Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Medical Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Medical Biochemistry

• Unit Code

  SCH2232

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

In this unit emphasis is given to the energetic metabolic processes of the normal human, and how various disease states are manifestations of abnormalities of biomolecular reactions and processes. Emphasis is also given to gaining an understanding of the principles of major laboratory methods used in diagnostic procedures and biomedical research.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 2 units from SCC1226, SCH1134

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Apply biochemical principles to the understanding of disease processes and how major laboratory methods are used in diagnostic procedures and in biochemical research.
2. Describe and explain the basic methods of DNA & RNA identification and analysis.
3. Describe the metabolic pathways used in the generation and storage of energy.
4. Understand the principles behind certain biochemical assay procedures used in both scientific research and clinical investigations.

Unit Content

1. Basic enzyme kinetics - Michaelis-Menten type enzyme kinetics, coenzymes, enzyme specificity.
2. Biochemical assay techniques and associated calculations - colorimetric reactions and enzymatic reactions.
3. Biological membranes - role of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates in membranes, carrier proteins, protein transport channels, Na/K pump.
4. Biomolecules of blood - proteins of oxygen transport - myoglobin, haemoglobin; plasma proteins and enzymes - albumin, lipoproteins, disorders.
5. Brief review of the major biomolecules - carbohydrates: monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides; lipids - triglycerides, phospolipids, sterols, sphingolipids; amino acids, primary, secondary and tertiary structure of proteins.
6. Carbohydrate metabolism - review of glycolytic and energy producing processes, gluconeogenesis; disorders of carbohydrate anabolism - hyperglycaemia and diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia.
7. Cell signalling pathways - second messengers-cyclic AMP, G-proteins (stimulatory and inhibitory), effects on enzyme action and effects on gene transcription. Neurochemical signalling and neurotransmitters.
8. General biochemical calculations - Basic stoichiometry, molarity, dilutions and scientific notation.
9. Hormones and hormone action - protein and steroid hormones.
10. Integration of amino acid, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism - major pathways and their control site, inherited metabolic abnormalities.
11. Lipid metabolism - beta-oxidative pathway, synthesis of triacylglycerol, essential fatty acids, lipolytic hormones. Analysis of lipase activity on various lipids.
12. Major biochemical parameters in clinical investigation - implications for disease.
13. Nucleotide structure; DNA replication and transcription. Nuclear biosynthetic enzymes and nucleotide analogues as therapeutic agents. Consequences of heritable alterations of nucleotide metabolism.
14. The role of the Citric Acid Cycle in the generation of energy.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures supported by audiovisual material (2 hours per week), and laboratory sessions supported by audiovisual material and computer software (2 hours per week). During laboratory sessions students work in pairs or small groups to forward plan, organize and complete experiments over several weeks. The results of the experiments will be communicated by each group during in-class discussions. Student groups will also prepare a powerpoint presentation seminar based on investigation of current scientific research of a specific disease.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• ^ Lehninger, A.C., Nelson, D. C., & Cox, M.M. (2013). Principles of Biochemistry (6th ed.). New York: W. H Freeman and Co.
• Campbell, M.K., & Farrell, S.O. (2009). Biochemistry (6th ed.). Florida, Harcourt Brace College Publishing.
• Marangoni, A.G. (2003). Enzyme kinetics: A modern Approach. Hoboken, H.J. Wiley Interscience.
• Lewin, B. (2000). Translation: expressing genes as proteins. In Lewin, B. Genes VII. Protein Synthesis. Oxford, Oxford University.
• Horton, R.H., Moran, L.A., Ochs, R.S., Rawn, J.D., & Scrimgeour, K.G. (2002). Principles of Biochemistry (3rd ed.). New Jersey, Prentice Hall.

Journal References

• Dworakowska, B., & Dolowy, K. (2000). Ion Channels - related diseases. Acta Biochimica Polonica 47, (3), 685-703.
• Betarbet, R., Sherer, T.B., & Greenamyre, J.T. (2002). Animal models of Parkinson's disease. Bioessays 24, 308-318.
• Gotz, J., Streffer, J.R., David, D., Schild, A., & Hoerndli, F. (2004) Transgenic animal models of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders: histopathology, behaviour and therapy. Molecular Psychiatry 9, 664-683.
• Onuchic, J.N., & Wolynes, P.G. (2004). Theory of protein folding. Current Opinion in Structural Biology 14, 70-75.
• Gerich, J.E. (2002). Novel Insulins: expanding options in diabetes management. The American Journal of Medicine 113, 308-316.
• Watson, J.D., & Crick, F.H.C. (1953). Molecular Structure of nucleic acids: A structure for deozyribose nucleic acid. Nature 171, 737-738.
• Stride, A., & Hattersley, A.T. (2002). Different genes different diabetes: Life's lessons from maturity-onset of the young. Annals of Internal Medicine 34, 207-216.
• Botham, K.M., & Wheeler-Jones, C.P.D. (2007). Introduction to the Biochemical Society focused meeting on diet and Cardiovascular health: Chylomicron remnants and their emerging roles in vascular dysfunction in Artherosclerosis. Biochemical Society Transactions 35, Part 3.
• Yu, K.C.-W., & Mamo, J.C.L. (2000). Chylomicron-remnant-induced foam cell formation and cytotoxicity: a possible mechanism for cell death in artherosclerosis. Clinical Science 98, 183-192.
• Neves, S.R., Ram, P.T., & Lyengar, R. (2002) G-protein Pathways. Science, 296, 1626-1639.
• Science
• Nature
• Steinberg, D. (2004) An interpretive history of the cholesterol controversy: Part 1. Thematic review series: The Pathogenesis of Artherosclerosis. Journal of Lipid Research 45, 1583-1593.

^ Mandatory reference

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