C8341 - METABOLISM

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student has a thorough understanding of metabolism at the cellular level, with an emphasis on the central pathways common to nearly all cells. The student fully appreciates the significance of individual metabolic pathways and their regulation by exploring the broad range of hormones and hormonal mechanisms. The course then focuses on the tissue-specific functions governed by these regulatory mechanisms. The student is able to comprehend the specialized metabolism of major organs and tissues, as well as the integration of metabolic processes across the entire organism. The student also learns to coordinate the metabolic activities of different tissues and optimize the allocation of fuels and precursors to each organ.

Course contents

The syllabus is structured as follows:

Lectures:

• Regulation of metabolism: hormonal control of metabolism aims to understand the roles of insulin, glucagon, and catecholamines in coordinating metabolism in different tissues and in regulating energy production (14 hours);
• Rumen metabolism: rumen fermentation of polysaccharides and ATP yeld in rumen fermentation of carbohydrates. Protein degradation and catabolism of nitrogen compounds in the rumen. Rumen metabolism of ammonia and amino acid synthesis. Lipid metabolism and rumen production of methane (10 hours);
• Mechanism of cell death: include intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT)-driven necrosis, ferroptosis, parthanatos, pyroptosis, necroptosis, and PANoptosis. The course examines the molecular signaling pathways regulating these processes, with emphasis on death receptor signaling, Bcl-2 family proteins, mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization by BAX and BAK, ATP synthase-dependent mPTP formation, iron-driven lipid peroxidation in ferroptosis, PARP-mediated cell death in parthanatos, gasdermin activation in pyroptosis, and mitochondria-dependent inflammatory responses and quality-control mechanisms, including migrasome-mediated mitocytosis (16 hours only for Metabolism moldule 2).

Pratical session:

• Overview of cell metabolism: the sum of the enzyme-catalyzed reactions of the metabolic pathways involved in the degradative or biosynthesis phase of macromolecules (12 hours).

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en ).

Teaching methods

The course includes theoretical lectures.

Assessment methods

The assessment for the course consists of one oral exam:

In evaluating the oral exam, the instructor will use the following grading scale:

- Basic understanding of only a few course topics; analysis skills emerge only with the instructor’s help; generally correct language → 18–22

- Limited knowledge of several topics; independent analysis only on procedural issues; correct language use → 23–26

- Broad knowledge of course topics; ability to make autonomous critical judgments; mastery of discipline-specific terminology → 27–29

- Comprehensive understanding of course content; fully independent critical analysis and connections; excellent command of terminology and argumentation skills → 30–30 with honors

The result of the oral exam will be communicated at the end of the session. The minimum passing grade is 18/30.

The exam is considered passed only if all parts are successfully completed. The final grade is determined by the average of the grades from the various parts of the exam, expressed out of 30). A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required.

Negative results are not graded numerically but recorded as “withdrawn” or “failed” in the electronic transcript on AlmaEsami, and do not affect the student’s academic record. Students may reject the final grade only once by informing the course examiner via email within 5 working days.

The designated course contact for this course is Prof. Salvatore Nesci.

Students can register for exams through the AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/). Exams are scheduled during the designated periods in the academic calendar. Additional sessions are available for students beyond the standard program duration.

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

With regard to the learning assessment, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations, videos.

In case of difficulty understanding the course content, the instructor is available for clarification meetings, which must be scheduled via email.

Office hours

See the website of Salvatore Nesci