Corso di laurea in Chimica e Tecnologie Chimiche

In line with the general scope of the course, in particular for the Chemistry Curriculum, this course provides details on the main biochemical processes involved in metabolism of living organisms. The  course is focused on biomolecules properties and reactivity, with insights in selected metabolisms  Examples of applicative outcomes in professional sectors relevant for chemistry industry, biofuels production and waste treatment will be given, focussing also on biocatalysis, biodegradation and fermentation processes.

As required in the general description of knowledge and competences  (in particular for the curriculum in Chemistry), the student should be able to understand the principles of biochemistry metabolisms also applied in green chemistry, industrial processes and waste treatment. The student should demostrate (for example by demonstrating problem solving attitude in the short test on nucelic acids syìtiudies and techniques, as required in the written exam) to be able to interact at a professional level with biologists, using the competences in the chemical  sector to understand the molecular basis and biochemical processes of living organisms. The course also provided the basis to understand advanced courses in biochemistry and biology  proposed in some chemistry master courses.

Lectures and discussion on specific issues proposed to students for analysis (recent papers and web resources)

PART 1

• Glycolysis: regulation, entry of other sugars, gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate pathway
• Krebs cycle: regulation
• Photosynthesis: the reactions of the light phase, the reactions of the dark phase
• Lipid metabolism: beta-oxidation, alpha and omega oxidation
• Liponeogenesis, the metabolism of cholesterol
• Catabolism of amino acids and urea cycle
• Introduction to the metabolism of amino acids: The function of PALP in catabolism of amino acids
• The energy metabolism of mammals: integration and regulation
• Organs, Hormonal control of energy metabolism
• Signal transduction, disorders of energy metabolism

PART 2

• Nucleotides, nucleic acids and genetic information: Introduction to sequencing methods, DNA manipulation, RNA transcription and maturation and translation
• Nitrogen biological cycle: the reactions and enzymes involved
• The biological production of hydrogen: enzymes and mechanisms
• Methanogenesis

Slides, papers recently published and links will be available on the course
site

The main text suggested for the course is: 

Biochimica Molecole e metabolismo con MyLab e e Text

di Appling - Cahill - Mathews

Pearson Ed.