14041 - Biochemistry Lab-based Course (LZ b)

Learning outcomes

The students acquire methodological and application-oriented skills to integrate their knowledge in the topics of the Biochemistry lectures.

Course contents

Prerequisites: To best approach the learning experience, it is helpful to have basic knowledge of protein structure and function and enzymology. The lecturer will, however, briefly resume the main concepts necessary for a better understanding of the specific course topics.

Biochemistry (The biochemistry Laboratory) is part of the Integrated Biochemistry course. Upon completion of the Integrated Biochemistry course, students will acquire the essential molecular knowledge needed to study human physiology and pathology.

SPECIFIC COURSE CONTENTS:

Qualitative and quantitative study (through UV-vis spectrophotometry) of enzymatic activity.

Soft skills: Since students will work in pairs, laboratory work can develop interpersonal communication, team working, active listening, problem solving, time management, and trust and responsibility.

Readings/Bibliography

D.L. Nelson M.M. Cox “I Principi di Biochimica di Lehninger” Ed. Zanichelli

K.J. Denniston, J.J. Topping, R.L. Caret “Chimica generale Chimica Organica Propedeutica Biochimica” Ed. McGraw-Hill

M. Lieberman, A.D. Marks “Biochimica Medica: un approccio clinico” Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

Teaching material on Virtuale (https://virtuale.unibo.it )

Laboratory procedures will be available also on line on Virtuale.

Teaching methods

Lecture on the general issues related to laboratory activity. As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend Module 1, 2 online, while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme.

The course is aimed at verifying through experiments some of the topics presented during the lectures of general biochemistry.

Assessment methods

Laboratory activity contributes to the achievement of the learning outcomes of the Integrated Course in Biochemistry. The degree of learning is verified through the Biochemistry exam. The student can voluntarily submit on the Virtuale platform (by July 25, 2027) a file containing the two graphs (vmax as a function of [S] and double reciprocal plot) relating to the kinetic study of lactase as well as the kM and vmax values experimentally determined. The lecturer will correct the report and provide feedback to the student. The evaluation expressed is solely a formative assessment and does not contribute in any way to the final evaluation of the I.C. Biochemistry.

Teaching tools

Slides and videos.

Teaching material can be downloaded through Virtuale (https://virtuale.unibo.it).

Office hours

See the website of Paola Taddei