46
Methods in Neurobiology:
Histology techniques: light microscopic
studies
Applications using fluorescent dyes
Histology techniques: electron microscop-
ic studies
Techniques to map neuronal connections
Molecular biological techniques
Living experimental models
Electrophysiological approaches
Behavioral studies
Dissection, virtual dissection, imaging
techniques
A
CKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Grateful thanks to Erik Hrabovszky for the
precise proof reading and useful hints.
47
Organic and Biochemistry
Péter Mátyus
a
, Gábor
Krajsovszky
a
Semmelweis University
Department of Organic Chemistry
Budapest, Hungary
peter.matyus@szerves.sote.hu
Krasimir Kolev
b
, László Csanády
b
,
Raymund Machovich
b
, László Tretter
b
Semmelweis University
Department of Medical Biochemistry
Budapest, Hungary
József Dobó
c
Hungarian Academy of
Sciences
Institute of Enzymology
Budapest, Hungary
authors and lecturers:
a
Organic Chemistry;
b
Biochemistry 2008-2010,
c
Biochemistry 2011-
I.
I
NTRODUCTION
Chemistry fuels the engine of life, and, as a
science, plays an essential role in all biosci-
ences.
The course in Organic and Biochemistry
aims at providing a solid molecular basis with
emphasis on the interface of chemistry, biolo-
gy and informatics to satisfy the special re-
quirements of students in Molecular Bionics
and Infobionics. It presents key concepts and
principles of chemistry, focusing on the struc-
tures, structure – reactivity/property/function
relationships of main classes of organic and
bioorganic compounds, the mechanisms, reac-
tion kinetics and thermodynamics of most
important types of organic reactions.
Throughout, it illustrates the integral role of
chemistry in biosciences, helping students get
a multidisciplinary view on the complex liv-
ing systems.
II.
S
TRUCTURE OF THE COURSE
The organic chemistry part starts with no-
menclature of organic compounds, and
demonstrates how easy to apply rules for
naming complex structures. Next, levels of
structural representations, 2D and 3D repre-
sentation of molecules, with overview on
isomerism and chirality are discussed. Chemi-
cal bond formation, acidity-basicity and reac-
tivity, basic knowledge on reaction mecha-
nisms, and non-covolent interactions are in-
cluded to foster understanding of governing
principles of organic/enzymatic reactions and
non-covalent supramolecular, like receptor-
ligand interactions. Main classes of organic
compounds, alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and
aromatic compounds and those possessing
functional groups relevant to biology are
briefly described. Carbonyl compounds, rep-
resenting a particularly important class of
compounds for living organisms, are dis-
cussed in most details. Some representatives
of heterocyclic compounds, occuring in bio-
systems (e.g. building blocks of DNA), their
structure – reactivity relationships and in-
volvement in bio-organic and medicinal
chemistry are finally included.
The second part of the course, biochemis-
try focuses on molecules of the living world
including major building blocks of life, such
as amino acids, proteins, DNA, RNA, carbo-
hydrates, lipids and vitamins. Basic metabolic
pathways of the cell and the body, transducing
and storing energy describes classical meta-
bolic pathways like glycolysis, the citric acid
cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Storage
and mobilization of energy in the form of fats
and glycogen is discussed. Biosynthesis and
breakdown represent an inexhaustible topic of
biochemistry. The biochemistry course also
discusses the synthesis and breakdown of
DNA, RNA and proteins, certain methods of
recombinant DNA technology and synthetic
biology. Structures of membranes and trans-
ports through them and ion channels are
shown. As an example for understanding
complex biochemical processes at molecular
49
48
level, how nerve impulses are generated and
transmitted is included in the last part.
III.
C
ONCLUSIONS
The course aims to demonstrate the essen-
tial contribution of chemistry to biosciences,
focusing on basic chemical concepts and the
most relevant themes of organic and bio-
chemistry. The fascinating achievements of
chemistry in understanding key events and
key features of living systems at molecular
level will boost confidence of students in
learning.
49
Bioethics
Kálmán Nyéky
Pázmány Péter Catholic University
Faculty of Information Technology
Budapest, Hungary
nyeky.kalman@itk.ppke.hu
Summary - Bioethics is a cross-discipline, in
other words it is researched by scientists work-
ing on various fields of science: medical doc-
tors, legal experts, sociologists, philosophers,
theologians. The purpose of the book is to pro-
vide an introduction into the realm of ethics
which calls attention to the responsible behav-
ior in different fields of science, most im-
portantly in connection with human life and
the environment. Each chapter deals with var-
ious basic values of life, mainly human life, and
its context. A special focus is given to the con-
flict between the implementation of the results
of science and the limits of their ethical toler-
ance. Can everything be allowed, which can be
technically realized? In the meanwhile a spe-
cialized ethical study is carried out with the
assistance of the representatives of the different
fields of sciences taking the current medical
researches and processes into consideration.
Keywords - Bioethics, medical research,
genetic counselling, organ transplantation,
informed consent, cloning, abortion, euthanasia,
hospice, contraseption, medical oath, beginning
of life, end of life
I.
I
NTRODUCTION
Bioethics is a discipline dealing with the
ethical issues of the living world. Nonetheless
it is an important question what kind of life it
is. Very importantly, it is human life that
called into being the basic topics of Bioethics.
They are known by every well informed per-
son, since its issues are: the beginning and the
end of human life, in connection with them the
question of abortion, artificial insemination,
gene-therapy, organ transplantation, euthana-
sia, which today present not only medical or
ethical concerns.
II.
ETHICAL ISSUES
One of the first questions that relativize the
value of life is: „Which is more valuable a
new precious possession or a new child?” The
next questions immediately stem from it:
„When does individual human life really
begin? Is it allowed to terminate the life of a
human embryo, if yes, how long?” Another
issue can also be raised: „Can any distinction
be made between two human beings accord-
ing to their physical or mental abilities, or
their gender?” It leads to the next important
problem: „What should happen to foeti show-
ing signs of any deformation?” „What should
happen to female embryos?” It is significant
that the termination of male foeti is never an
issue, which shows the distorted perception
concerning the reduced value of women!
The spread of democratic rights has raised
another fundamental question: Who should
decide about the life of a patient and the
treatment to be applied? The doctor, who
knows what needs to be done in the sake of
the sick person, or the patient, whose life or
health is in danger? “Whose life is it, any-
way?” Who should make a decision if the
person most concerned cannot make a choice
or is not able to express his/her wish? Who
should determine the fate of the unconscious
patient who that of the embryo? What is the
doctor supposed to do in case he/she is to as-
sist a patient who has attempted suicide who
wishes to die. Should forced gastric lavage be
applied or the patient should be left to die?
Using machines to lengthen life also raises a
new question: How long a life has to be, can
be lengthened?