THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELING

Course objectives

Module 2 - Cellular and functional biochemistry II Knowledge and ability to understand Knowledge of the systems responsible for the signaling pathways and of the transduction of intra- and extracellular signals, with particular attention to the function performed by the protein components and their mechanism of action. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding At the end of the course the student will have acquired knowledge of the main signaling pathways and of the transduction of intra- and extracellular signals useful for the rational design and development of new drugs. Communication skills and learning skills Students will be able to critically describe the main signaling and transduction pathways of cellular signals.

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MARGHERITA EUFEMI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
Module 1- Cellular and functional biochemistry I (6CFU BIO/10) Homeostasis: Signal transduction mechanisms (GPCR, G proteins, second messengers, PKA, PKC, Receptor tyrosine kinases, nuclear receptors, guanylyl cyclases). Proteostasis: regulation of protein synthesis; folding, chaperones, oxidative stress and diseases associated with protein misfolding; unfolding protein response; post-translational modifications; intracellular trafficking; lysosomal and proteasomal degradation (ubiquitin protein system). Transcriptional and translational regulation of gene expression. Nutritional control of metabolism: Bioenergetics and its regulation (insulin, glucagon, cortisol, adrenaline); low fuel warning system, AMPK; flight or fight response; transcriptional regulators SREBP, ChREBP; control of proteostasis: mTOR, FOXO-1. Sirtuins and PGC-1. Basics of organ biochemistry (liver, muslces, adipose tissue), insulin resistance. Control of respiration. Module 2- Cellular and functional biochemistry II (3CFU BIO/11) The cell nucleus: nuclear structure and chromatin organization; regulation of DNA functions, nuclear dynamics, histone and DNA modifications; non-coding RNAs and RNA interference; DNA damage and repair systems. Cell cycle: proteins involved (cyclins, CDK); role of Rb and E2F; control of the cell cycle, checkpoints, inhibitors, and the role of p53. DNA damage and repair. Cell death: necrosis and apoptosis; proteins involved in apoptosis (initiators, regulators and effectors); extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis; the role of apoptosis. Hypoxia, HIF-1alpha; metabolic shift and Warburg effect. Autophagy.
Prerequisites
basic knowledge of biochemistry, molecular and cell biology
Books
La Biochimica di Thomas M. Devlin, VI ed., EdiSES
Frequency
highly desired
Bibliography
Available in the webpage on the e-learning platform
Lesson mode
In person lectures
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CoursePharmaceutical Biotechnology
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year1st year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDBIO/11
  • CFU3