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2025-2026 / BIOC0734-1

Metabolism

Duration

40h Th, 10h Pr, 30h AUTR

Number of credits

 Master in bio-informatics and modelling, research focus5 crédits 
 Master in biochemistry and molecular and cell biology, research focus5 crédits 
 Master in biochemistry and molecular and cell biology, teaching focus (Réinscription uniquement, pas de nouvelle inscription)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Pierre Cardol, Stéphanie Herkenne, Sylvie Legrand, Patrick Meyer, N..., Claire Remacle

Coordinator

Pierre Cardol

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

This module will look at cellular energy metabolism from different angles (bioenergetics, metabolic pathways, organelle dynamics, metabolomics, visualisation of macromolecules, construction of a metabolic network).

This module also aims to take a cross-disciplinary approach to a biological issue through group synthesis work.


Table of contents of theoretical courses


Metabolic pathways (P. Cardol, S. Herkenne)

  • Metabolic pathways: catabolism and anabolism
  • Notion of metabolic control
Immunometabolism (S. Legrand)

  • Theoretical and practical concepts
Bioenergetics (P. Cardol)

  • Chemosmotic theory
  • The mitochondrial electron transport chain
  • ATP synthetase, structure and function
  • Photosynthesis, from photon absorption to charge separation
  • Respiratory and photosynthetic control
Mitochondrial and chloroplastic metabolism (C. Remacle)

  • Assembly of respiratory complexes
  • Assembly of Fe-S centres and maturation of Fe-S proteins
  • Redox signalling pathways
Mitochondrial dynamics (S. Herkenne)


Metabolic networks (P. Meyer)

  • Matrix modelling and simulation of metabolic networks
  • Introduction to 2d order autonomous dynamical systems
Table of contents for practical sessions, practical work, etc.

Photosynthesis (P. Cardol)

  • Extraction of chlorophyll pigments and analysis of pigment composition by HPLC. Analysis of pigment absorption spectra
  • Analysis of photosynthetic electron transport by measuring variable chlorophyll fluorescence. Imaging of photosynthetic activity.
  • Analysis of photoprotection mechanisms by measuring changes in maximum fluorescence.
Mitochondrial dynamics (S. Herkenne)

Metabolic networks (P. Meyer) 

  • Matrix modelling of metabolic networks
  • Describing solutions of 2d order autonomous dynamical systems
Collaborative work on bibliographic synthesis (P. Cardol, S. Legrand, S. Herkenne, C. Remacle)

  • Choice of theme, collection of articles
  • Individual presentation of articles (10 min)
  • Summing up
  • Presentation of a summary in class by group (15 min + 15 min discussion)
 


 

 

 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

  • Understand (after observation and study of the relevant literature) a biological question and formulate relevant biological interpretations of the results obtained.
  • Understand how techniques such as time-resolved fluorometry, oximetry, etc. contribute to an understanding of metabolism.
 

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

  • Notions of chemistry, physics and general biochemistry.
  • Notions of programming with R.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

  • Theoretical lessons
  • Practical work, tutorials, laboratory visits
  • The module will end with a presentation of the group's summary work.

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

Face-to-face course


Further information:

The course will be organized as follows:

In general, theoretical lectures will be given in person in the morning. Unless otherwise specified, they will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Afternoons, mainly devoted to practicals/tutorials, will be held in person from 1:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Practicals and tutorials are compulsory, as they are essential for the preparation of the report on which part of this module will be assessed. In case of absence, even if justified, students are required to catch up.


 

 

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Slideshows and articles related to the module's theme and the mini-symposium presentations will be made available to students on the eCampus platform.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )


Further information:

Written exam during the June session (open questions and/or multiple-choice questions, including on the practical sessions) (60% of the grade). There will be no partial exemption for the theoretical part.
Self-assessment of the synthesis work and presentation of a theme (40% of the grade) at the end of the second week.
 

 

 

Work placement(s)

Not applicable.

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Students are required to bring a computer (or tablet) with them for the practical work and the summary assignment.

Contacts

Module coordination :  

Pierre Cardol 

Tel : 04/366 38 40 
e-mail : Pierre.cardol@uliege.be 

The teachers are available to answer your questions: either during the lessons/practical work sessions given as part of this module, or by e-mail (during office hours). 



List of teachers : 

Pierre Cardol (pierre.cardol@uliege.be) 
Stéphanie Herkenne (sherkenne@uliege.be)
Sylvie Legrand (S.Legrand@uliege.be) 
Patrick Meyer (Patrick.Meyer@uliege.be)
Claire Remacle (c.remacle@uliege.be)

 

Association of one or more MOOCs

There is no MOOC associated with this course.