CH172-15 Introduction to Chemical Biology
Introductory description
This "Introduction to Chemical Biology" module is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the interdisciplinary field that merges the principles of chemistry and biology. Chemical biology explores the intricate relationship between chemical processes and biological systems, elucidating how chemical compounds interact with and affect living organisms at the molecular level. Throughout this module, students will be introduced to fundamental concepts and techniques in chemical biology, enabling them to appreciate the critical role chemistry plays in unravelling complex biological phenomena and advancing the fields of medicine, drug discovery, and biotechnology.
Module aims
The aim of this module is to provide students with an interest in the chemistry-biology interface with a fundamental understanding of chemical biology from the top down. We will begin at the level of the whole cell and move through topics relevant to cell function and compartmentalisation, transcription and translation of proteins, and biomolecular structure. In the last part of the module, students will apply their understanding to study of digestion, glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, ATP synthesis, and the wider context of biosynthesis. Concepts and approaches covered in lectures are reinforced in workshop sessions.
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.
Cell Structure (5 lectures) covering: Introduction to cell and organelle structure; The cell envelope and other barriers; Cytoskeleton and Cell Motility; Organelles and Protein Trafficking; Extracellular Matrix and Cell-Cell Interactions.
Genes to Proteins (5 lectures) covering: Introduction to Genes and Proteins; Nuclei Acid structure; Transcription; Translation; Restriction enzymes and plasmids
Biomolecular structure (5 lectures) covering: Introduction to Biomolecules and Macromolecules; Protein Structure; Protein folding; protein-protein interactions; Key techniques in structural biology; Protein activity and disease
Mouth to Molecule (5 lectures) covering: Metabolism and Digestion; Glycolysis in cytoplasm; Citric Acid cycle; Electron Transport chain for ATP synthesis; Integrated Metabolism
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Understand the key components of cell structure and how these elements vary across species.
- Understand the requirement for compartmentalisation in cells, and the molecules the cell uses to build these compartments
- Understand the process of protein transcription and translation, as well as where proteins end up in the cell
- Understand the chemical properties and structural features of amino acids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, proteins and DNA
- Understand the processes of digestion, glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, ATP synthesis, and how these processes contribute to biosynthesis
Indicative reading list
Stryer “Biochemistry” (currently 9/e)
"Organic Chemistry" Clayden, Greeves, Warren 2/3 2012
also consider further reading in Talis Web reading list for CH278:
https://rl.talis.com/3/warwick/lists/28D09509-3E65-F017-262C-6FE7B2AA186D.html?lang=en-GB
View reading list on Talis Aspire
Interdisciplinary
This module delivers material at the chemistry-biology interface. In future years it may be part of a new Chemical Biology Degree that teaches the principles and practices of chemical biology alongside chemistry.
Subject specific skills
Understanding of key components of cell structure and how these elements vary across species, the requirement for compartmentalisation in cells, and the molecules the cell uses to build these compartments, the process of protein transcription and translation, as well as where proteins end up in the cell, the chemical properties and structural features of amino acids, nucleic acids, lipids, proteins and DNA. Module concludes with an integrated view of metabolism and digestion, highlighting how citric acid cycle products contribute to the biosynthesis of amino acids, nucleic acids, and lipids. Students will also learn to use structural databases and protein structural visualisation tools.
Transferable skills
Problem solving
Written communication
Oral communication
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 sessions of 1 hour (13%) |
| Seminars | 4 sessions of 1 hour (3%) |
| Private study | 90 hours (60%) |
| Assessment | 36 hours (24%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Directed reading, completion of assessed work, revision for examination
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 D
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop 1 | 5% | 6 hours | No |
|
This workshop will comprise an in class test that students will take in small teams, and will follow a "pub quiz" format. These will be marked and this mark will account for 5% of the student's grade in the module. |
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| Workshop 2 | 5% | 6 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
This workshop will comprise a set of questions that student must work through in the workshop session, and submit for marking. These will be marked and this mark will account for 5% of the student's grade in the module. |
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| Workshop 3 | 5% | 6 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
Students will undertake a computer based workshop where they will be taught to use structure visualisation software to complete a set of tasks and answer specific questions. These will be marked and this mark will account for 5% of the student's grade in the module. |
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| Workshop 4 | 5% | 6 hours | No |
|
This workshop will comprise an in class test that students will take in small teams, and will follow a "pub quiz" format. These will be marked and this mark will account for 5% of the student's grade in the module. |
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| Written Exam | 80% | 12 hours | No |
|
Closed book examination
|
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Assessment group R
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resit examination | 100% | No | |
|
Closed book examination
|
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Feedback on assessment
Assessed work will be either be submitted and marked in the workshop sessions or via Moodle, and markers will provide feedback / model answers via Moodle on submitted work. Examination feedback will involve cohort-level feedback on how the student cohort performed on each question, and common mistakes made.
Courses
This module is Optional for:
-
UCHA-4 Undergraduate Chemistry (with Intercalated Year) Variants
- Year 1 of F101 Chemistry (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 1 of F122 Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry (with Intercalated Year)
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UCHA-3 Undergraduate Chemistry 3 Year Variants
- Year 1 of F100 Chemistry
- Year 1 of F121 Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry
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UCHA-F110 Undergraduate Master of Chemistry (with Industrial Placement)
- Year 1 of F100 Chemistry
- Year 1 of F110 MChem Chemistry (with Industrial Placement)
- Year 1 of F112 MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry with Industrial Placement
- Year 1 of UCHA-F107 Undergraduate Master of Chemistry (with Intercalated Year)
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UCHA-F109 Undergraduate Master of Chemistry (with International Placement)
- Year 1 of F109 MChem Chemistry (with International Placement)
- Year 1 of F111 MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry (with International Placement)
-
UCHA-4M Undergraduate Master of Chemistry Variants
- Year 1 of F100 Chemistry
- Year 1 of F105 Chemistry
- Year 1 of F110 MChem Chemistry (with Industrial Placement)
- Year 1 of F109 MChem Chemistry (with International Placement)
- Year 1 of F125 MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry
- Year 1 of UCHA-F127 Undergraduate Master of Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry(with Intercalated Year)