Curricular Unit:			Code:
Proteomics			1056PROT
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
1	Master	Specialized Laboratory Analyses (Biomedical Analysis)	6 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
		Portuguese/English	78
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
Proteomics refers to the large-scale analysis of proteins in biological samples and integrates diverse technologies for the identification of diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers. This curricular unit aims to transmit to students the basic knowledge on methodologies and technologies, their fundamentals, challenges and complexity, and the current vision about proteomics application in clinical diagnosis and research, namely in the identification and validation of biomarkers. The objective is to develop in the student an overview of the main proteomic applications currently used and the laboratory requirements for their implementation. The student will develop the ability to describe and discuss the methodologies from the point of view of complexity, constraints and potentialities, to suggest approaches in specific applications and to discuss the evolution of this area.
Syllabus:
Proteomic introduction; Historical perspective; Sample preparation for proteomic analysis: Gel-based proteomics: two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), two-dimensional fluorescence difference in-gel electrophoresis (DIGE) and native PAGE; Liquid chromatography; Mass spectrometry; Quantitative proteomics; Interactomics (techniques to study protein-protein interactions); Functional proteomics; Structural proteomics; Protein purification; Bioinformatic; Analysis of practical applications: Challenges and futures prospects.
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
The program contents explore the main proteomic methodologies and technologies in a broad and integrated way in terms of its fundamentals, conditioning factors, potentialities and applicability in clinical practice and research, aiming to develop in the student the technical-scientific knowledge and the sensitivity to its application in future practical situations. Thus, at the end students should be able to: (i) designate methods for the study of the proteome, including its advantages and disadvantages, namely in terms of manual work intensity, cost, sensitivity and large scale analysis; (ii) identify proteomics applications in biomedicine and (iii) select methods and describe the basic experimental strategy for solving specific biomedical problems.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
Exposition and discussion of the relevant theoretical-practical concepts, orientation to the autonomous study through consultation of the recommended bibliography and analysis of relevant practical situations. Teaching material and scientific articles or other free use materials will be available through e-learning. The evaluation includes two written exams (60% in the final grade) and two oral tests based on the preparation and presentation of papers on specific topics of the program content (40% of final grade). The final approval implies approval in the written tests and in the oral tests.
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
The exposition and debate of the relevant theoretical concepts in the classroom combined with the orientation of the autonomous study by consulting the recommended bibliography and comparative analysis of the different proteomic approaches, classic vs. emerging, students will be able to propose problem-solving strategies in a variety of contexts (pharmacology, pathology, toxicology and cell biology) and acquire fluency in the transmission of ideas and concepts in this area. Written exams consist of questions focussed on topics within the scope of proteomics. Students should demonstrate that they have acquired the knowledge in accordance with the course objectives. Oral exams represent group activities based on understanding and presenting a summary, and oral presentations to the class of specific topics under review, with particular emphasis on the disadvantages / limitations vs. advantages / potentialities. These works consolidate the task of integrating information and help prepare the student for the accomplishment of the written exams. scientific articles or articles of free use will be available through e-learning. In addition to the contact hours of the academic periods of the course, the learning process can be complemented during the office hours of the teacher, or using the digital institutional communication tools (e-mail and e-learning). The simultaneous use of these institutional computing resources for the dissemination of either didactic material or scientific literature also represents an important contribution to the promotion and stimulation of the student self-learning process.
Reading:
Principles of Proteomics by R.M Twyman, 2013, Garland Science, ISBN: 9780815344728 (second edition) Articles distributed at the lectures