Medical Biochemistry

Unit 3003: Medical Biochemistry

1. Introduction to Medical Biochemistry

• Overview of biochemistry in medicine
• Structure and function of biological molecules
• Cellular metabolism basics
• Role of biochemistry in disease diagnosis and treatment

2. Biomolecules in Medicine

• Carbohydrates: structure, function, and clinical significance
• Lipids: types, roles in cell membranes and signaling
• Proteins: structure, enzyme function, and transport
• Nucleic acids: DNA/RNA structure and medical relevance

3. Enzymes and Metabolic Pathways

• Enzyme kinetics and mechanisms
• Regulation of enzyme activity
• Key metabolic pathways: glycolysis, Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation
• Clinical relevance of metabolic pathways

4. Biochemical Basis of Genetic Diseases

• Overview of genetic disorders linked to biochemical abnormalities
• Inborn errors of metabolism: types and examples
• Molecular mechanisms underlying genetic metabolic diseases

5. Molecular Basis of Drug Action

• Drug interactions with cellular targets
• Drug metabolism: phases and enzymes involved
• Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
• Implications for therapeutic interventions

6. Biochemical Markers in Disease Diagnosis

• Definition and types of biochemical markers
• Cardiac markers: troponins, CK-MB
• Tumor markers: PSA, CA-125, others
• Markers of organ dysfunction: liver, kidney

7. Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism

• Nutrient digestion, absorption, and utilization
• Macronutrient metabolism: carbohydrates, proteins, fats
• Micronutrients: vitamins and minerals roles
• Effects of nutritional imbalances on health

8. Biochemical Principles of Immunology

• Structure and function of antibodies
• Cytokines and signaling molecules
• Biochemical basis of immune responses
• Immunodeficiencies: biochemical perspectives

9. Biochemical Basis of Cancer

• Molecular alterations in cancer development
• Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes
• Signaling pathways in cancer progression
• Potential biochemical therapeutic targets

10. Bioinformatics in Medical Biochemistry

• Introduction to bioinformatics tools and databases
• Analysis of biological sequence data
• Protein structure prediction
• Application in understanding molecular basis of diseases