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10587 - Bioinorganic Chemistry

Academic Year 2020/2021

                
                        Docente:
                        Simona Fermani
                    
                        Credits:
                        4
                    
                        SSD:
                        CHIM/03
                    
                        Language:
                        Italian
                    
                        Moduli:
                        
                            Silvia Panzavolta
                            (Modulo 2)
                        
                            Simona Fermani
                            (Modulo 1)
                        
                        Teaching Mode:
                        
                                    Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
                                
                                    Traditional lectures (Modulo 1)
                                
                            Campus:
                            Bologna
                        
                            Corso:
                            Second cycle degree programme (LM) in
                            Chemistry (cod. 9072)

                            Teaching resources on Virtuale

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student is able to recognize the chemical principles underlying the biological chemistry of the elements, identify the processes of uptake, transport and regulation concerning metals and the way they can be exploited for applications. In addition, he will recognize the biological function of a metal and relate it to the structural properties of the macromolecule where it is inserted.

Course contents

Course program

MODULE 1 (Prof.ssa Fermani)

• Structure and function of metalloproteins and metalloenzymes:
- Biochemistry of Fe
- Biochemistry of Zn
- Biochemistry of Cu
- Hints on the biochemistry of Mn and Ni

• Biological role of I and II group ions:
- Mode of transport of essential ions (Na+ / K+)
- Complexes of Mg2+ with nucleotides
- Ca2+ as second messenger

MODULE 2 (Prof.ssa Panzavolta)

Biological role of calcium:
- Bioavailability and functions
- Bioavailability in food
- Role as an activator of cellular processes, in the contraction of muscles and in biomineralization processes
- Biomineralization in vertebrates: bone tissue formation.
Biotoxicity of some metals
Organometallic compounds used as drugs:
- New Anticancer Drugs Based on Transition Metal (eg Ti, Pt, Ru)
- Gold-containing Drugs Used in the Therapy of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Readings/Bibliography

Slide and teaching material is made available in the IOL platform.

Suggested books for details:

1) Principles of Bioinorganic Chemistry, S.J. Lippard, J. M. Berg
University Science Book (1994).
2) Bioinorganic Chemistry, Bertini, Gray, Lippard, Valentine
University Science Book (1994).
3) Inorganic Biochemistry- An introduction, J.A. Cowan
Wiley-VCH (1997

Teaching methods

Classroom lectures will be given

Assessment methods

An oral exam will evaluate the students ability on theoretical and practical knowledge in the course subjects (both modules).

Teaching tools

Videoprojector and PC. Power point presentations used during the lessons and any research material will be provided to the students in electronic format.

Office hours

See the website of Simona Fermani

See the website of Silvia Panzavolta