Biochemistry of Cell Damage and Protection
Theory: 2 hours/week | ECTS Units: 4
Tutoring in the English language is offered to Erasmus students
Learning Outcomes
The aim of the course is to introduce students to the fundamental concepts related to the effects of various types of damage (arising from environmental factors, pollution, biochemical processes, etc.) at the cellular and, primarily, at the molecular level. Particular emphasis is placed on the biochemical mechanisms developed by cells to repair damage and protect the organism.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand and describe the mechanisms of wound healing and tissue repair at the molecular and cellular levels.
- Explain cellular damage caused by temperature changes and alterations in circadian (diurnal) rhythms, as well as the corresponding cellular response and adaptation mechanisms.
- Identify and analyze cellular and molecular damage induced by exposure to radiation, free radicals, heavy metals, and environmental pollutants.
- Describe cellular protection mechanisms and mechanisms of programmed cell death, with particular emphasis on apoptosis.
- Understand and explain the mechanisms involved in the repair of nucleic acids—primarily DNA—as well as protein repair mechanisms.
Analytical Description of the Course
Detailed Course outline:
- INTRODUCTION – SOURCES OF CELLULAR DAMAGE
- CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF WOUND HEALING AND TISSUE REPAIR
- RADIATION: CELLULAR DAMAGE, PROTECTIVE MECHANISMS, AND BENEFICIAL EFFECTS
- ENVIRONMENTAL CUES, CIRCADIAN TIMING, AND CELLULAR STRESS RESPONSES
- METAL-INDUCED CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR DAMAGE
- OXIDATIVE STRESS
- MECHANISMS OF DNA REPAIR AND NUCLEIC ACID–MEDIATED PROTECTION
- MECHANISMS OF CELLULAR DEATH – APOPTOSIS
Student Performance Evaluation
Student assessment is based on a group oral presentation and a written final examination. Students work in groups and present a topic related to the course content, selected from an approved Topic Bank available on the E-class platform. Each group submits one oral presentation and one written assignment of predefined length.
The final grade is composed of:
- Oral presentation: 35%
- Written examination: 65%
Assessment is carried out by the instructor, with the optional participation of students in the evaluation of oral presentations. Assessment criteria are announced in advance, and final results are available through the official course website.
Assessment criteria are communicated clearly and in advance and are explicitly stated to students. Final results are accessible via the official course website (URL).
Suggested Bibliography
- Molnar J.A., “Nutrition and Wound Healing” Taylor & Francis, 2007
- Caldecott K.W., “Eukaryotic DNA Damage Surveillance and Repair”
Landes Biosciences/Eurekah.com and Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publisers, 2004
Teaching Material / E-class
Lecturers
Nikolaos Balatsos (Course Coordinator)
