Course: Free radicals in biology and biomedicine

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Course title Free radicals in biology and biomedicine
Course code KBF/FRB
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Pospíšil Pavel, prof. RNDr. Ph.D.
  • Prasad Ankush, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Rác Marek, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. ROS characterization. ROS definition, characterization of molecular oxygen, characterization of ROS, classification according to electron configuration and formation. ROS formation, excited form of molecular oxygen, type II reaction, decomposition of peroxides (dioxetane and tetroxide), reduced form of molecular oxygen, reduction of molecular oxygen (one-electron and two-electron reduction), oxidation of water (one-electron and two-electron oxidation). ROS scavenging, scavenging of excited form of molecular oxygen (physical and chemical), scavenging of reduced form of molecular oxygen (non-enzymatic and enzymatic scavenging). ROS reaction, characterization of biomacromolecule oxidation, radical-induced oxidation of biomacromolecule, radical-induced oxidation of amino acid and lipids, radical-induced oxidation of bases, non-radical-induced oxidation of biomacromolecule, non-radical-induced oxidation of amino acid and lipids, non-radical-induced oxidation of bases. 2. ROS formation. ROS formation by energy transfer, type II reaction (skin photosensitizers and chlorophylls), decomposition of peroxides (dioxetane and tetroxide), ROS formation by electron transport, superoxide anion radical in mitochondria, chloroplasts, plasma membranes, microbodies and endoplasmic reticulum, hydrogen peroxide in mitochondria, chloroplasts, plasma membranes, hydroxyl radical (free and bound metals). 3. Antioxidant defense system. Non-enzymatic antioxidant, bilirubin, lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, uric acid, melanin, glutathione, ascorbate, alfa-tocopherol, carotenoids. Enzymatic antioxidant, Superoxide dismutase, types of SOD, peroxidases, types of peroxidases. 4. Oxidative damage of biomolecules. Radical-induced oxidative damage to biomolecules, oxidation of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids by hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion radical, non-radical-induced oxidative damage of biomolecules, oxidation of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids by singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. 5. Oxidative damage to biomolecules and cells. Oxidative damage to biomolecules, oxidative damage to nuclei acid, lipid peroxidation, oxidative damage to proteins, cellular responds to oxidative stress (proliferation, adaptation, cell damage, cell death). 6. Molecular mechanisms of free radical production in disease. Arteriosclerosis, diabetes, ischaemia, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, cancer (cell cycle and free radicals, carcinogens, oxidative stress and chemotherapy). 7. Spectroscopic ROS detection. EPR spin-trapping spectroscopy (superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen). Detection of ROS by absorption and emission methods (superoxide anion radical, singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide).

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training)
  • Preparation for the Exam - 20 hours per semester
  • Attendace - 24 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
Introduction to the formation, scavenging and reaction of free radicals in biology and biomedcine.
Understanding of formation, scavenging and reaction of free radicals in biology and biomedcine.
Prerequisites
unspecified

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam

Colloquium
Recommended literature
  • Halliwell, B., Gutteridge, J.M.C. (1990). Free radicals and metal ions in human disease. Methods in Enzymology, 186, p.1-85.
  • Halliwell, B., Gutteridge, J.M.C. (2007). Free radicals in biology and medicine. Oxford University Press.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Biophysics - Specialization in Molecular Biophysics (2024) Category: Physics courses 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Summer