BIOC9238-1

Duration

35h Th, 10h Pr

Number of credits

	Bachelor in dentistry	6 crédits
	Bachelor in medicine	6 crédits

Lecturer

Bernard Rogister

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Teacher : B. ROGISTER, Professor
The aim of biochemistry is the complete understanding at the molecular level of all the chemical processes associated with living cells. This is mainly achieved by isolating molecules and understanding their structure and their function. The field of biochemistry is as vast as life itself, as chemical reactions take place wherever life exists. Biochemists study the chemical reactions and changes which take place in micro-organisms, plants, fish, insects, lesser and superior mammals like human beings. Biochemical knowledge of other forms of life is directly relevant to a global understanding of the biochemistry of human beings. For example, current theories on the regulation of gene and enzyme activity come from earlier studies of bread yeast and bacteria. Like general physiology, general biochemistry demonstrates the integrated unity of living beings. This course is devoted to the understanding of the organism's molecular structure, of the notion of metabolic sequences, of the rules governing the integration of these sequences, of the general basics of cell energy, of the source of inter-cellular free energy, and finally, of the biochemical tissue specialization. Examples illustrating taught concepts will be specifically chosen to introduce the student to human biochemistry.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

General objectives :
To describe the general properties of molecules composing the living species.
To give a clear and structured information about the chemical reactions within the cell.
To analyse the relationships between these different molecules.
To explain how the cell structure is maintained and expanded or how the cell can achieve a particular function.
To allow the students to understand the biochemical basis of general physiology and human physiology and biochemistry.
To exert the critical thinking of students by pro or contra demonstrations on different subjects or debate some not yet verified hypothesis. Specific objectives : 1. To describe the general properties of the molecules of living beings : carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, heterocycles (co-enzymes, vitamins, nucleosides, ...) 2. To give the basics of classical enzymology (kinetics, enzyme classification, reaction mechanisms, ...). 3. To remember the basics ofthermodynamic laws and to apply them to specificities encountered in the living world: high energy molecules, the coupling reactions, ... . 4. To explain the general organization of the main metabolic pathways in cells by integrating them each others and to outline the basics of the controls of metabolic pathways. 5. To describe in details the cellular catabolic reactions leading to the synthesis of high-energy molecules. 6. To describe in details anabolic pathways leading to the synthesis of nucleotides, nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. 7. To apply and to integrate those concepts in the mechanisms of muscle contraction

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

First year courses in physics, chemistry (more precisely, organic chemistry) and biology. To prepare students to the study of human biochemistry, human physiology and to the pathology.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Lectures will be ex cathedra. It is nevertheless possible that depending on the evolution of the health situation, some courses will be given remotely by the UNI-CAST / POD-CAST system.
Laboratory work sessions will be organized and two students will work together in a one single day session as long as they could be organized dur to health situation. This session will be preceded by a specific two-hours lecture. This laboratory work is devoted to manipulation of proteins : chromatography, protein assay, enzyme activity assays and gel electrophoresis. Supervision of sessions will performed by one or two supervisors (assistants), two to three older students and one technician. Each group of students will give back a report for the group within eighth days following the session. At the end of the semester, a global correction of the report will be organized aas a special lecture and will be focused on the observed errors repeatedly present in submitted reports. There will be no exam of practical work but part of the final exam (January or September) will focus on the topic of practical works for all students (see hereunder). The note of the evaluation will not distinguish the theoretical part of the practical part. Attendance at tutorials of practical work is compulsory for students enrolled for the first time in General Biochemistry. In case of unauthorized absence, the penalty will be 1 point on the final outcome of the exam. The document justifying the absence of the student must be sent to the educational office within 5 working days after the date of the session.
For the students to represent the exam of General Biochemistry, they can again follow the session of practical work, this on a voluntary basis and after registration at the beginning of the academic year. Once enrolled, they then commit to be present at the practical work session and will be subject to the same organizational rules as the students following for the first time the course of General Biochemistry.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

1: Introduction to chemical reactions in a living cell.
1. Chemistry, Energy and Metabolism
2. Enzymes
2: Structure of proteins and cell membranes.
3. Protein structure
4. Cell Membranes
3: Metabolism
5. Biochemical mechanisms of nutrient transport and storage
6. Energy release from nutrient oxidation
7. Glycolysis, Krebs'cycle, electron transport in mitochondria.
8. Energy release from lipids
9. Fatty acids and lipids synthesis
10. Neoglucogenesis
11. Pentoses cycle
12. Amino acids metabolism
13. Nucleotides metabolism and synthesis.
4. Information storage and use.
14. DNA and genome organization
15. DNA synthesis, reparation and recombination.
16. Transcription
17. Protein synthesis and targeted destruction.
5. Cellular mechanical work.
18. Muscular contraction
19. Cytoskeletton, molecular motors and intracellular transport.

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Depending on the evolution of the health situation, the May-June evaluations are scheduled as follows:
A priori, the examination will take place face-to-face in the form of a MCQ (24 questions each with 5 true / false items). The exam is scheduled for a maximum of two hours.
The distance between the students will be greater than that required for an exam taking place under normal conditions. In addition, the number of students will be limited to 200 per audience, even if the latter could accommodate a larger population.
In the event of a formal ban by the authorities from carrying out the exams according to this modality, the exam will then be carried out remotely on the e-campus platform, always using a MCQ type modality as described above.

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Written exam (multiple choice questions) will cover the theoretical aspects as well some aspects developed during laboratory work sessions. The correction is +1 for each correct reponse, 0 for the absence of response et -1 for an uncorrected response. Part of the exam will be directly related to the practical work session. Depending on the health situation, the examination could take place on e-campus in accordance with procedures which will then be specified in due course.
Written exams are organized in June and September.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Adress : Bernard Rogister, Full Professor
GIGA-Neurosciences Department of biomedical sciences and preclinics C.H.U. Bât. B36 avenue Hippocrate, 15 4000 Liège 1 Belgique
Phone : 32 4 3665950 E-mail : Bernard.Rogister@uliege.be
Sabine Wislet Assistant Professor Tel ULg 32 4 366 39 88 E-mail : S.Wislet@uliege.be
Laurence Delacroix Assistant Professor Tél. Ulg 32 4 366 25 02 Couriel : ldelacroix@uliege.be
Christelle Péqueux Assistant Professor Tél. Ulg 32 4 366 22 17 Couriel : C.Pequeux@uliege.be
Larisia Bourdoux Secretary Tel ULg : 324 366 59 50 E-mail : Larisia.Bourdoux@uliege.be

General biochemistry, including the basis of molecular biology