Biochemistry

This course examines how cells work at the molecular level, with an emphasis on human biochemistry and molecular biology. It focuses initially on how genetic information is regulated in eukaryotes, including replication, transcription and translation, and molecular aspects of the cell cycle, mitosis and meiosis. Then it explores cellular metabolism and how cells extract and store energy from fuels like fats and carbohydrates, how the use of fuels is modulated in response to exercise, starvation and disease, and how other key metabolites are processed.

This course is suitable for students majoring in or specializing in biochemistry. It is recommended to have studied organic chemistry first. The course content covers units such as amino acids, proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids, and further details their biochemical principles, mechanisms of action, metabolic pathways and regulatory mechanisms. Because "Molecular Biology" is a compulsory course for the Department of Biochemical Technology, in order to avoid repetition, this course does not teach molecular biology. Sole material to be used in the course: Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 8th Edition.

This course covers the molecules that constitute living organisms and their control mechanisms, as well as biotechnologies and the principles of aging and disease. Students are expected to acquire the abilities to understand and explore biological systems at the molecular and cellular level.

Course topics include:

• Cells: The Fundamental Units of Life and Chemical Components of Cells
• Protein structure and function
• DNA and Chromosomes
• DNA Replications and Repair
• From DNA to Protein: How Cells Read the Genome
• Analyzing the Structure and Function of Genes 
• How Cells Obtain Energy from Food and Energy Generation in Mitochondria and Chloroplasts
• Cell Signaling
• Cytoskeleton
• The Cell-Division Cycle
• Cell Communities: Tissues, Stem Cells, and Cancer

This course allows undergraduate students to understand the basic academic theories in the field of biochemistry. The course covers the synthesis and metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and proteins, enzymology, DNA synthesis and replication, RNA regulation, message transmission, Hormones, carcinogenic mechanisms, nutrition, etc.

The course explores the biochemical and physical bases of the utilization of nutrients and metabolism in a human context and covers the molecular, cellular, and whole-body levels. Topics include: nutritional sciences; digestive system; mineral nutrients and dietary reference intakes; macro and micro minerals; water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins; body composition; energy expenditure and balance; digestion, absorption, and metabolism of dietary carbohydrates, fiber, lipids, and protein; phytochemicals; functional food components; integration, regulation and control of metabolism.