Biomembranes: Biomedical and Biotechnological Foundations and Applications
Code: 107985 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry | OP | 4 |
Contact
- Name:
- Ramon Barnadas Rodriguez
- Email:
- ramon.barnadas@uab.cat
Teachers
- Alejandro Peralvarez Marin
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
General concepts related to biochemistry and physical chemistry.
Objectives and Contextualisation
To interpret the properties derived from the composition and molecular organization of biological membranes.
To know the structural and dynamic characteristics of the major components of biological membranes: lipids and proteins.
To establish the relationships between the molecular structure of lipids and proteins with their physiological functions and diseases.
To know the molecular mechanisms of signal transduction through cell envelopes or the transport of molecules through biological membranes.
To know methods and techniques used in the study of biomembranes.
To relate the composition of the components of lipid drug delivery systems with their properties.
Learning Outcomes
- CM36 (Competence) Explain the fundamental aspects of a topic in the field of biophysics orally.
- KM39 (Knowledge) Describe the physical foundations and applications of spectroscopic and microscopy techniques used in structural analysis and in the study of biomolecules and biological membranes.
- SM40 (Skill) Apply spectroscopy and microscopy techniques to the study of biomolecules, biomembranes and nanoparticles.
- SM41 (Skill) Apply general and specific safety standards when performing spectroscopy or handling biological materials and nanoparticles.
Content
BIOMEMBRANES: FUNDAMENTALS AND BIOMEDICAL AND BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
1. LIPIDS
1.1. Introduction. Overview of lipid classification.
1.2. Structure and function relationship of the different types of lipids.
1.3. Lipid properties and study techniques.
1.3.1. Hydrocarbon chains.
1.3.2. Interfacial region.
1.3.3. Polar head.
1.4. Lipid polymorphism. Study techniques.
1.4.1. Properties of lipid aggregates at the nanometric range.
1.4.2. Type, preparation and applications of lipid aggregates.
1.4.3. Liposomes, micelles, bicelles.
1.5. Lipidic drug delivery systems.
2. MEMBRANE PROTEINS
2.1. Classification of membrane proteins.
2.2. Modifications of membrane proteins.
2.3. Structural principles and topology of membrane proteins.
2.4. Biogenesis and folding of membrane proteins.
2.5. Experimental and computational techniques for the study of membrane proteins:
2.5.1 Expression, analysis, purification and characterization of membrane proteins.
2.5.2 Interaction of membrane proteins with biological membranes.
3. SPECIALIZED SEMINARS PERFORMED BY STUDENTS
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Master class with IT support | 35 | 1.4 | KM39, KM39 |
| Seminars regarding subject main topics. Discussion of topics. | 7 | 0.28 | CM36, CM36 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Laboratory practical sessions | 8 | 0.32 | SM40, SM41, SM40 |
| Tutoring sessions | 6 | 0.24 | KM39, SM40, SM41, KM39 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Autonomous study | 53 | 2.12 | KM39, KM39 |
| Bibliography search and seminar preparation | 30 | 1.2 | CM36, CM36 |
| Deliverables | 2 | 0.08 | KM39, KM39 |
The theory classes will be in complete groups.
There will be seminars in which students will present in small groups subjects related to different aspects of the structure and function of the biological membranes.
Attendance at the seminars will be monitored, and the mark obtained will be considered only when attendance is equal to or greater than 80 % of the seminars.
The practical classes will consist of 2 laboratory sessions:
1.- Obtaining phospholipid / surfactant phase diagram (4 hours).
2.- Quantification of the entrapment of a hydrophilic molecule into liposomes (4 hours).
USE OF AI
For this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted exclusively in support tasks, such as bibliographic or information searches, text correction or translations. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final result of the activity. The lack of transparency in the use of AI in this assessable activity will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a partial or total penalty in the grade of the activity, or greater sanctions in serious cases.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluation of deliverables | 10% | 2 | 0.08 | CM36, KM39 |
| Evaluation of oral presentations | 6% | 3 | 0.12 | CM36, KM39, SM40 |
| Evaluation of practical sessions | 14% | 1 | 0.04 | KM39, SM40, SM41 |
| Evaluation of theoretical knowledge. Short answer test and multiple-choice test. | 70% (Multiple-choice 60% + Short-answer 40%) | 3 | 0.12 | KM39, SM40 |
1. CONTINUOUS EVALUATION
It consists of the following parts:
(a) Two eliminatory partial exams of theoretical knowledge subject (35 % of the final grade each).
b) An evaluation of the laboratory practices (14 %). Attendance to the practical sessions is mandatory. The student will obtain the grade of "Not evaluable" when the absence is higher than 20 % of the scheduled sessions.
c) An evaluation of evaluable work proposed throughout the course (10 %).
d) An evaluation of the seminars (6 %), in case of complying with the attendance indicated in Methodology (equal or superior to 80 % of the seminars).
A minimum passing grade of 4 in each one of the two theoretical exams is required to pass the subject.
Students who have not passed any of them, and who have been evaluated in a set of activities whose weight is equivalent to a minimum of 67 % of the total grade of the course, may take a recovery exam that will consist of the parts not passed.
The student will obtain the grade of "Not Evaluable" when the evaluation activities carried out have a weight of less than 67 % in the final grade.
Configuration of the tests
As for thetwo eliminatory exams, they will consist of multiple-choice questions and short questions.
The evaluation of the laboratory practices will be based on the work and the results obtained, which will be presented in a report (14 %).
It is necessary to deliver throughout the course the works that will be proposed (10 %).
The evaluation of the seminars will be based on the evaluation of the presentation sessions (6 %).
2. SINGLE EVALUATION
Students who take advantage of the single evaluation must carry out the laboratory practices. An attendance of less than 80% of the scheduled sessions isnot allowed.
Regarding the evaluation, it will be done coinciding with the last continuous evaluation test.
The test will consist of the following parts:
(a) An exam on lipids and on proteins (35 % each). To pass the course it is indispensable to have obtained a minimum grade of 4 in each of these parts.
b) The delivery of the practical report (14 %).
c) An oral test on the works proposed throughout the course (10 %).
d) The presentation and oral discussion of an article with the professors (6 %).
Students who have not passed any of the parts of the single evaluation, may take a recovery exam that will consist of the parts not passed. The recovery exam will take place the same day than that of the continuous evaluation.
3. FINAL MARK
Weighted mean of a) to d). To pass the subject the overall mark should be 5.0 or higher.
According to article 266 of the UAB Academic Regulations (Assessment Results): “6. Once the subject has been passed, it cannot be subject to a new assessment.”
4. EXAM REVIEW
On-demand exam reviewing will be done individually with the student.
Bibliography
Research articles that are part of the teaching materials.
Software
UCSF Chimera
https://www.cgl.ucsf.edu/chimera/
VMD (Visual Molecular Dynamics)
https://www.ks.uiuc.edu/Research/vmd/
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 341 | Catalan | first semester | afternoon |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 342 | Catalan | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 341 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 34 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |