1999 Pharmacy Handbook - Biochemistry

Biochemistry

Introduction
General objectives
Syllabus
- Practical
Assessment

Introduction

Dr Helen Irving
30 lectures, 7 tutorials and 15 hours of practical work
The principal aim of the biochemistry course is to provide students with an understanding of biochemistry and of biochemical concepts as a basis for later work in other subjects within the pharmaceutical sciences.

General objectives

In this teaching program students are expected to develop:

understanding of the basic biochemisttry of body constituents including structure, function and classification of the major biomolecules; the principle metabolic pathways and the basis of their regulation and connections; the nature of information transfer and molecular biology methods;
abilities in the areas of observation and measurement of biochemical compounds and processes; assessment and integration of biochemical information as it relates to desired and unwanted effects produced by therapeutic drugs
an appreciation of integrated biochemical and physiological functions, pathophysiological and biochemicsal or genetic perturbations as they affect bodily functions; the underlying foundation of biochemistry in the treatment of individual diseases.

Syllabus

Biomolecules - structure and molecular properties. Amino acid classification, peptide bond formation, peptides as active biomolecules. Protein structure and enzymes. Enzymes as sites of drug action and regulation. Simple and complex carbohydates and the role of complex carbohydrates and proteins in the extracellular matrix. Fatty acids, tricylglycerols, waxes and membrane lipids. Lipids with specific biological functions including the fat soluble vitamins, and roles of lipids and proteins in membranes and lipoproteins. Nucleotide structure as it contributes to chemical energy and formation of enzyme co-factors and nucleic acids. RNA and DNA structure, DNA organisation and chromosome structure.
Metabolism. The principles of metabolic pathways and how perturbatin can lead to disease states. The central role of glycolysis (anaerobic and aerobic) and citric acid cycle leading to oxidative phosphorylation and energy production. The integration and regulation of carbohydrate (glucose and glycogen metabolism) and fat ( oxidation, fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis) metabolism. Metabolism of amino acids, protein economy and nucleotide and haem metabolism. Hormonal regulation of metabolism and effects of various metabolic states including disease on the direction of metabolism. The principals of the therapeutic use of drugs that act to inhibit specific metabollic pathways.
Information transfer and molecular biology. Genome organisation and gene structure. DNA replication. DNA repair and recombination. RNA synthesis and processing. Protein synthesis, targeting and turnover. Mechanisms of gene regulation. Principles and techniques involved in rcombinant DNA technology and their roles in diagnostics, medicine and pharmacy.

Practical

Practical classes are designed to provide experience through experiments and discussion groups to illustrate and extend principles discussed in the lecture course.

Recommended texts

Hames B D and others Instant notes in biochemistry Bios Scientific Publications, 1997
Victorian College of Pharmacy Biochemistry laboratory manual VCP, 1999

Reference books

Alberts B and others Molecular biology of the cell 3rd edn, Garland, 1994
Campbell P N and Smith A D Biochemistry illustrated 3rd edn, Churchill Livingstone, 1994
Elliot W H and Elliot D C Biochemistry and molecular biology OUP, 1997
Greenstein N amd Greenstein A Medical biochemistry at a glance Blackwell Science, 1996
Horton H R Principles of biochemistry 2nd edn, Patterson, 1996
Lehninger A L Principles of biochemistry 2nd edn, Worth, 1993
Matthews H R and others Biochemistry - a short course Wiley-Liss, 1997
Murray R K and others Harper's biochemistry 24th edn, Appleton and Lange, 1996
Stryer L Biochemistry 4th edn, Freeman, 1995

Assessment

Subject assessment will reflect the learning objectives outlined above. Methods of assessment will include:

On-going assessments: 20%
Mid-year examination (June) (2 hours): 70%
Practical work: 10%