SCIENZE BIOMEDICHE

9 CFU - 1° Semester

Teaching Staff

GIOVANNI GIURDANELLA - Module BIOCHIMICA - BIO/10 - 2 CFU
ANGELA TROVATO SALINARO - Module BIOCHIMICA CLINICA - BIO/12 - 2 CFU
KATIA DOMENICA MANGANO - Module PATOLOGIA GENERALE - MED/04 - 3 CFU
LAURA TROVATO - Module Clinical Microbiology - MED/07 - 2 CFU

Learning Objectives

BIOCHIMICA
The course aims to provide the knowledge of the fundamental principles of biochemistry to the students by addressing strategic issues for understanding the structure and function of biological macromolecules involved in life processes. Furthermore, the necessary tools will be provided for the analysis and understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the transformations of biological molecules, the integration of metabolic pathways and the adaptation of cellular processes in response to extracellular stimuli. The students will understand the physiological significance of the main metabolic pathways with reference to their pathological role.
BIOCHIMICA CLINICA
The teaching of Clinical Biochemistry aims to provide to the students the basic and methodological notions to the comprehension and interpretation of the results obtained from the biochemical-molecular diagnostic investigations of biological samples for the characterization of conditions pathophysiology and pathology of organs and tissues. At the end of the course the student will acquire the knowledge of the biological and biochemical parameters and of the indicators of the alterations which are at the base of some diseases widely spread in the population.
Clinical Microbiology
The course aims to provide students with the cognitive and methodological tools necessary for understanding the biological and pathogenetic characteristics of microorganisms and parasites responsible for human infections in different systems, as well as strategies for the control of such infections and signs of microbiological diagnostics.

Course Structure

BIOCHIMICA
Frontal teaching for a total number of 14 hours according to a schedule provided by the University
BIOCHIMICA CLINICA
The course takes place through lecture with slide projection and practical exercises; in addition, there will be activities to be carried out independently or in groups. Interactive teaching is foreseen with participation in active working groups and quizzes, through the use of web platforms and Open Source software.
Written and oral exam. Written examination with multiple choice questions on all the topics covered during the course.
Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus. Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.
Clinical Microbiology
Frontal Lesson. Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Detailed Course Content

BIOCHIMICA
Chemical properties of amino acids. Structural organization of proteins: primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary structure. Notes on fibrous proteins: collagen, elastin, keratin. Myoglobin: structure and function. Similarities and differences with Hemoglobin. Hemoglobin: structure and function. The transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The Bohr effect. 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate and its physiological role. Buffer function of hemoglobin. Outline of hemoglobin variants: fetal hemoglobin. The activation energy and role of enzymes in lowering its value. Notes on catalysis mechanisms. The curve and the Michaelis-Menten equation. Meaning of Km and VMax. The graph of reciprocal doubles. Enzyme inhibition: reversible (competitive, non-competitive, incompetitive) and irreversible. Regulatory strategies: covalent, isoenzymes (physiological significance) and allosterism. Regulation of enzymatic activity, digestion and absorption of mono- and disaccharides. Glycolysis and its regulation: exokinase, phosphofructokinase, pyruvate kinase. Metabolic role of Pyruvate: the Krebs cycle and lactic and alcoholic fermentations. Energy yield of glycolysis. Cori cycle and the Alanine cycle. Effects of Insulin, Adrenaline and Glucagon on glucose metabolism. Gluconeogenesis. Glycogen metabolism: glycogen lysis and glycogen synthesis: allosteric and covalent regulation of glycogen phosphorylase. Transamination reactions and urea cycle.
BIOCHIMICA CLINICA
Introduction to Clinical Biochemistry: collection, transport and storage, treatment and causes of alteration of biological samples.Analytical and statistical concepts in data analysis: pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical variability, biological variability, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, predictive value of a test, quality control of analytical methods.

Laboratory analysis in diseases of the liver and biliary tract. Markers of hepatic injury.

Laboratory analysis in cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac injury markers.

Laboratory analysis in kidney diseases. Indices of renal function.

Clinical molecular diagnostics.
Clinical Microbiology
- Biological essential features of microrganisms and parasites responsible for human infections
- The most important pathogens in infections of the respiratory tract, central nervous system, genito-urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, skin and intravascular and cardiac infections

Textbook Information

BIOCHIMICA
1) I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger, Nelson Cox.Zanichelli

2) Principi di Biochimica, Horton, Moran, Ochs Rawn, Scrimgeour - Gnocchi

3) Biochimica Medica, Siliprandi-Tettamanti - Piccin.
BIOCHIMICA CLINICA
1) Biochimica clinica essenziale. E. Albi, T. Beccari, S. Cataldi. Zanichelli.

2) Biochimica Clinica. Il quadro d'insieme. Lee W. Janson , Marc E. Tischler. Piccin.

3) Elementi di Biochimica Clinica e Medicina di Laboratorio. M. Ciaccio. EdiSES Università.
Clinical Microbiology
Microbiologia Microbiologia clinica. R. Cevenini - V. Sambri. Ed Piccin

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