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LF219-18 Tools for Biochemical Discovery

Department
Life Sciences
Level
Undergraduate Level 3
Module leader
Alexander Cameron
Credit value
18
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
100% exam
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

This module is a core requirement for the Biochemistry degree stream and it is also a natural, though not obligatory, foundation for a more advanced module in Year 3, ‘Structural Molecular Biology’ which takes the subject further, particularly in terms of biophysical techniques and computer-based methods for studying protein structure and function. It will provide an appreciation of the principles upon which key techniques in the field of biochemical discovery provide biochemical information.

Module web page

Module aims

Students will gain from this module the ability to discuss with confidence the theoretical and practical basis of key techniques in the field of biochemical discovery. They will understand the principles which underlie interpretation of data sets obtained with these techniques and be able to make informed decisions as to which technique is appropriate to use for a particular type of biochemical sample. They will gain an appreciation of how different techniques can collectively contribute to the understanding of a biological problem and will be aware of what is the current state-of-the-art for key techniques in biochemical discovery.

The content of the course will be delivered with a combination of lectures and workshops on the core material supported by student-lead learning.

In the second half of the module the scope will be widened to explain how we study biological interactions including case studies. Topics will include proteomics, high-resolution light microscopy, SPR, ITC and immunoprecipitation.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Introduction to Spectroscopic techniques

Lecture 1 Introduction to mass spectrometry
Lecture 2 Proteomics
Lecture 3- Solution spectroscopies - Circular dichroism
Lecture 4 - Solution spectroscopies - Fluorescence

Biophysical techniques to identify and measure biological interactions

Lecture 5 Introducing affinity, measuring affinity and examples of biological interactions where affinity matters
Lecture 6 Measuring affinity, kinetics and surface plasmon resonance
Lecture 7 Thermodynamic measurements and affinity, drug designs and molecular docking
Lecture 8
Lecture 9 Protein-protein interactions; the interactome

Introduction to structural biology techniques
Lectures 10 - 13 Crystallography
Lectures 14-15 NMR
Lectures 16 and 17 - Principles of structure determination by cryo-electron microscopy

Workshops
Crystallography
Ewald Sphere
Fourier Transforms

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Understand the theoretical and practical basis of key techniques in the field of biochemical discovery Understand the principles which underlie interpretation of data sets obtained with these techniques Make decisions as to which technique is appropriate to use for a particular type of biochemical sample Appreciate how different techniques can collectively contribute to the understanding of a biological problem Show awareness of what is the current state-of-the-art for key techniques in biochemical discovery
Subject specific skills

Understand the theoretical and practical basis of key techniques in the field of biochemical discovery

Understand the principles which underlie interpretation of data sets obtained with these techniques

Make decisions as to which technique is appropriate to use for a particular type of biochemical sample

Appreciate how different techniques can collectively contribute to the understanding of a biological problem

Show awareness of what is the current state-of-the-art for key techniques in biochemical discovery

Transferable skills

Quantitative analysis, self directed learning, adult learning, appraisal of source material

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 20 sessions of 1 hour (11%)
Private study 160 hours (89%)
Total 180 hours
Private study description

160 hrs of self directed learning and revision

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group B1
Weighting Study time
Online Examination 100%
  • Online examination: No Answerbook required
Feedback on assessment

Informally via lecture workshops.

Past exam papers for LF219

There is currently no information about the courses for which this module is core or optional.