Structural Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Code: 103596 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2502442 Medicine | FB | 1 |
Contact
- Name:
- Carles Gil Giro
- Email:
- carles.gil@uab.cat
Teachers
- Carles Gil Giro
- Jordi Ortiz de Pablo
- Carlos Alberto Saura Antolin
- Montserrat Solé Piñol
- Jose Manuel Lopez Blanco
- Belen Ramos Josemaria
- Maria Antonia Baltrons Soler
- Roser Masgrau Juanola
- Alfredo Jesús Miñano Molina
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
There are no official prerequisites. However, it is convenient to review the following subjects of the baccalaureate program:
- Chemical binding types
- Chemical balance. Acid-base balance
- Formulation of organic chemistry
- Types of chemical reactions
- Structure and components of eukaryotic cells
Objectives and Contextualisation
The subject is programmed in the first year of the Degree in Medicine (first semester) and forms part of the group of basic education skills. It is, therefore, part of the scientific basis necessary for the training of medical graduates. Its general objectives are the study of the chemical basis of life, specifically applied to the composition and function of the human organism, and the knowledge of the main biochemical elements that contribute to the improvement of medical practice. The subject has a close relationship and complementarity with Biophysics and Cell Biology subjects, both programmed in the first year of the degree.
The achievement of its objectives, in addition to its general importance in the degree, is essential as a basis for the Metabolic Biochemistry subject, scheduled in the second semester of the first course, and is also relevant for several later subjects such as those corresponding to the fields of Physiology, Pharmacology, Genetics, Immunology and Endocrinology.
Competences
- Communicate clearly, orally and in writing, with other professionals and the media.
- Critically assess and use clinical and biomedical information sources to obtain, organise, interpret and present information on science and health.
- Demonstrate basic research skills.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and physical, biochemical and biological processes that help to understand the functioning of the organism and its disorders.
- Demonstrate understanding of the basic sciences and the principles underpinning them.
- Demonstrate understanding of the importance and the limitations of scientific thought to the study, prevention and management of diseases.
- Demonstrate understanding of the mechanisms of alterations to the structure and function of the systems of the organism in illness.
- Demonstrate understanding of the organisation and functions of the genome, the mechanisms of transmission and expression of genetic information and the molecular and cellular bases of genetic analysis.
- Demonstrate understanding of the structure and function of the body systems of the normal human organism at different stages in life and in both sexes.
- Demonstrate, in professional activity, a perspective that is critical, creative and research-oriented.
- Formulate hypotheses and compile and critically assess information for problem-solving, using the scientific method.
- Maintain and sharpen one's professional competence, in particular by independently learning new material and techniques and by focusing on quality.
- Use information and communication technologies in professional practice.
Learning Outcomes
- Communicate clearly, orally and in writing, with other professionals and the media.
- Demonstrate basic research skills.
- Demonstrate, in professional activity, a perspective that is critical, creative and research-oriented.
- Describe the basic molecular mechanisms of storage, transmission and expression of hereditary information.
- Describe the molecular basis of the structure of the biological macromolecules and of how this structure conditions their activity.
- Describe the role of of the biomolecules that participate in the life processes of the human organism.
- Explain the mechanisms and relate the molecular processes that can be the cause or the consequence of pathological manifestations in the organism.
- Explain the molecular significance of the structure and function of the systems of the human organism.
- Formulate hypotheses and compile and critically assess information for problem-solving, using the scientific method.
- Identify the basic processes of life on various levels of organisation: molecule, cell, tissue, organ, and individual.
- Identify the biochemical tools that help to improve medicine.
- Identify the chemical bases that help to understand the functioning of the organism, at both cell and tissue level.
- Identify the mechanisms of enzymatic transformation of biomolecules.
- Identify the rules that govern energy transfer in the chemical processes of the human organism.
- Maintain and sharpen one's professional competence, in particular by independently learning new material and techniques and by focusing on quality.
- Make correct use of biochemistry terminology.
- Relate alterations to the structure and function of biomolecules to structural and functional alterations to systems of the human organism.
- Relate the molecular and cellular processes that can be the cause or the consequence pathological manifestations in the organism.
- Relate the molecular mechanisms that can generate pathological manifestations in the organism.
- Use information and communication technologies in professional practice.
- Use specific bibliographic sources and databases on biochemistry to work independently on acquiring further knowledge.
Content
In addition to the basic physicochemical principles, the contents of the course include the description of the structure and functional roles of biological macromolecules, with special emphasis on the relationship between chemical structure and biological function. It also incorporates the acquisition of skills in some basic techniques of the biochemical laboratory and the conceptual and methodological language of molecular biology.
