Biochemistry I

Objectives

The objective of this curricular unit is:
- to provide students with the opportunity to acquire a basic training in Biochemistry allowing them to understand the molecular rationale of life and the mechanisms that are responsible for homeostasis of the cell and organism.
-to drive the students' curiosity for Biomedical Research and help them to develop the ability to do research and integrate knowledge by applying it to the discussion of specific issues which are relevant to clinical practice.
This general knowledge will allow to understand the relevance of structural and molecular biochemistry for Medicine.
At the end of this curricular unit, students should be able to:
1) Identify the general principles and terminology of Biochemistry;
2) Describe the structure and function of the main biomolecules;
3) Distinguish the main metabolic pathways and explain their interrelationship and regulatory mechanisms;
4) Interpret some analysis techniques in the clinics

Program

1. Chemical composition of living beings:

1.1. The main classes of biomolecules.

1.2. Functional groups and chemical reactivity of biomolecules; thermodinamica and energy flow

1.3. The major buffer systems in the body and acid/base balance

2. Structural properties of cellular membranes:

2.1. Lipids and proteins as major constituents of biological membranes

2.2. Structure of cellular membranes;  membrane transportes and receptors

3. Structural and functional proteins

3.1. Structural organization of proteins

3.2. Hemoglobin and Mioglobin; Collagen and Elastin; cytoskeletal proteins

3.3. Chemical correlations resulting from changes in protein structure

4. Enzymes and enzyme kinetics

4.1. Enzymes  regulation and control

4.2. Enzymes as causes of disease and as  therapeutical targets

5.  Metabolism of the main biomolecules:  carbohydrates, lipids and proteins

5.1. Organization of main pathways in metabolism

5.2. Regulation and control of the main metabolic pathways

5.3.  Integration of metabolismo

5.4. Tissue metabolic specialization

5.5. Clinical correlations caused by alterations in metabolism

Teaching Methodologies

Lectures - 30 hours in which the syllabus is organized in order to promote its understanding and the integration of knowledge and its application in the answer to questions raised in medical practice.

Seminar - 2 hours in which students discuss scientific papers previously distributes by the teaching staff.

Practical classes -students are divides in two groups,  with mandatory presence (students are considered as not having attended the class if they are not present 5 minutes after the beginning of the class). These classes are planned to illustrate concepts explained in the lectures, to develop the capacity to identify questions through the observation during the different phases of the experimental work, to improve the understanding of the methodologies under use and to promote  team work.  

Bibliography

- Koolman J & Roehm KH (2005) Color Atlas of Biochemistry. 2^nd Ed., Thieme

- Berg JM, Tymoczko JL, Stryer L (2010) Biochemistry. 7ª Ed. W.H.Freeman.

- Nelson DL & Cox MM (2013) Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. 6ª Ed., Macmillan Learning.

- Rodwell VW, Kennelly PJ, Bender DA, Botham KM, Weil PA (2015) Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry. 30^th Ed., McGraw-Hill.

- Da Poian AT & Castanho MARB (2016) Integrative Human Biochemistry - Textbook for Medical Biochemistry. Springer.

- Smith C, Marks AD, Lieberman M (2012) Marks' Basic Medical Biochemistry. 4^th Ed., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

- Cohn RM, Roth KS (1996) Biochemistry and Disease: Bridging Basic Science and Clinical Practice. Williams & Wilkins.

- Information in Moodle