course using scientific papers is required with its presentation during the exam in oral form with slides (max 4-5 slides). The oral exam will continue with the discussion of this topic and with 2 further questions, one about the "metals in biological systems" part and the other about the "metals in medicine" part of the program. These questions will be chosen to cover in turn the whole program. The difficulty level of the exam corresponds to the programd. The exam will be passed with the knowledge of the basic concepts (min 18/30). The highest grade will be obtained showing the acquisition of all the knowledge and abilities/capacities indicated. This kind of exam verify the theoretical knowledges of bioinorganic chemistry and their applications, the ability to use a suitable scientific language and the learning skills.The examination board will give the student FINAL GRADE as a result of both oral exams.

PHYSICAL-CHEMISTRY: Introduction to physical-chemistry and its applications to biological systems and medicine. Transition from the macroscopic to the micro and nanoscopic world for the understanding of chemical and biological phenomena. Energy-matter interaction with attention to the mechanisms that concern the absorption and emission of electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic spectrum properties and its use as a source for molecular spectroscopy techniques. Optical spectroscopies such as vibrational spectroscopies (FTIR and Raman) and electronic spectroscopies (UV-Vis and luminescence) will be considered by examining the theoretical principles that regulate the transitions between rotational, vibrational and electronic levels and applications for the recognition of molecules and for the study of the structure of biomolecules and complex systems. As far as vibrational spectroscopies are concerned, the FTIR and Raman spectroscopies will be analyzed, highlighting the difference of the two techniques in the theoretical aspects and underlining their complementarity. The electronic spectroscopies taken into consideration will be UV-Vis absorption and luminescence spectroscopy (fluorescence and phosphorescence) and decay processes from excited electronic states with emission of electromagnetic radiation or with exchanges of energy such as the FRET mechanism or photodynamic mechanisms. Biochemical thermodynamics in the study of energy conversions. The three principles of thermodynamics and the zero principle. Spontaneity and reversibility of chemical reactions and reactions to equilibrium. Thermodynamics and electrochemistry of ion and electron transport: ion transport through biological membranes, oxidation-reduction reactions and applications of the standard potential. Kinetics: relationship between kinetics and thermodynamics. Definition of speed and order of reaction. Kinetic laws and integration. Determination of the order of reaction and the kinetic constant. Rate determining step of reaction and steady state approximation. Reaction rate and temperature: Arrhenius law. Relationship between equilibrium constant and kinetic constant. Mechanisms of chemical reactions. Enzyme kinetics. BIOINORGANIC CHEMISTRY: The course deals with the following subjects. 1) Metals in biological systems: coordination chemistry; biological functions of inorganic elements; metal ions biological ligands; homeostasis of essential metal ions (e.g. iron, copper, zinc) and related diseases; toxic metals and chelation therapy; biomineralization. 2) Metals in Medicine: platinum complexes used in clinic practice as anticancer drugs; basics of radiochemistry and drugs for radiotherapy and radiodiagnostics; metal - porphyrins for photodynamic therapy; basics of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and gadolinium complexes as contrast agents; Au(I) complexes as antiarthritic drugs; Bi(III) as anti-ulcer drugs; sodium nitroprusside for anti-hypertensive emergencies.

Knowledge and understanding: knowledge of the main chemical-physical methods applicable to the study of systems of biotechnological and pharmaceutical interests; knowledge of the biological properties of metals and metal complexes, and of their applications in the living systems and medicine. Applying knowledge and understanding: ability to be able to evaluate, in the light of the notions learned during the course, which are the most suitable chemical-physical methods for the study of certain systems; ability to apply the theory of bioinorganic chemistry in the discussion of case studies. Making judgements: skill to critically evaluate the concepts learnt; skill to critically analyze the elements related to physical-chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry in complex and realistic problems. Communication skills: ability to describe subjects of physical-chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry with a suitable language. Learning skills: ability to use the teaching material for a critical and reasoned study; skill to autonomously in-depth study a subject related to the course and to analyze data (even though not personally obtained) based on the assimilated knowledges.