BMB536: Metabolic Regulation

The Study Board for Science

Teaching language: Danish
EKA: N200027102
Assessment: Second examiner: Internal
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Spring
Level: Bachelor

STADS ID (UVA): N200027101
ECTS value: 7.5

Date of Approval: 02-10-2019


Duration: 1 semester

Version: Archive

Comment

01013501(former UVA) is identical with this course description. 

Entry requirements

None

Academic preconditions

Students taking the course are expected to:

  • Have knowledge of fundamental biochemistry and basic organic chemistry.
  • Be able to apply basic biochemistry and organic chemistry to discuss how biochemical processes are integrated and regulated.

Course introduction

The aim of the course is to enable the student to understand metabolic pathways in mammalian cells and their regulation at a molecular level. Participants will gain insights into signal transduction pathways incl. hormones, growth factors, receptors, kinases, calcium and transcription factors. This is important in regard to the understanding of biochemical processes, which are key elements in understanding human physiology under normal and pathological conditions.

The course builds on knowledge acquired in courses in Fundamental Biochemistry like BMB530 or BMB532 which is assumed known, and provide a scientific basis to further study topics in physiology, pathophysiology and experimental work under the BSC and thesis projects that are part of the degree.

In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:

  • Give competences in discussing and analyzing regulation of metabolism and biochemical processes at the molecular level.
  • Give skills to discuss regulation of metabolism in mammals and physiological mechanisms.
  • Give knowledge and understanding of how;
    • 1) biochemical processes are regulated at the molecular level
    • 2) how these are interconnected,
    • 3) how metabolic processes are integrated with each other between the various bodies.

Expected learning outcome

The learning objective of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:

  • describe metabolites, enzymes, co-enzymes in glycogen and fatty acid metabolism and its regulation.
  • explain
    the formation and function of lipoproteins like chylomicrons, VLDL, HDL
    and LDL, and describe their respective roles in triglyceride /
    cholesterol homeostasis.
  • explain how the vesicular transport takes place in eukaryotic cells.
  • describe how high levels of cholesterol can lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases.
  • explain
    the synthesis of phospholipids and triglycerides and how the synthesis
    of phospholipids is closely associated with amino acid metabolism.
  • explain how glucogenic and ketogenic amino acids are converted and how the amino groups may be disposed in the urea cycle.
  • explain how amino acids are synthesized from intermediates in glycolysis and TCA cycle.
  • describe how synthesis of branched chain amino acids and glutamine synthesis is regulated.
  • on the basis of own experiments explain the glucose-fatty acid cycle.
  • explain
    the effect of the hormones insulin, glucagon, norepinephrine and
    epinephrine on the metabolic pathways in the brain, muscles, liver and
    adipose tissue.
  • describe the mechanisms underlying the hormonal effect on blood levels of glucose, fatty acids and ketone bodies.
  • explain
    the metabolic adaptations that occur as a result of food intake,
    fasting and diabetes (type 1 and 2) as well as muscle work.
  • describe
    the structure and function of 7TM receptors, G proteins and signaling
    pathways that lead to the formation of secondary "messengers" such as
    Ca2+, IP3 and cAMP, and explain how the activity of these signaling
    pathways and the level of these messengers can be regulated.
  • describe
    the structure and function of tyrosine kinase receptors, including
    insulin receptor, and explain how the PI3 kinase signaling and MAPK
    signaling can be activated by insulin.

Content

The following main topics are contained in the course:
  • Regulation of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis/TCA
  • Lipid absorption, transport and lipoproteins
  • Membrane trafficking
  • Fatty acid degradation
  • Fatty acid synthesis
  • Complex lipid synthesis
  • Amino acid metabolism
  • Signal transduction
  • Regulation of metabolism incl. glucose-fatty acid cycle
  • Integration of metabolism
  • Ca2+ signalling
  • Metabolic diseases

Literature

  • David L. Nelson and Michael M. Cox: Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 6. Udgave.
  • K. Frayn: Metabolic Regulation, a human perspective, 3. Udgave.
  • Øvelsesvejledning. 

See Blackboard for syllabus lists and additional literature references.

Examination regulations

Exam element a)

Timing

Spring

Tests

Port folio exam

EKA

N200027102

Assessment

Second examiner: Internal

Grading

7-point grading scale

Identification

Full name and SDU username

Language

Normally, the same as teaching language

Examination aids

To be announced during the course

ECTS value

7.5

Additional information

The course is evaluated by a portfolio exam consisting of 4 electronic exams with aids (BlackBoard), which will be held during the course and a written exam in June at SDU. The 4 electronic exams are opened at a specified time and are kept open for approximately 3 days. The exam at SDU in June is without aids covering the various topics of the course. Each of the first four exam can only be taken once. 

Grades are given based on final number of accumulated points. Distribution of exams and points could be as follows: Mid March: 10%, Primo April: 10%, end of April: 10%, mid May: 10%, mid June: 60%. Internal marking by teacher. When all exams have been completed a final grade is given, based on the combined number of points obtained. Grades given according til the 7-mark scale. (01013502). Participation in the exam in june is obligatory to obtain the grade 02 or higher.


As a starting point the reexamination will physically take place at on campus in Odense and will count 100%. Points obtained during the 4 part-examinations and the final examination in june will expire and will not be valid at the day of re-examination. The mode od reexamination may differ from the ordinary exam.
 

Indicative number of lessons

72 hours per semester

Teaching Method

At the faculty of science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model ie. intro, training and study phase.
Activities during the studyphase
  • Preparation for lectures, tutorials and exercises
  • Studying for part exams

Teacher responsible

Name E-mail Department
Nils J. Færgeman nils.f@bmb.sdu.dk

Additional teachers

Name E-mail Department City
Kim Ravnskjær ravnskjaer@bmb.sdu.dk

Timetable

Administrative Unit

Biokemi og Molekylær Biologi

Team at Educational Law & Registration

NAT

Offered in

Odense

Recommended course of study

Profile Education Semester Offer period