BIOENERGETICA MOLECOLARE

The aim of the course is to provide knowledge at the molecular level on the molecules involved in the production of energy in the body and, in particular, in the mitochondrion.
The following will be studied in depth: the relationship between energy and nutrition also in the bio-sanitary aspects; the energy balance of living organisms. The production of bioenergetic molecules in the mitochondrion: molecular mechanisms. Oxidative phosphorylation: the machinery involved. Structural biology of the bioenergetic machinery. The bio-molecular metabolisms in the mitochondrion. The coordinated contribution of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA to the constitution of the organelle. Quali-quantitative dynamics of the mitochondrion. The particular inheritance of the organelle. Mitochondrial diseases.

Energy production in the body: role of the mitochondrion.

Relationships between biological energy and nutrition: biosanitary aspects.

The energy balance of living organisms.

The production of bioenergetic molecules in the mitochondrion: molecular mechanisms.

Oxidative phosphorylation: the machinery involved.

Structural biology of the bioenergetic machinery.

The bio-molecular metabolisms in the mitochondrion.

The coordinated contribution of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA to the constitution of the organelle.

Quali-quantitative dynamics of the mitochondrion.

The particular inheritance of the organelle.

Mitochondrial diseases.

This is a completely new course, for which there are no canonical textbooks either in Italy or abroad. The study material will be provided by the teacher and will consist of works (in English) and material screened in class. Both types will be uploaded to Studium. As a general reference it may help: Nichols DG, Ferguson S - Bioenergetics 4th ed 2014 Academic Press editor