Thematic blocks of theory and seminars:
Topic I. MOLECULAR CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING MATTER (2 h)
- Chemical elements of living matter
- Biomolecules
- Composition and characteristics of the extracellular and intracellular environment
- Acid-base chemistry. Role of the bicarbonate system in maintaining blood pH
At the end of the topic there will be a seminar session (2 h)
Topic II. BIOENERGETICS (3h)
- General principles: Variation of free energy in chemical reactions
- Role of ATP and other compounds in energy transfers
- Energetics of redox reactions
At the end of the topic there will be a seminar session (2 h)
Topic III. STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF PROTEINS (5h)
- Composition, structural levels, functions and classification
- Aminoacids
- Covalent structure of peptides and proteins
- Three-dimensional structure of proteins
- Relationship between structure and function: myoglobin and hemoglobin as exemples
When finishing the subject there will be two seminar sessions (4 h)
Topic IV. ENZYMES (4h)
- General concepts
- General mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis
- Kinetics of the enzymatic reactions
- Regulation of the enzyme activity
Topic V. MEMBRANES ANDTRANSPORTATION (1h)
- Transport through membranes
At the end of topics IV and V there will be two seminar sessions (4 h)
Topic VI. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (10h)
- Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids.
- Genes and Genomes. Cloning of DNA
- Replication of DNA.
- DNA transcription and RNA maturation.
- Genetic Code and Translation.
- Regulation of gene expression.
- Molecular Biology Techniques Applied in Medicine.
When finishing the subject there will be three sessions of seminars (6 h)
LABORATORY PRACTICES
1.- Separation techniques of biomolecules: Fractionation of serum proteins in cellulose acetate and determination of molecular weights by electrophoresis in SDS-polyacrylamide.
2.- Molecular Biology: Detection of polymorphisms by PCR.
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| LABORATORY PRACTICES (PLAB) | 9.5 | 0.38 | 1, 2, 3, 6, 4, 5, 9, 11, 15, 17, 16, 21, 20 |
| SEMINARS (SEM) | 18 | 0.72 | 1, 2, 3, 6, 4, 5, 8, 7, 9, 13, 10, 12, 11, 14, 15, 19, 18, 17, 16, 21, 20 |
| THEORY (TE) | 25 | 1 | 6, 4, 5, 8, 7, 13, 10, 12, 11, 14, 19, 18, 17, 16, 21 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| ORAL PRESENTATION / EXPOSITION OF WRITTEN WORKS | 15 | 0.6 | 1, 2, 3, 6, 4, 5, 8, 7, 9, 13, 10, 12, 11, 14, 15, 19, 18, 17, 16, 21, 20 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| SELF STUDY / PREPARATION OF WRITTEN WORKS | 77.5 | 3.1 | 3, 6, 4, 5, 8, 7, 9, 13, 10, 12, 11, 14, 15, 19, 18, 17, 16, 21, 20 |
The teaching methodology will consist of theoretical classes (conferences), seminars (in which they will discuss problems and practical and clinical cases) and laboratory practices. The main teaching material for these activities will be provided through the virtual campus of the UAB.
The theoretical classes will be taught in the form of lectures for each group of full enrollment, in which teachers will also comment on the material available for the other activities, including materials for self-learning.
At the end of each topic, students will be tutored in smaller groups to discuss problems and cases of practical or clinical application. In this activity, the students will have a script with questions, problems and cases that they will have to solve previously to the class, in which they will discuss them with their classmates and with the tutor.
The laboratory practices will be carried out following a script and will include a list of questions that the students will have to solve after the practice.
Additionally, students will have specific personal tutoring within the terms agreed upon with the lecturer professor.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam 1: Written assessments through essay test and/or selection items | 50% | 2 | 0.08 | 1, 2, 3, 6, 5, 8, 7, 9, 13, 10, 12, 11, 14, 15, 19, 18, 17, 16, 21, 20 |
| Exam 2: Written assessments through essay tests and/or selection items. | 40% | 2 | 0.08 | 1, 2, 3, 6, 5, 8, 7, 9, 13, 10, 12, 11, 14, 15, 19, 18, 17, 16, 21, 20 |
| PLAB1: Evaluation of laboratory questionnaires (reasoning, redacction, graphics, calculation) | 5% | 0.5 | 0.02 | 1, 2, 3, 6, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 15, 17, 16, 21, 20 |
| PLAB2: Evaluation of laboratory questionnaires (reasoning, redacction, graphics, calculation) | 5% | 0.5 | 0.02 | 1, 2, 3, 6, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 15, 17, 16, 21, 20 |
The evaluation of this subject can be of two types, continuous or single. The continuous evaluation is the one that will be carried out by default unless the student requests the single evaluation from the Academic Management of the Faculty, request that must be made within the established deadlines (see website of the Faculty and Academic Regulations).
