PSL425H1F - Integrative Metabolism and Its Endocrine Regulation

Friday - 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Coordinator: Dr. Tony Lam

Description: This course will provide the student with current perspectives on metabolism and its endocrine regulation and emphasize the potential of the endocrine and metabolic field of investigation in obesity and diabetes research. The goal is to integrate the newest findings and experimental approaches from cellular and molecular areas into metabolic function at the tissue, organ and whole body level.

Upon completion of the course the student will be able:

To integrate the fundamentals of fuel and energy metabolism and its endocrine regulation into a whole body perspective
To grasp the current concepts in obesity and diabetes research
To start formulating hypotheses to address specific questions in the area of metabolism

Topics Covered: Overview of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism; lipoprotein metabolism; protein metabolism; control of food intake and obesity; hormone receptors and signalling pathways; insulin action and mechanisms of insulin resistance; mechanisms of insulin secretion; type 1 and type 2 diabetes; complications of diabetes; insulin resistance, diabetes and cardiovascular disease; exercise and stress; hypoglycemia and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Prerequisites: BCH210H1, PSL300H

Recommended Preparation: PSL303Y1/PSL305H1

It is expected that the student will have a good background in basic biochemistry and physiology.

Evaluation:

5% Answer class questions
5% Present previous lecture summary
35% Midterm Exam
10% Critique of clinical/research paper
45 % Final Exam

Suggested Readings:

Silverthorn. Human Physiology: an integrated approach. 8th edition, 2018.
   Chapters on metabolism, general principles of endocrine physiology.
   Any updated physiology book is good as a starter.

Horton, Moran et al. Principles of Biochemistry, 5th edition, 2011.
   Berg, Stryer. Biochemistry, 9th edition, 2019.
   Other modern biochemistry textbooks also cover the basics.

Devlin. Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations, 7th edition, 2010.
   Good perspective for this course.

Holt RG, Cockram CS, Flyvbjerg, Goldstein BJ, 2016. Textbook of diabetes, 5th edition (previously edited by Pickup & Williams).

Research group affliliation: Endocrinology and diabetes