Ateneo - UPO

The course includes two modules. The module of Elements of biochemistry combines experimental biochemistry activities with structural biology approaches applied to biomedical research. The practical component will focus on the purification of a recombinant protein using chromatographic techniques and on the assessment of protein purity. The second part will introduce students to the three-dimensional analysis of proteins using PyMOL, with particular emphasis on the identification and characterisation of active sites, protein–ligand interactions, and the basic principles of structure-based drug discovery. The module of Elements of radiochemistry provides the basic knowledge of nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry, with a particular focus on medical applications.

Biochemistry: No mandatory textbooks are required. Teaching materials, including lecture notes, scientific articles, laboratory protocols, and practical exercise materials, will be provided by the instructor throughout the course.
Radiochemistry: The course slides will be made available on DIR e-learning platform. The following texts may be useful for consultation:The 'Nuclear Chemistry' chapter in the textbooks recommended for the General Chemistry course;Paolo E. Volpe, Le radiazioni. Conoscerle per difendersi, Aracne;Gregory Choppin, Jan-Olov Liljenzin, Jan Rydberg, Christian Ekberg, Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry, Academic Press.

The course aims to provide students with practical training in experimental biochemistry and structural biology by integrating laboratory activities with computational analysis tools. Through the purification of a recombinant protein and the use of the PyMOL molecular visualization software, students will gain an integrated understanding of the relationship between protein structure and function and appreciate how structural information is applied in biomedical research and rational drug discovery.
Moreover, the course aims to provide fundamental knowledge on atomic nucleus stability, radioactive decay, the interaction of radiation with matter, and the main applications of radiochemistry, particularly in medicine.

Attendance of a Biochemistry course is required, and students are strongly recommended to have successfully passed the corresponding examination before the beginning of the course. The knowledge of the course contents of General and Inorganic Chemistry is required (in particular, atomic structure and reaction kinetics).

Radiochemistry: Teaching in lecture halls with theoretical lessons and collective discussions.
Biochemistry: The course is based on laboratory sessions and hands-on practical activities, complemented by short introductory lectures. Students will perform recombinant protein purification experiments and use PyMOL for the structural analysis of proteins, active sites, and protein–ligand interactions. Teaching will follow a learning-by-doing approach, encouraging active participation and discussion of the experimental results.

Students are required to bring their own laptop (PC or Mac) for the structural analysis practical sessions. They should be able to install the free version of PyMOL (or the version specified by the instructor) before the course begins. Students who do not have access to a personal computer will be provided with a workstation by the University.
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.

For "Elements of biochemistry" assessment will be carried out throughout the course during the practical activities. Evaluation will be based on students' active participation, acquisition of practical and technical skills, ability to interpret and discuss the experimental results, and appropriate use of the laboratory techniques and software introduced during the course.
The exam of the "Elements of radiochemistry" module includes a one-hour written test (consisting of 2 problems on balancing nuclear reactions or decay kinetics, and 4 multiple-choice questions rotated across the entire course syllabus; maximum 18 points). If the written test is passed (minimum 10/18 points), it is followed by an oral presentation, supported by slides, on an in-depth personal study of one of the course topics (maximum 12 points), for which 2 questions will be asked. A passing grade is achieved by demonstrating basic knowledge of radioactive decay reactions and their main applications. Excellence is achieved by demonstrating an excellent mastery of all syllabus topics, the ability to independently explore these subjects in depth and the use of appropriate scientific language.
The final grade for the entire course will be the result of a joint evaluation by the professors, which will take into account the outcomes of the tests from both course modules.

Biochemistry: Module 1 – Recombinant Protein Purification. Overview of recombinant protein expression. Cell lysis and preparation of protein extracts. Principles of affinity chromatography. Purification of a recombinant protein using chromatographic techniques. Assessment of protein purity by SDS-PAGE. Discussion of experimental results and common technical challenges. Module 2 – Introduction to Structural Biology and Drug Discovery. Introduction to protein three-dimensional structure and the Protein Data Bank (PDB). Introduction to the PyMOL molecular visualization software. Visualization and analysis of protein structures. Identification and characterization of protein active sites. Analysis of protein–ligand interactions. Principles of structure-based drug discovery and the use of structural information for rational drug design. Guided hands-on exercises using PyMOL.
Radiochemistry: Radioactivity and nuclear stability. Nuclear decay reactions and radioactive series. Balancing nuclear reactions. Introduction to nuclear fission and fusion. Decay rate. Radiometric dating. Neutron activation. Radioactive tracers in chemical reactions. Interaction of radiation with matter. Radioisotopes for radiotherapy and radiodiagnostics.

Knowledge and Understanding: Understanding the theoretical principles underlying recombinant protein purification. Understanding the role of structural biology in structure-based drug discovery. Understanding the structure of the atomic nucleus, its stability, and the different modes of radioactive decay. Knowing the physical principles underlying the interaction of radiation with matter. Learning the biological effects of radiation.
Applying Knowledge and Understanding: Performing the main steps of a protein purification protocol and evaluate the obtained results. Using PyMOL to visualize and analyse three-dimensional protein structures. Ability to identify and characterize protein active sites and protein–ligand interactions. Knowing how to balance a nuclear reaction and perform calculations on decay kinetics.
Judgment Autonomy: ability to critically interpret and discuss the data generated during the practical activities. Knowing how to assess risks and benefits in the use of radionuclides, particularly in the medical and industrial sectors. Developing a critical awareness of radioactive waste management and environmental issues.
Communication Skills: Knowing how to communicate the course topics and the results of personal in-depth study clearly and concisely, using correct scientific 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.