ADVANCED BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY

This teaching is one of the basic training activities of the master’s degree course in Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies, curriculum Biomolecular Chemistry, providing the students with advanced knowledge of biological chemistry.
Educational objectives of the teaching are: i) to critically comprehend the functioning mode and regulation of the major metabolic pathways; ii) to promote and stimulate the logical connections between different metabolic pathways; iii) to develop the ability to expose scientific concepts in a formal manner and using a proper scientific language, iv) make connections between the various contents of the course; v) develop new ideas in which synthetic biology can be applied to solve problems relevant to health, society and the environment.

i) Knowledge and understanding
• Knowledge of the functioning mode of the main metabolic pathways and understand their mechanisms of regulation;
• Being able to make logical connections between different metabolic pathways.

ii) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
• Being able to use the acquired knowledge to comprehend and logically interpret the functioning mode and mechanisms of regulation of the main metabolic pathways;
• Being able to apply the acquired knowledge to connect different metabolic pathways using a logical and deductive approach.

iii) Ability to judge
• Being able to apply the acquired knowledge to perform a critical analysis of the functioning mode and mechanisms of regulation of the main metabolic pathways;
• Being able to recognize errors through a critical analysis of the applied method and to formulate different hypothesis.

iv) Communication skills
• Being able to convey the acquired knowledge using an appropriate terminology;
• Being able to interact with the teacher and the classmates in a respectful and constructive manner.

v) Learning skills
• Being able to take notes, selecting and collecting information according to their importance;
• Being able to expose scientific concepts in a formal manner and using a proper scientific language.

To have reached the educational objectives of biochemistry, molecular biology bioorganic chemistry, possibly (but not necessarily) having passed the final exams of these courses.

i) Glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and the pentose phosphate pathway: Glycolysis. Feeder pathways for glycolysis. Fates of pyruvate under anaerobic conditions: fermentation. Gluconeogenesis. Pentose phosphate pathway of glucose oxidation.

ii) Principles of metabolic regulation: Regulation of metabolic pathways. Analysis of metabolic control. Coordinated regulation of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. The metabolism of glycogen in animals. Coordinated regulation of glycogen synthesis and breakdown.

iii) The citric acid cycle: Production of acetyl-CoA. Reactions of the citric acid cycle. Regulation of the citric acid cycle. The glyoxylate cycle.

iv) Fatty acid catabolism: Digestion, mobilization, and transport of fats. Oxidation of fatty acids. Ketone bodies.

v) Oxidative phosphorylation and photophosphorylation: Electron-transfer reactions in mitochondria. ATP synthesis. Regulation of oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondria in thermogenesis, steroid synthesis and apoptosis. Mitochondrial genes: their origin and the effects of mutations. General features of photophosphorylation. Light absorption. The central photochemical event: Light-driven electron flow. ATP synthesis by photophosphorylation. The evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis.

vi) Carbohydrate biosynthesis in plants and bacteria: Photosynthetic carbohydrate synthesis. Photorespiration and the C4 and CAM pathways. Biosynthesis of starch and sucrose. Synthesis of cell wall polysaccharides: plant cellulose
and bacterial peptidoglycan. Integration of carbohydrate metabolism in the plant cell.

vii) Lipid biosynthesis: Biosynthesis of fatty acids and eicosanoids. Biosynthesis of triacylglycerols. Biosynthesis of membrane phospholipids. Cholesterol, steroids, and isoprenoids: biosynthesis, regulation, and transport.

viii) Metabolic engineering and synthetic biology: concepts and applications.

As a support to the study, every university textbook containing the basics of biological chemistry is acceptable. However, the following textbooks are highly recommended:
• D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox: I principi di biochimica di Lehninger, VII ed., Zanichelli.
• A. Hofmann and S. Clokie. Wilson and Walker’s Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry. VIII ed., Cambridge University Press.

The assessment of learning takes place by means of an oral exam lasting about 45 min. The objective of the exam consists in verifying and evaluating: i) the level of knowledge of the topics dealt with in class; ii) the ability of critical thinking; iii) the ability to make connections between the different contents of the course; iv) the ability to update and develop the knowledge by independently looking for textbooks and scientific articles specific to the sector; v) the ability to read, understand and present in the classroom a scientific work proposed by the teacher. The degree of accuracy of the answers and the ownership of the scientific language used will be evaluated. The constant and active participation to the lessons will be taken into account in the final evaluation. Specifically, the oral exam consists of:
• a series of questions concerning both parts of the program reported in the "Contents" section, including the practical laboratory experiences; The students must demonstrate both the critical learning of the topics of the entire program and the ability to expose them in a formal and concise manner using an appropriate scientific language.
• the discussion and presentation of a scientific articles pertaining to the course and selected among six articles assigned by the teacher.
The students must demonstrate both the critical learning of the topics of the entire program and the ability to expose them in a formal and concise manner using an appropriate scientific language. Finals will take place within the dates established by the academic calendar.

oral

The evaluation is expressed in thirtieths. The grade is determined by:
• knowledge of the required topics (range 15 points);
• ability to independently articulate the answers (range 5 points);
• confidence in the presentation (range 5 points);
• ability to delve into the topic (range 5 points).
Honors (‘laude’) will be awarded for excellent knowledge and understanding of the program, judgment, and communication skills.

Teaching is organized in frontal theoretical lectures in the classroom. Classroom lectures will be interactive and will include a general introduction to the subject matter by the teacher followed by the presentation of some concrete applications take from scientific articles. Both traditional whiteboard and PowerPoint slides will be used during the lessons. The teaching material is present and can be downloaded from the University's Moodle e-learning platform.

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion

Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments: Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). In the case of disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development