THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELING

Course objectives

General expected learning outcomes Knowledge of the main chemical and structural features of biomolecules and their regulation in cellular metabolism. Specific expected learning outcomes Knowledge and understanding Students will be able to know the structure of biological molecules, such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, vitamins operating in the main metabolic pathways of the living organisms. Therefore, it will be clear how cellular metabolism is a response to stimulation by hormones and growth factors. Applying knowledge and understanding Students will be able to understand the importance of the chemical characteristics of biomolecules and the main metabolic processes operating in living organisms and to correlate the structures and the specific functions of the various classes of biomolecules. Making judgements The development of critical skills of the students will be encouraged during the lesson through open discussions on general biochemical topics. Communication skills In order to use the appropriate terminology for a good communication in the scientific field students will be encouraged to improve their communication of acquired knowledge by discussion during the lesson. Learning skills The acquired skills will help the student to understand the molecular mechanisms of natural compounds and/or of new chemical molecules, and to identify their cellular targets.

Channel 1
PAOLA PIETRANGELI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
Origin of life. The prebiotic world and chemical evolution. The chemistry of carbon. Functional groups. Cellular architecture. Organization and composition of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Functional role of subcellular organelles. Waterfall. Physico-chemical properties of water: structure, hydrophobic effect, solvation, weak bonds, colligative properties, osmosis, diffusion, ionization. Acid-base chemistry, pH, pK, buffer systems; biological buffers of phosphate and carbonate. Proteins. Acid-base properties of amino acids. Structure of proteins. Keratin, fibroin, collagen, immunoglobulins. Structure and function of myoglobin and hemoglobin. Structure of heme. Binding curves of oxygen to myoglobin and hemoglobin. Enzymes. Activation energy and enzymatic catalysis mechanisms. Michelis-Menten equation. Enzymatic inhibition. Mechanisms of regulation of enzymatic activity. Carbohydrates. Structure and function of monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides and glycoconjugates. Role of oligosaccharides in cell recognition and adhesion. Lipids. Structure and function of fatty acids, triacylglycerols, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, prostaglandins, sterols. Structure and organization of membranes. Membrane proteins. Transport mechanisms across membranes. Glucose transporters, P-type ATPase, F. Coenzymes and vitamins. Structure and function of NAD and NADP, FMN, FAD (oxidized and reduced forms), vitamin A, C, D, E, K, lipoic acid, pyridoxal phosphate, thiamine pyrophosphate, biotin, pantothenic acid. Structure and function of nucleotides and nucleic acids, DNA and messenger, transfer, ribosomal RNA. Biosignaling. G protein coupled receptors and second messengers: cyclic AMP, Ca + 2, phospholipase c. Signal transduction for adrenaline, insulin. Voltage controlled ion channels for K +, Na +, Ca + 2; ion channel of the acetylcholine receptor. General mechanism of regulation of gene expression by steroid hormones. Carbohydrate metabolism. Aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis. Oxidation of pyruvate. Krebs cycle. Glycogenolysis and glycogenosynthesis. Gluconeogenesis. Pathway of pentose phosphates. Lipid metabolism. βoxidation of fatty acids. Ketogenesis and ketone bodies. Biosynthesis of fatty acids, triglycerides and phospholipids. Biosynthesis of cholesterol. Lipoproteins. Protein metabolism. Amino acids: transamination, deamination, decarboxylation. Urea cycle. Bioenergetics. ATP and other high-energy compounds. Respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
Books
Introduzione alla Biochimica di Lehninger, Nelson et al., Zanichelli Fondamenti di Biochimica di Lehninger, D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox - Zanichelli - Prima edizione italiana condotta sulla settima edizione americana. Fondamenti di Biochimica, Voet, Zanichelli Biochimica, Mathews, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana Biochimica, Campbell, EdiSES
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseApplied Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • CurriculumSCIENZE ERBORISTICHE
  • Year2nd year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDBIO/10
  • CFU6