Content (Syllabus outline)
Introduction to biological membranes: composition, structure, and functions.
Membrane lipids.
Comparative overview, structure of membrane lipids (glycerophosphatides, sphingolipids, glycolipids, sterols, hopanoids, LPS, fatty acids). Biogenesis of biomembranes - overview.
Membrane lipids.
Biosynthesis, transformation, and degradation of glycerophosphatides, sphingolipids, sterols, and sorting of membrane lipids. Reactive oxigen species and membrane lipids. Biologically active derivatives of fatty acids and sterols. Lipoproteins and membrane lipids cycling.
Membrane proteins.
Structural characteristics of integral and peripheral membrane proteins. Membrane glycoproteins and proteoglycans in ECM. Biosynthesis and sorting of membrane proteins, quality control and degradation. Protein glycosylation. Translocons and protein insertion in membranes.
Model membranes.
Lipid forms and models (micelles, bicelles, lipid monolayer, lipid vesicles and droplets, planar lipid membranes), characteristics and usage.
Biophysical characteristics of membranes.
Membrane curvature. Surface tension and lateral pressure. Electrical properties. Lipid ordering and phase transitions. Lateral lipid and protein segregation, lipid microdomains and »lipid rafts«.
Fundamentals of transmembrane transport.
Conceptual differences in transmembrane transport. Primary and secondary active transport. Membrane transporters-overview and examples.
Membranes and cell signalling.
Principles of cell signalling and secondary messengers. Membrane receptors. Extracellular signalling molecules. 7-TMS receptors, TKRs, G-proteins ,and transduction mechanisms. Examples of protein-kinase cascades and their interactions. Integration of transduction pathways and adaptive mechanisms.
Practicals, laboratory work, seminars, project work:
Laboratory practicals:
1. Isolation of erythrocyte membranes-»ghosts« and lipid rafts.
2. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of membrane proteins and lipids.
3. Preparation of small unilamellar vesicles.
4. Estimation of lipid vesicle permeability.
5. Determination of surface tension of lipid monolayer (demonstration).
6. Preparation of giant lipid vesicles (demonstration).
Student selects, writes, and presents a seminar.
Team of students (3-4) creates idea on a small research project, write and present it to peers.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites for inclusion in the work:
· enrolment in the appropriate academic year
knowledge of biochemistry and genetics at BSc level.