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

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:

• Level 5 understanding of the theoretical and practical basis of key techniques in the field of biochemical discovery
• Level 5 understanding of the principles which underlie interpretation of data sets obtained with these techniques
• Level 5 understanding of research techniques and their applications
• Level 5 understanding of how different techniques can collectively contribute to the understanding of a biological problem
• Level 5 understanding and 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