72836 - Biomedical Chemistry

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has the basic knowledge related to some of the most modern chemical methodologies used in the bio-medical field for the determination of the structure of biological macromolecules, for the formation of diagnostic images in the therapeutic field for radioprotection purposes. In particular, the student has advanced interdisciplinary scientific skills allowing collaboration with colleagues in biological and medical areas.

Course contents

Module 1

Radiation

1. Electromagnetic spectrum
2. Wave-particle duality
3. Particle and non-particle radiation
4. Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation

Ionizing radiation

1. Standard Model for Describing Elementary Particles
2. Atomic nuclei and radionuclides
3. Radioactive decay processes
4. Natural and artificial sources of radioactivity
5. Radiation sources and detectors
6. Propagation of ionizing radiation through matter
7. Interaction of ionizing radiation with biological substrates
8. Risks associated with nuclear emissions
9. Law of radioactive decay and natural activity
10. Radiation protection: quantities and regulations
11. Use of radioisotopes in chemistry and biochemistry
12. Principles of radiotherapy
13. Principles of conventional radiology
14. Contrast agents
15. Tomography and scintigraphy
16. Computerized tomographic techniques
17. Image reconstruction via back-projection

Digital signal processing methods

1. Analog and Digital Signals
2. Signal acquisition: sampling and quantization
3. ADC/DAC
4. Signal analysis and synthesis using Fourier series
5. Fourier transform
6. Convolution product and convolution theorem
7. Matrix formulation of the Fourier transform
8. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)
9. Nyquist theorem
10. Aliasing
11. Apodization
12. Spectral dispersion
13. Windowing techniques
14. Digital filtering
15. Zero-filling
16. Multidimensional Fourier transform
17. Fourier transform in polar coordinates
18. Filtered back-projection algorithm
19. Techniques for managing sensitivity and resolution in one- and two-dimensional signals
20. Gray scale manipulation techniques in images

Magnetic Resonance Techniques

1. Magnetic properties of atomic nuclei
2. Continuous wave magnetic resonance
3. Scalar and dipolar coupling
4. Transverse and longitudinal relaxation processes
5. Nuclear Overhauser effect
6. Macroscopic magnetization
7. Fourier transform magnetic resonance
8. Components of an FT-NMR spectrometer
9. Down-conversion
10. Quadrature detection
11. Pulse sequence
12. Two-dimensional NMR
13. Determination of biological macromolecule structures
14. Diagnostic imaging
15. Atomic composition of the human body
16. Proton density values and relaxation times in tissues
17. Contrast agents

Module 2

Physical Chemistry of the Cell

1. Dimensionality of cellular components
2. Molecular census of a cell
3. Energy in the life of a cell
4. Biological electricity
5. Dynamics of molecular motors and nanostructures within the cell
6. Techniques for visualizing cells and cellular components
7. Laboratory: creation of functional images of living cells

Anonymous Statistical Survey

Once 2/3 of the lessons for each module have been completed, a statistical survey will be conducted to gather students' opinions on the course in order to improve its effectiveness.

Readings/Bibliography

The following readings are required for exam preparation:

• Materials distributed by the instructors, including lecture notes and slides presented during class, made available online through the official teaching materials platform Insegnamenti OnLine.
• Rob Phillips, Jane Kondev, Julie Theriot – Physical Biology of the Cell, chapters 1, 2, 3, 5 and 16 (Module 2).

We also recommend reading "Cell Biology by the numbers" by Ron Milo and Rob Phillips.

To further explore the content of Module 1, the following useful links are suggested:

Live Chart of Nuclides

• https://www-nds.iaea.org/relnsd/vcharthtml/VChartHTML.html
• https://www.nndc.bnl.gov/

IAEA Data Platform

• https://data.iaea.org/

IAEA Students Corner

• https://humanhealth.iaea.org/HHW/MedicalPhysics/TheMedicalPhysicist/Studentscorner/

Diagnostic Radiology Physics: A Handbook for Teachers and Students

• https://humanhealth.iaea.org/HHW/MedicalPhysics/TheMedicalPhysicist/Studentscorner/HandbookforTeachersandStudents/ (book+slides)
  
• https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1564webNew-74666420.pdf

Nuclear Medicine Physics: A Handbook for Teachers and Students

• https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1617web-1294055.pdf
  

Image Analysis

• https://www.robots.ox.ac.uk/~az/lectures/ia/

Medical Imaging Systems - An Introductory Guide

• https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-96520-8

Teaching methods

The course consists of 6 ECTS credits, divided into 2 modules.

• Module 1 (Instructor: Assimo Maris) is entirely theoretical and consists of 4 credits of lectures, where concepts are introduced using a traditional blackboard or video projection.

• Module 2 (Instructor: Stefania Rapino) includes 1 credit of theory and 1 credit of laboratory work, which will take place over several sessions aimed at applying the concepts learned during the lectures.

Given the types of activities and teaching methods used, participation in this course requires all students to complete Modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode via the following link:

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

Additionally, students must attend Module 3, which provides specific training on health and safety in study environments, either 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.

Assessment methods

Learning is assessed solely through a final oral exam conducted in the presence of both instructors.

The purpose of the exam is to evaluate the student's ability to apply their knowledge and perform the necessary logical-deductive reasoning.

The exam lasts 30–45 minutes and involves the discussion of three topics covered throughout the course, structured as follows:

• Discussion of two topics from the theoretical part of the course
• Discussion of laboratory experiences

The final grade reflects a joint evaluation of the content expressed during the exam.

As a guideline, the following evaluation criteria are provided:

• Failing

  • Incomplete knowledge of the subject
  • Lack of orientation within the topics
  • Inappropriate language

• Passing

  • Minimal knowledge of the subject
  • Analytical ability emerges only with the instructor’s help
  • Barely appropriate language

• Adequate

  • Good memorized knowledge of the subject
  • Fair argumentative ability
  • Correct language

• Excellent

  • Clear understanding and mastery of the subject
  • Excellent ability to elaborate and argue
  • Specific and appropriate language

https://corsi.unibo.it/magistrale/Chimica/qualita-corso/@@esami-voto-medio

Teaching tools

Blackboard, video projector, internet connection.

Computer/chemical-physical laboratory practicals.

The teaching materials presented during the lectures will be made available to students in electronic format on the official course website.

Students who require compensatory tools due to temporary or permanent disabilities, or specific learning disorders (SLD) may contact the appropriate University office well in advance:

• https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en

The office will be responsible for proposing any necessary adjustments, which must be submitted at least 15 days before the exam date for the lecturer's approval. The lecturer will assess their appropriateness in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Assimo Maris

See the website of Stefania Rapino