BCH3052 · Protein biology: From sequence to structure and disease

Overview

The course will give you an advanced understanding of protein structure-function in the context of human disease. Major themes relate the various levels of protein structure to their wide ranging functions, introduce modern techniques used in the analysis of structure and function, and explore the rapidly developing area of protein-related biotechnologies and drug design. Topics to be covered include examples of aberrations in protein structure that lead to alteration in function in a variety of biological contexts, emphasizing disease. Additionally the use of bioinformatics in aiding our understanding of protein sequence, structure and function will be highlighted.

Areas of study: Biochemistry Microbiology

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Describe the relationship between protein sequence, structure (including structural dynamics) and function and relate this to specific examples in human health and disease;
2. Explain how proteins fold to their correct three dimensional shape and how this process may go wrong and cause disease;
3. Describe how various biophysical methods are used to determine the structures and interactions of peptides and proteins;
4. Critically analyse how our understanding of proteins contributes to biotechnology and medicine, including how protein engineering contributes to these fields;
5. Apply experimental techniques and data analysis methodologies to deduce structural and functional information relating to proteins;
6. Communicate the synthesis of experimental results and relevant theories through reports consistent with professional standards in the field.

Workload

• Six hours of directed learning (including online lessons, workshops and laboratories) and • Six hours of independent study per week.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.