39305 - Applied Medical Biochemistry

Learning outcomes

The student will be able to acquire knowledge on analytical procedures and on the interpretation of biochemical profiles and serum markers in the main biological fluids. The student will be able to understand the meaning of a biochemical-clinical profile for the maintenance of the state of health or for the evaluation of a specific pathological condition. At the end of the course the student will also acquire the knowledge to understand the role that a healthy lifestyle plays in the modification of biochemical-clinical parameters and in the prevention of pathologies.

Course contents

Program:

1. PRE-ANALYTICAL and ANALYTICAL PHASE: from taking the biological sample to the report. Collection, handling and storage of the biological sample. Main interferents in a blood sample. Concepts of analytical performance. Methodological errors. Concepts of false positive and negative. Reference values and biological variability.

1.1. Main techniques used in clinical biochemistry. Deepening of spectrophotometric, immunochemical and electrophoretic techniques.

1.2. Dosages of enzymatic activity. Direct, indirect and coupled methods. Lactate test and sports activity.

2. BLOOD

2.1. Composition and main blood cells

2.2. Plasma and serum

2.3. Complete blood count. Main analytical parameters and their clinical significance.

2.4.Test for food alergies

2.5. Blood test and pathological pictures. The iron cycle. Importance of nutrition in anemias. 

3. URINE

3.1. Composition and main components

3.2. Urine analysis. Physical, chemical characteristics and examination of the sediment. Test strips for semi-quantitative analysis of urine. Pathophysiological conditions associated with alterations in analytical parameters. Role of the diet in the development of kideny stones

3.3. Urine analysis and doping

3.4. Urine test to monitor a ketogenic diet

4. BIOCHEMICAL PROFILES of clinical relevance

4.1. Carbohydrate profile. Glucose metabolism and hormonal regulation. Diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2. Glycated hemoglobin and glycemic curve. Enzyme dosage methods and operation of portable glucosemeters.

4.2. Protein profile. Plasma proteins and their functions. Albumin, complement proteins and acute phase proteins. Pre-albumin and nutritional status. Protidogram and pathological states, such inflammation.

4.3. Lipid profile. Plasma lipoproteins: site of production and main functions. Role of essential fatty acids. Enzymatic assay of cholesterol.

5. ENZYMATIC and BIOCHEMICAL PROFILES of ORGANS and EQUIPMENT

5.1. Enzymes and Isoenzymes. Brief review of the functioning of an enzyme and hints of enzymatic kinetics. Use of enzymes in clinical biochemistry. Possible interferents of an enzyme assay. Definition of isoenzyme. Enzymatic profiles.

5.2. Dosage of enzymes for diagnostic purposes. Description of the main enzymes used in diagnostics, evaluation of their clinical significance and description of the method of assaying the enzymatic activity and for the evaluation of the related isoforms. Lactic dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase.

5.3. Cardiac profile. Myocardial infarction and atherosclerotic plaque. Main diagnostic markers. Myoglobin and troponins. Enzymatic profile. Heart failure and decompensation: main biomarkers. Influence of lifestyle. Sports and cardiac markers.

5.4. Liver and pancreatic profile. Hints of liver function. Liver damage markers: cytolysis markers, cholestasis markers, protidosynthesis markers and conjugation markers. Enzymatic profiles and clinical significance. Clinical case of liver steatosis. Pancreatic profile: amylase and lipase. Pancreatic enzymes and nutrition.

6. TUMOR MARKERS. Tumorigenesis. Concept of oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Characteristics of tumor markers and description of the main tumor markers in diagnostics. Concept of liquid biopsy and circulating markers. Lifestyles in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Obesisty and cancer.

PRACTICAL EXERCISES IN THE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY (8h, only for the LM course in Human Nutrition)

Experience 1:

• Operation and preparation of a biological hood (video + practice)

• Work in sterile conditions 

• Practical learning of the use of the automatic pipettor (video + practice)

• Practical learning of the use of micropipettes 

• Cell cultures in sospension and adesion. Collection of cell supernatant by centrifugation.

• Quantitative measurement of the concentration of lactate in various biological samples by building a calibration curve by using a 'standard' with a known concentration. Spectrophotometric analysis by using a multiplate reader. Construction of the calibration curve using an Excel sheet and interpolation of the absorbance data of the unknown sample for the determination of the lactate concentration in the unknown sample.

Experience 2:

• Operation of a portable blood glucose meter with strip for blood glucose measurement

• Semi-quantitative multi-parametric analysis of the chemical characteristics of a urine sample using reactive strips

• Staining of a blood blood smear on glass slide

• Gel electrophoresis

 

Readings/Bibliography

Biochimica Clinica Essenziale. E. Albi. Zanichelli.

Biochimica Clinica di Laboratorio. M. Ciaccio. Edises.

Medicina di Laboratorio - Logica e patologia clinica. Antonazzi, Gulletta. Piccin.

Power point of theoretical lessons.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons. Practical exercises (biological laboratory).

Assessment methods

Written pre-test with 20 multiple-choice questions and two open-ended questions. Subsequent rounds will consist of an oral examination.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities may contact the University's SLD and Disability Support Office to request any necessary accommodations for the examination.

https://www.unibo.it/en/campus-rimini/campus-services/urp/disabled-and-dyslexic-students

Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a valuable tool to support individual learning by providing explanations, summaries, and self-assessment activities. However, during in-person examinations, the use of AI is strictly prohibited. Any use of AI during an examination constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

 

Teaching tools

The teacher participates in the Integrative Digital Education program. All the contents shown in class, together with other general information, are available in advance on the Virtual platform. The recording of the lessons will be made available through the Panopto and Virtual platform.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Fornari