Universidad de Jaén

PROGRAM OF THEORY

1: Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

2: Amino acids. The peptide bond. Protein structures.

3: Structure-function relationships of proteins.

4: Proteomic.

5: Enzymes: Classification. Catalytic mechanisms. Coenzymes. Kinetic parameters. Inhibitors of enzymes. Allosterism in enzymes. Isoenzymes. Zymogens.

6: Nucleotides. Nucleic acids: DNA and RNA. Structure of nucleic acids.

7: DNA replication. Mutations. Repair mechanisms.

8: Transcription: biological synthesis of RNA

9: Translation: biological synthesis of proteins.

10: Technical handling of nucleic acids. Purification. Hybridization. The polymerase chain reaction. Recombinant DNA technology. Genomics.

11: Thermodynamics of biochemical processes. Gibbs free energy. Energy of biological redox reactions.

12: Metabolism: Metabolic pathways. Catabolism and anabolism. General mechanisms of metabolic regulation.

13: The Krebs cycle. Anaplerotic reactions. Ketones.

14: Oxidative phosphorylation. Photophosphorylation.

15: Carbohydrates.

16: Metabolism of carbohydrates: Glycolysis. Fermentations. Glycogen synthesis and degradation. Gluconeogenesis. Pentose phosphate pathway. The Calvin-Beson cycle.

17: Lipids.

18: Lipid Metabolism: Degradation and synthesis of fatty acid. Synthesis of triacylglycerols and glycerophospholipids. Cholesterol synthesis. Lipid mobilization in human. Lipoproteins.

19: Metabolism of nitrogenous compounds: Degradation of proteins and amino acids. Deamination and transamination. The urea cycle. Nucleotide synthesis and degradation.

20: Metabolic profile of the main human organs and hormonal regulation.

PROGRAM OF LABORATORY

Session 1: Purification of a protein by affinity chromatography.

Session 2: Protein electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)

Session 3: Western-blot

Session 4: Kinetic characterization of an enzyme activity.

Session 5: Analysis of glycogen.

Session 6: Analysis of triacylglycerols and cholesterol in blood samples. Analysis of lipid peroxidation derivatives in foods.

Session 7: Polymerase chain reaction and DNA electrophoresis in agarose gel.

Theory classes.

Practical laboratory sessions in small groups where the student will apply different techniques and experimental protocols related to the theoretical contents. The student will have to collect and discuss the obtained results after each practical session.

Practical activities and problem resolution in small groups.

Individual and collective tutorial sessions, where the student will be able to ask and solve questions guided by the professor.

Students with special educational needs should contact the Student Attention Service (Servicio de Atención y Ayudas al Estudiante) in order to receive the appropriate academic support

Theory will be evaluated by a written test. It is needed to obtain at least an score of 5 of 10 points in this examination in order to add the scores of the other activities to the global qualification.

Attendance to all of the practical sessions will be mandatory (exceptions will be made in case of properly justified situations). Global qualification of practical contents will depend on results obtained in laboratory sessions (50%) and a practices examination (50%).

Attendance to all of the problem resolution sessions will be mandatory (exceptions will be made in case of properly justified situations). Problem resolution sessions will be evaluated accordingly to the results obtained in these sessions.