Profile Cellular Biology Biochemistry

This course offers an in-depth study of the structural biochemistry of biomolecules, particularly proteins and nucleic acids.

The basic concepts and nomenclature used for analyzing 3D protein structures are briefly reviewed (Ramachandran diagram, structural motifs and domains, folding, family, superfamily, etc.). These concepts are supplemented by a study of the stability and dynamics of biomolecules.

The structural classification of proteins is detailed according to the four main types of folding. Structure-function relationships are illustrated using examples of proteins. The specific characteristics of membrane protein structures (integral proteins, membrane-bound proteins) are discussed.

The main tools for modeling and predicting secondary and tertiary structures are presented.

The different structures and functions of nucleic acids are studied. Protein-nucleic acid complexes are described from a structural point of view (main recognition motifs, etc.) and the concepts of recognition specificity are detailed.

This teaching is illustrated in tutorials. These tutorials consist of familiarizing students with the main databases used in structural biology, as well as with the PyMol software for analyzing 3D structures.

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This course provides fundamental knowledge in formal and structural enzymology.

- The first part of this course deals with formal kinetics (study of reaction rates, determination of the order of a reaction, equilibrium and kinetics, reversible and balanced reactions). The experimental aspects are presented in parallel (determination of kinetic constants by spectrophotometry, fluorescence, radioactivity, immunoassays, etc.).

- The second part of the course focuses on the study of single-substrate enzyme kinetics.

Definition of an enzyme, catalyst. Enzyme nomenclature (EC)

Michaelis kinetics. Michaelis-Menten equation. Definition of enzyme parameters,_KM, maximum velocity, catalytic constant, turnover. Different graphical representations (Lineweaer-Burk, Eadie-Hofstee). 

The different types of inhibition are also studied (competitive, noncompetitive, mixed) as well as their graphical representation.

Determination of inhibition constancy. Irreversible inhibitors.

Reaction rate. Arrhenius law.

- The third section focuses on describing multi-substrate enzyme kinetics from a formal perspective. With ternary complexes. Random or ordered mechanism.

Without ternary complex. Ping-Pong mechanism, Theorell-Chance. Cleland representation.

Graphical determination.

- The fourth part concerns equilibrium bonds and allostery.

Receptor-ligand/enzyme-substrate binding. Determination of the dissociation (or association) constant. Specific and non-specific binding.

Demonstration and graphical representation of Scatchard. Allosteric receptors (or enzymes). Non-Michaelian enzyme. Concept of cooperativity. Positive and negative cooperativity. Hill number, Hill graph.

Allosteric regulation models are presented. Allostery. Cooperative models: concerted (Monod-Wyman-Changeux) and sequential (Koshland-Nemethy-Filmer). Role of effectors, activators, or inhibitors. Example of hemoglobin and oxygen binding.

- The fifth part of the course links enzyme structures and their function using several examples. Description of the 3D structures and catalytic mechanisms of acetylcholinesterase, proteases, and nucleoside diphosphate kinase. Concept of catalytic triad, binding pocket, etc. 

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This course describes the methodology used by life science researchers to communicate the results of their experiments, both in writing and orally. As English is the common language of international researchers, a large part of this course is taught in English.

Written communication is addressed through the study of the (macro) structure of a research article and an examination of the publication process in scientific journals. Several elements of written structure (micro) are examined in order to understand the differences between scientific English and literary English: clarity, cohesion, and coherence.

These studies are supplemented by a supervised project during the semester, in which students are required to analyze a research article recently published in scientific literature and transcribe it in the form of an oral presentation (conference) in English.

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Molecular biology is not only a fascinating subject in its own right, but it also provides other biological disciplines (cell biology, genetics, physiology, etc.) with fantastic tools for modifying and quantifying genes and their products.

The EU is deepening its understanding of the mechanisms involved in the organization, maintenance, replication, and expression (transcription, post-transcriptional modifications, translation) of eukaryotic genomes.

In particular, we will explore the properties of information-carrying macromolecules (DNA, RNA, proteins) and how interactions between them explain the functioning of eukaryotic cells and their adaptation to the environment and the development of organisms.

At the same time, the main techniques used to monitor or modify gene expression, or to study the mechanisms of this expression, will be presented in lectures and explored in greater depth in tutorials through the analysis of results.

Thus, the tutorials address these topics in the form of (1) exercises that allow students to test their understanding of the knowledge described above, and (2) experiments taken from scientific articles for analysis. In this way, the fundamentals of scientific reasoning and critical analysis of results will be acquired and/or further developed.

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Functional genetics aims to better understand the relationships between genotype and phenotype. This course integrates the various aspects of gene and genome function analysis at the whole-genome level using in vivo approaches, as well as transcriptional regulation and regulation of eukaryotic genome expression. The course is illustrated with concrete examples in developmental genetics in physiological and pathological contexts.

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This course unit allows students to deepen their knowledge of metabolism. It provides a comprehensive overview of human metabolism, emphasizing the links between different metabolic pathways. It also shows how different tissues communicate to maintain overall energy homeostasis. Disruptions in this metabolism that cause certain diseases will be presented.

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