Advanced Methods in Biochemistry

Code: QUI13574M

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Biochemistry

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Sustainable Development Goals

Saúde e bem-estar - Assegurar uma vida saudável e promover o bem-estar para todos, em todas as idades.

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Inovação infraestrutura - Construir infraestrutura resiliente, promover a industrialização inclusiva e sustentável, e fomentar a inovação.

Learning Goals

Know the fundamentals of immunochemical methods and their main applications; Know the fundamentals of laboratory techniques for biomolecule purification; Know the instruments used in equipment that allow analytical determinations and the purification of biomolecules; Select analytical and biomolecule purification techniques according to well-defined criteria. Know the fundamentals of modern chromatographic techniques and their importance and application in the area of biochemistry. Know and understand the concepts and foundations on which is based the study of biochemical systems by electrochemical methods; Know and apply, judiciously, the electrochemical resources which allow the correct analysis of species with biochemical interest and the development / electrochemical characterization of biochemical systems.

Immunochemical methods - concepts and applications: Antibodies and antigens; Antibody production; Detection and quantification of biomolecules by antibody-based techniques; Diagnostic applications; therapeutic applications of monoclonal antibodies.
Chromatographic Methods - Basic concepts and applications of chromatographic methods in the area of Biochemistry (Review); Hyphenated chromatographic analytical techniques; Use of chromatographic methods for the detection of compounds with biochemical interest.
Electrochemical methods - relevance in the context of contemporary biochemistry; Fundamental concepts, material, instrumentation and essential equipment; Techniques of species analysis with biochemical interest and development / electrochemical characterization of biochemical systems; Applications: electrochemical biosensors, biofuel cells, electrosynthesis and electroremediation, and electrical monitoring techniques of cell culture media.

Teaching Methods

The teaching / learning process will be based on the student's work, and on the guidance of teacher. That work will include tasks of consultation and research. To promote the participation of students, as well the understanding of those topics, will be used didactic resources and dialectical teaching methods. Theoretical contents will be presented and discussed from a perspective that highlights and demonstrates its practical applications, being consolidated through laboratory practical classes (PL). In PL classes students will have contact with research work and advanced modern equipment. Evaluation system: Continuous assessment system, CA (= ratings of three Frequencies, Fn, and of two Works (viz, an oral presentation, OP, and the execution of a Poster, P), or a Final assessment system, FA (= ratings of a final exam and above-mentioned works). Weighting: CA - F1 (23.8%) + F2 (19.8%) + F3 (33%) + AO (10.2%) + P (13.2%); FA - EF (76.6%) + AO (10.2%) + P (13.2%).