ID:
SCV1017
Durata (ore):
56
CFU:
7
SSD:
Biochimica
Anno:
2026
Dati Generali
Periodo di attività
Primo Semestre (25/09/2026 - 22/01/2027)
Syllabus
Obiettivi Formativi
The course aims at clarifying the integration of main cellular components and biochemical reactions. Therefore, the course aims to teach fundamental basic topics, needed for the comprehension of many other courses in the BMS course. The main objective is to understand the molecular factors and mechanisms of biochemical regulation of cell function Expected results: 1. To be able to describe the main molecular factors and pathways discussed during lessons (e.g., protein targeting, autophagy, biosignalling) 2. To analyze complex cellular mechanisms, by selecting the most important information in scientific literature. 3. To be able to use technical terminology. 4. To apply theoretical knowledge during the lab experience integrated in the course.
The course aims at clarifying the integration of main cellular components and biochemical reactions. Therefore, the course aims to teach fundamental basic topics, needed for the comprehension of many other courses in the BMS course. The main objective is to understand the molecular factors and mechanisms of biochemical regulation of cell function Expected results: 1. To be able to describe the main molecular factors and pathways discussed during lessons (e.g., protein targeting, autophagy, biosignalling) 2. To analyze complex cellular mechanisms, by selecting the most important information in scientific literature. 3. To be able to use technical terminology. 4. To apply theoretical knowledge during the lab experience integrated in the course.
The course aims at clarifying the integration of main cellular components and biochemical reactions. Therefore, the course aims to teach fundamental basic topics, needed for the comprehension of many other courses in the BMS course. The main objective is to understand the molecular factors and mechanisms of biochemical regulation of cell function Expected results: 1. To be able to describe the main molecular factors and pathways discussed during lessons (e.g., protein targeting, autophagy, biosignalling) 2. To analyze complex cellular mechanisms, by selecting the most important information in scientific literature. 3. To be able to use technical terminology. 4. To apply theoretical knowledge during the lab experience integrated in the course.
Prerequisiti
A solid background in Cytology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Metodi didattici
Teaching activity consists of theoretical (40 hrs) and practical (24 hrs: 12 for all students + 12 for Double Degree students) lectures with hands-on activity. Seminars by experts in the field will be considered for particular topics. A lesson will be structured as a journal club, in order to read and critically interpret cellular biochemistry literature. Students will be asked to participate critically to the discussion during journal clubs. Power point presentations (together with original papers where information has been retrieved from) will be used during lessons and uploaded the day before the lesson on the e-learning platform.
Teaching activity consists of theoretical (40 hrs) and practical (24 hrs: 12 for all students + 12 for Double Degree students) lectures with hands-on activity. Seminars by experts in the field will be considered for particular topics. A lesson will be structured as a journal club, in order to read and critically interpret cellular biochemistry literature. Students will be asked to participate critically to the discussion during journal clubs. Power point presentations (together with original papers where information has been retrieved from) will be used during lessons and uploaded the day before the lesson on the e-learning platform.
Teaching activity consists of theoretical (40 hrs) and practical (24 hrs: 12 for all students + 12 for Double Degree students) lectures with hands-on activity. Seminars by experts in the field will be considered for particular topics. A lesson will be structured as a journal club, in order to read and critically interpret cellular biochemistry literature. Students will be asked to participate critically to the discussion during journal clubs. Power point presentations (together with original papers where information has been retrieved from) will be used during lessons and uploaded the day before the lesson on the e-learning platform.
Verifica Apprendimento
The assessment of intended learning outcomes will be made with a final oral exam and it consists of two questions. The first aims at discussing a general cellular biochemistry content (normally the title of a lesson), in order to evaluate the autonomy to organize a scientific discussion, as well as knowledge and understanding. The second question is more specific and focused on a specific molecular pathway or a specific topic. Precision in terminology and content correctness are needed to pass the exam. Ability to integrate contents and to apply knowledge to practical examples will be considered to get higher marks (28-30 and honours).
The assessment of intended learning outcomes will be made with a final oral exam and it consists of two questions. The first aims at discussing a general cellular biochemistry content (normally the title of a lesson), in order to evaluate the autonomy to organize a scientific discussion, as well as knowledge and understanding. The second question is more specific and focused on a specific molecular pathway or a specific topic. Precision in terminology and content correctness are needed to pass the exam. Ability to integrate contents and to apply knowledge to practical examples will be considered to get higher marks (28-30 and honours).
The assessment of intended learning outcomes will be made with a final oral exam and it consists of two questions. The first aims at discussing a general cellular biochemistry content (normally the title of a lesson), in order to evaluate the autonomy to organize a scientific discussion, as well as knowledge and understanding. The second question is more specific and focused on a specific molecular pathway or a specific topic. Precision in terminology and content correctness are needed to pass the exam. Ability to integrate contents and to apply knowledge to practical examples will be considered to get higher marks (28-30 and honours).
Contenuti
CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY- 40 HRS • Introduction to cellular biochemistry. Course objectives and examination modes. • Protein homeostasis: Protein synthesis. Post-translational translocation. Signal sequences. Intracellular protein trafficking. Quality control. UPS degradation. The secretory pathway. Molecular mechanisms of vesicular trafficking. Coating proteins and clathrin. Proteolytic processing of secreted proteins. Receptor-mediated endocytosis. Extracellular vesicles and exosomes • Post-translational modifications (PTMs). The ability of particular tags to regulate signaling and protein turnover, and to exert dynamic control over protein function in diverse cell biological contexts (focus on specific newly characterized PTMs). • Membranes and transport. Chemical components of membranes. Peripheral and integral proteins. Lipid rafts. Mechanisms of membrane fusion. Transport processes. • The mitochondrion. Cell energetics. Mitochondrial biochemistry. Transport towards and across the inner membrane. Glucose and fatty acid metabolism. Biochemistry of the electron transport chain. Calcium ion homeostasis. Apoptosis regulation. Mitophagy. Organelles biosynthesis. Mitochondrial dynamics. Role of mitochondria in specific physiological and pathological conditions. • Autophagy (with a focus on molecular machinery). • Cell cycle regulators and molecular components of cell cycle check points. • Biosignalling. Characteristics of a transduction system. Molecular mechanisms of signal recognition. Ligand gated ion channels (e.g., the nicotinic receptor, neuronal signaling). Receptors with intrinsic enzyme activity (e.g., glycogen synthesis). G-protein-coupled receptors (e.g., taste and smell transduction). Receptors linked to soluble kinases (e.g., the erythropoietin receptor). Guanylate cyclase activity and NO-synthase activation. Adhesion receptors. Intracellular receptors. Newly characterized molecular pathways (e.g., Wnt, Hedgehog, Hippo). Biosignaling pathways integration at the network level. • Response to stress. Oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species. Enzymatic control of ROS homeostasis. Iron homeostasis. Lipid oxidation. Protein oxidation. Unfolded protein response. • Journal club: a group activity to read and critically interpret cellular biochemistry literature.
LAB ACTIVITIES 12h+12h
Lingua Insegnamento
Inglese
Altre informazioni
Office hours and e-mail address: Upon appointment via e-mail, writing at tiziana.alberio@uninsubria.it
Office hours and e-mail address: Upon appointment via e-mail, writing at tiziana.alberio@uninsubria.it
Office hours and e-mail address: Upon appointment via e-mail, writing at tiziana.alberio@uninsubria.it
Corsi
Corsi
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Laurea Magistrale
2 anni
No Results Found
Persone
Persone
Docenti di ruolo di IIa fascia
No Results Found