Biomolecules: structure and function

Course objective

Description of structural and functional properties of biomolecules, focusing on proteins.

By considering common and innovative analytical techniques, different proteins and

metabolic processes are described in relation with diseases by giving an overview in

biomedical approaches.

Program course aa 2015-2016

Introduction of molecular biology, biotechnology, peptides and proteins.

Functional groups in biological molecules. Inter- Intra-molecular bonds. Hydrogen bonds.

Charged molecules. Water solubility. Acidity, basicity, charges at different pHs. pKa. Eq.

Henderson-Hasselbach.

Natural, non natural amino acids. Peptide bonds. Synthesis. Character of peptide bond.

Charge and polarity. Proteins. Primary structure. Higher organization levels. Folding and

stability. Inter and intra molecular interactions. Structure activity relationship. Cross-linking.

Structure determination. Structural proteins: collagen, elastin and silk proteins. Muscles

protein and movement. Molecular machines. Globular proteins. Mioglobin and

Hemoglobin: transport, kinetics, cooperative effect, structural modification. Antibodies.

Enzymes. Mechanism of catalysis. Serine proteases. Enzyme kinetic. Inhibition and

inactivation. Enzyme regulation. Hydrolases, lyases, ligases, kinases.

Membrane proteins. Ion transport, ion channel. Passive and active transport.

Analytical applications. Spectrophotometric techniques and light-scattering.

Electrochemical and electrophoretic methods. Chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Thermodynamics in the transformation of high energy compounds. Metabolism of

carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids. Glycolysis. Krebs cycle. Gluconeogenesis. Glycogen.

Metabolism of amino acids and lipids.

Suggested Bibliography

David Whitford, Proteins: Structure and Function, Editor: John Wiley & sons, Ltd, ISBN:

978-0471-49894-0

Nelson & Cox, Introduzione alla biochimica di Lehninger, Editor: Zanichelli, ISBN:

8808064131

D. Voet, JG Voet, CW Pratt, Fondamenti di Biochimica, Editor: Zanichelli, ISBN:

880806879X

Written examination in a multiple-choice test in two parts: the first part of the program in

November. The second part at the end of the lessons in February. In case of grades

<18/30 in the first part or in his absence, the written proof of the examination can be done at

the end of the course, in February. It is

possible to take the examination also in successive periods allowed by the School.