BIOINORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Academic Year 2024/2025 - Teacher: Graziella VECCHIOExpected Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding:
Knowledge of the basic aspects of the elements of the periodic table in biological systems. Knowledge of the role of biometals and applications of this knowledge in the biomedical field.
Applied knowledge and understanding:
Ability to apply the knowledge acquired on inorganic systems to conceive and support arguments on the topics covered in the course and to the applicative aspects related to them, with particular reference to biological systems.
Autonomy of judgment:
Ability to rationalize the behavior of bioinorganic systems on the basis of acquired knowledge.
Communication skills:
Acquire language properties in describing aspects of bioinorganics and chemistry in general.
Ability to learn:
Develop the skills necessary for in-depth analysis and updates of the knowledge acquired in the field of inorganic chemistry of biological systems, closely related to some topics of interest such as the environment and health.
Course Structure
Lessons and powerpoint presentations
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Introduction
Review of inorganic chemistry for the studying of the metal ions in the biological systems
Homeostasis of the main metal ions in the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Metal Transport and storage.
Structure and function of the main metalloproteins.
Pathologies related to the metal dyshomeostasis.
Ionophores and chelators as therapeutic agents.
Platinum Complexes.
Textbook Information
Course materials will be available during the lessons.
R.R. Crichton Biological inorganic chemistry
W. Kaim, B. Schwederski, A. Klein Bioinorganic Chemistry -- Inorganic Elements in the Chemistry of Life: An Introduction and Guide, 2nd Edition Wiley 2013
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Summary of inorganic chemistry | R.R. Crichton Biological inorganic chemistry |
| 2 | Iron homeostasis and in bacteria and eukarya | R.R. Crichton Biological inorganic chemistry |
| 3 | Structure of iron proteins. Fe-S cluster, heme and non heme systems. | W. Kaim, B. Schwederski, A. Klein Bioinorganic Chemistry -- Inorganic Elements in the Chemistry of Life: An Introduction and Guide, 2nd Edition Wiley |
| 4 | Zinc homeostasis | R.R. Crichton Biological inorganic chemistry |
| 5 | Diseases related to metal dishomeostasis | R.R. Crichton Biological inorganic chemistry Elsevier 2018 |
| 6 | Ionophore and metal chelators as therapeutics | R.R. Crichton Biological inorganic chemistry Elsevier 2018 |
| 7 | Toxic metals | R.R. Crichton Biological inorganic chemistry Elsevier 2018 |
| 8 | Coordination compounds as therapeutics | W. Kaim, B. Schwederski, A. Klein Bioinorganic Chemistry -- Inorganic Elements in the Chemistry of Life: An Introduction and Guide, 2nd Edition Wiley |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
In the classroom the topics will be discussed to verify any difficulties in fully understanding the topics.
In the case of distance learning, the discussion to evaluate the understanding of the topic will take place via streaming requesting the active participation of the students. In addition, the development of a selected topic will be proposed.
The final exam consists of an oral test, the evaluation of which will take into account the knowledge of the topics asked, the language properties and the critical ability in formulating the answers.