91012 - Applied Medical Biochemistry (Gr.A)

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to give a basic knowledge about the major techniques and principles which underlie biochemical experiments and clinical analysis the outcome of which culminate in enabling the student to perform and analyze data of various biochemical assays also used to diagnose diseases affecting various organs, tissue, and systems of human body.

Course contents

Module 1 - Prof. Cecilia Prata (4 ECTS, 32 h)

1. INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE AND TO APPLIED MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY

General principles of biochemical investigations and fundamental concepts
Preparative and/or Analytical Methods (e.g Principles of Liquid Chromatography_Chromatographic_ Methods for Protein or AA Purification_ Biochemical and clinical applications)

2. CELL CULTURES

Centrifugation and Centrifugal sedimentation techniques

3. BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES

3b. ANTIBODIES – DETECTION, PRODUCTION AND THEIR USE AS BIOCHEMICAL TOOLS (see also IMMUNOENZYMATIC TECNIQUES)

4. SPECTROPHOTOMETRY: ultraviolet and visible light spectroscopy (principles, instrumentation, biochemical and clinical applications) .

5. SPECTROFLUORIMETRY: principles, instrumentation, biochemical and clinical applications. Fluorescent probes.

5b. CYTOFLUORIMETRY: principles, instrumentation, biochemical and clinical applications.

6. CHEMILUMINESCENCE: principle, instrumentation, biochemical and clinical applications.

7. IMMUNOENZYMATIC TECNIQUES: ELISA, Immunofluorescence, DELFIA, RIA biochemical and clinical applications

8. ELECTROPHORETIC TECNIQUES, WESTERN BLOTTING: principles, instrumentation, biochemical and clinical applications.

9. RADIOISOTOPIC TECNIQUES: principles, instrumentation, biochemical and clinical applications.

Module 2 - Prof. Maria Cristina Barbalace (1 ECTS, 8 h frontal lesson and 15 hours laboratory)

1. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TECNIQUES

2. EVALUATION OF PLASMA / SERUM ENZYMES FOR DIAGNOSTIC PURPOSES – Reading of general blood and urine analyses report

3. TUMOR MARKERS: definition, classification, examples of diagnostic and prognostic applications.

Module 3 - Prof. Maria Cristina Barbalace (GR.A) and Prof. Cecilia Prata (GR.B) (1 ECTS 15 hours laboratory)

· As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend Module 1, 2 [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas] online, while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class or on Microsoft Teams according to the modality chosen by the teacher. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme.

Laboratory Practice:

CELL CULTURES TECHNIQUES

SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC ASSAY (protein assay, evaluation of antioxidant power)

ASSAYS OF CLINICAL INTEREST

Readings/Bibliography

-Wilson and Walker's Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (8th edition, 2018) -

EDITORS: Andreas Hofmann and Samuel Clokie

Teaching methods

The "Applied Medical Biochemistry" course includes 3 Modules:

Module 1 - 4 frontal credits, in which a series of biochemical techniques and their medical application will be considered,

Module 2 - 1 frontal credit and

Module 3- 1 credit of laboratory during which biochemical problems will be addressed from a practical point of view.

The file pdf of the file ppt presented during the lectures will be uploaded and available in the Virtual Learning Platform.

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students (including all the international incoming exchange students, i.e. ERASMUS) must attend Module 1, 2 online [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio], 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 ("studiare"--"formazione obbligatoria su sicurezza e salute").

Assessment methods

The single exam for all the 2 modules aims to assess the achievement of the following objectives:

- to recognize the main tools and methods of analysis useful for the study of biological samples

- to illustrate how these tools work

- to recognize the results produced by the above methods of analysis from a diagnostic / prognostic point of view

- to carry out simple tests (Lab activities)

The exam consists of a written evaluation, in class or online .

The exam is made up of multiple-choice questions and 2 open-ended questions

Registration to AlmaEsami is required

Teaching tools

Virtuale platform (PPt presentations, Videos and scientific papers)

Laboratory equipment

Office hours

See the website of Cecilia Prata

See the website of Maria Cristina Barbalace

See the website of Maria Cristina Barbalace