Functional biochemistry

Course unit

title

Scientific direction

Scientific code

Faculty

Department (s)

Functional biochemistry 

Biochemistry N 004

Life Sciences Center

Institute of Biosciences

10

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Lectures

0

Consultations

3

Self-studies

6

Seminars

1

Aims of course

To deepen PhD student‘ knowledge on metabolism of the cell, regulation of biochemical processes, their networking principles and compartmentalization.

Main topics

Carbohydrate metabolism. High energy compounds. Glycolysis and glycogenolysis. Ethanol fermentation. TCA and glyoxylate cycles. Mitochondria respiratory chain. Pentose phosphate pathway. Gluconeogenesis. Photosynthesis in bacteria and plants. ROS functions in cellular metabolism.

Metabolism of lipids. Digestion of fats. Saturated, unsaturated and branched fatty acids. Production of ketonic bodies and oxydation. Biosynthesis of lipids. Metabolism of cholesterol.

Protein metabolism. Enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins. Degradation and biosynthesis of aminoacids. Removal of ammonia. Breakdown of carbon chain of aminoacids. Regulation of aminoacid metabolism. Fixation on nitrogen, production of NO and its functions.

Metabolism of nucleic acids. Degradation and biosynthesis of purines and pyrimidines. Link between carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism. Functions of human organs in metabolism. Compartmentalization and functional connection of biochemical processes in a cell.

Main literature

• D.L.Nelson, M.M.Cox. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 6th, 7th ed. Freeman, 2013, 2016.
• D.E.Metzler, Biochemistry. The chemical reactions of living cells vol.1,2 , 2nd ed. Harcourt/Academic Press, 2001, 2003.
• J. Kadziauskas. Biochemijos pagrindai, VU leidykla, 2008, 2012.

Assessment strategy

Assessment criteria

Public presentation

Duration of the presentation duration – one academic hour (45 min), 15 min is dedicated for questions. Presentation covers 5-10 papers or reviews.

Saulius Serva

Approved by the Council of Doctoral School of Life Sciences Center No (4.10)600000-KT-… on the 14th of October 2021

Chairman dr. Daiva Baltriukienė