Structure, Function and Analysis of Proteins
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| LIFE2077 | Life Sciences | 2 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- LIFE2077
- School
- Life Sciences
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
The structure and function of soluble proteins; how individual proteins can be studied in molecular detail; the problems associated with studying membrane-bound proteins; enzyme kinetics and catalysis; practical aspects of affinity purification, SDS PAGE, western blotting, enzyme assays, bioinformatics and molecular modelling approaches.
Target Students
The module is compulsory for Single Honours Biochemistry students, with or without another subject. The module has a cap of 120 places due to the mode of delivery (exceptions to the cap will be made only for Single Honours Biochemistry students).Students on other degrees need written approval from one of the named Module Convenors, and students enrolling without this agreement may have their place on the module cancelled without notice
Co-requisites
Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:
Classes
This module may be delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops and labs etc
Assessment
- 50% Coursework 1: Laboratory report (3,000 words).
- 50% Exam 1 (2-hour): ExamSys exam
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
Students will be able to describe the general structure of soluble proteins; they will learn about methods to analyse the different levels of protein structure; they will gain knowledge about the specific properties of structural and myofibrillar proteins; they will be able to describe the structure of several specific membrane-bound proteins and the challenges associated with their purification; they will know how enzymes operateand be able to describe the kinetics of enzyme-catalysed reactions; they will be able to discuss complex enzyme mechanisms and how these enzyme actions are controlled; they will learn about methodologies to study protein interactions and the research applications of proteins; they will explore the concept of orchestrated interaction of proteinsin vivo (both transient and stable). They will support theoretical knowledge with practical experience of different analytical approaches required to study and purify proteins and enzymes, and hands-on bioinformatics analyses of protein sequence data.Learning Outcomes
A. Knowledge and understanding - students will understand:
- the chemistry and structure of proteins and how that determines biological properties
- how to describe protein functions and their control mechanisms
B. Intellectual skills - students will have the ability to:
- explain the principles that determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules and give detailed examples of how structure enables function
- explain the chemical and thermodynamic principles underlying biological catalysis
- and the role of enzymes and other proteins in determining the function and fate of
- cells and organisms
C. Practical/Professional skills - students will develop the ability to:
- record data accurately, and to carry out basic manipulation of data (including qualitative data and statistical analysis, when appropriate)
- use of bioinformatics approaches in the analysis of large datasets
D. Transferable / key skills - students will have the ability to:
- gain an awareness of professional standards, including Good Laboratory Practice
- data collection, recording and interpretation
Conveners
- Dr Claire Friel
- Prof Robert Layfield