1. CONTINUOUS EVALUATION
The average mark of the subject is calculated from the grades obtained in 3 evaluable activities:
a) Partial exam 1, where the contents of topics 1 to 5, the tutored self-learning seminars (SAT) 1 to 6 and the PLAB1 will be evaluated. It will consist of an examination of multiple-choice items and/or essay writing, with a total weight of 50% of the final grade.
b) Partial exam 2, where the contents of topic 6, SAT 7 to 9 and PLAB2 will be evaluated. It will consist of an examination of multiple-choice items and/or essay writing, with a total weight of 40% of the final grade.
c) Evaluation of laboratory practices (PLAB) through a questionnaire or other evidence of acquisition of competences, with a total weight of 10% of the final grade (5% every one of both PLAB). Attendance to PLAB is not mandatory.
Grade
To pass the subject, it will be necessary that the grades of exam 1 (or its retake) and of exam 2 (or its retake) are, in both cases, equal to or greater than 4.5 out of 10 and the final grade, resulting from all the continuous evaluation activities is equal to or greater than 5.0 out of 10. The final grade will be calculated with the following formulas, depending on the case:
a) Final grade if partial exams are taken or the retake of a single partial exam:
Mark = [exam 1 mark (or retake) x 0.5] + [exam 2 mark (or retake) x 0.4] + [PLAB1 mark x 0.05] + [PLAB2 mark x 0.05]
b) Final grade if the global retake exam is done (retake of the two partials at the same time):
Mark = [Global retake exam mark x 0.9] + [PLAB1 mark x 0.05] + [PLAB2 mark x 0.05]
c) Final grade if single evaluation is performed (SE):
Mark = SE exam mark or its retake.
It is necessary to obtain a grade greater than or equal to 4.5 in each partial exam to be able to pass, even if the average is equal to or greater than 5.0. In this case, the average will not be made and a grade of 4.0 will be placed in the final act. Students who do not take a partial exam or the corresponding retake exam will obtain the grade of ‘Not Evaluable’. In any other case, the above formulas will be applied.
Retake Tests
a) Students who have not obtained a grade equal to or greater than 4.5 in exam 1 or in exam 2 will be able to pass the failed part of the final retake exam.
b) Students who have not obtained a grade equal to or greater than 4.5 in the two partial exams will be able to recover the whole subject by submitting to the global retake exam (which will include both parts). This test will consist of an exam of multiple selection items and/or essay writing. The mark of this exam will represent 90% of the final grade, while the remaining 10% will correspond to the PLAB grade.
c) Students who attend the single evaluation (SE, see point 2, later) and who obtain less than 5.0 in the SE exam will be able to take the SE retake exam, whose qualification will be 100% of the final grade. The subject will be considered approved with a 5.0 or more in this exam. This test will consist of an exam of multiple selection items and/or essay writing.
2. SINGLE EVALUATION
This option is subject to the authorization by the Academic Management, upon request by the student, following the established calendar. In this case, there will be a single final exam that will cover the whole syllabus of the subject (including the teaching materials of laboratory practices and seminars) and will have a weight of 100% of the mark. The exam format will be identical to that of the partial exams.
Students who have not obtained a grade equal to or greater than 5.0 in the SE exam can take the SE retake exam, and the grade obtained will have a weight of 100% of the grade and will be the final grade.
Bibliography
Books
1. Nelson DL, Cox MM. Lehninger principios de Bioquímica, 7ª ed. Barcelona: Omega; 2018.
2. Baynes JW, Dominiczak MH. Bioquímica Médica, 5ª ed. Barcelona: Elsevier; 2019.
3. Devlin TM. Bioquímica con aplicaciones clínicas. 4th ed. Wiley; 2015
4. Lieberman M, Marks A, Peet A. Bioquímica médica básica: un enfoque clínico. 6ª ed. Madrid: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2023
5. Stryer L, Berg JM, Tymoczko J. Bioquímica con aplicaciones clínicas, 7ª ed. Barcelona: Reverté; 2015.
Digital books
Bioquímica médica básica : un enfoque clínico [de] Marks / Michael Lieberman, Alisa Peet
Software
no need for specific software
Language list
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 101 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 102 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 103 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 104 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 105 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 106 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 107 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 108 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 109 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 110 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 111 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 112 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 113 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 114 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 115 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 116 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 117 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 118 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM) Seminars | 101 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 102 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 103 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 104 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 105 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 106 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 107 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 108 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 109 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 110 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 111 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 112 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 113 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 114 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 115 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 116 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 117 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 118 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (TE) Theory | 101 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (TE) Theory | 102 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (TE) Theory | 103 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (TE) Theory | 104 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |