Ateneo - UPO

The course 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:
- 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 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.

General and Inorganic Chemistry

Teaching in lecture halls with theoretical lessons and collective discussions

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.

The in depth and autonomous study of one of the topics of the course is required with its presentation during the exam in oral form with slides (max 4 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 program and the reference texts indicated. 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 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 biological properties of metals and metal complexes, and of their applications in the living systems and medicine.
Applying knowledge and understanding: ability to apply the theory in the discussion of case studies.
Making judgements: skill to critically evaluate the concepts learnt; skill to critically analyze the proposed case studies.
Communication skills: ability to describe subjects of 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.