LSC-30016: Structural Biology & Macromolecular Function

School of Life Sciences

LSC-30016

Structural Biology & Macromolecular Function

Co-ordinator:

Prof T Greenhough Room: HUX202, Tel:33405

Teaching Team:

Lecture Time:

See Timetable...

Level:

Credits:

Study Hours:

150

School Office:

Tel: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for

Biochemistry Major (Level 3)
Biochemistry Minor (Level 3)
Medicinal Chemistry Major (Level 3)

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Prerequisites

Recommended modules LSC-10003 Nature's tools: Proteins and Enzymes, LSC-20015 Molecular, cellular and structural immunology

Barred Combinations

None

Description

Advances in biotechnology, biology and biomedicine, and their impact on the quality of life, the economy, medicine and health care increasingly depend on the application of structural biology which provides detailed three-dimensional structural information at the atomic level of the proteins which are central to all life processes. While structural biology includes a variety of different techniques such as crystallography and electron microscopy, this module concentrates on the outcomes of these techniques rather than the techniques themselves, with in-depth analysis of how proteins, enzymes and viruses recognise and bind their targets, and how detailed structural information is used to intervene in or enhance these processes. An important aspect of health and well being in all forms of life is the ability to prevent, resist, fight and recover from infection and disease, and much of the course concentrates on how an increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved provides a unique opportunity for the design of potential diagnostic and therapeutic agents and strategies.

Aims

Aims and learning outcomes for this module are defined in the context of those identified in the programme specification(s) for the course(s)to which they belong (see section 9, above), and with reference to the guidance provided by the appropriate Subject Benchmark Statements (section 11, above).

The aims of this course are to show how our knowledge and understanding of biological function and the molecular basis of disease are enhanced and underpinned by detailed structural information and to develop skills in the evaluation of published scientific literature.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, successful students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
The contribution of structural information to our understanding of the molecular basis of disease; 2
The relationship of protein structure to its function; 2
The importance and uses of structural information in the detailed investigation of some or all of enzyme function, DNA recognition, tumorigenic mutations, cell signalling, recognition in innate immunity, virus architecture and pathogenicity, structure and function in adaptive immunity, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis; 2
The uses of structural information in the design of therapeutic agents; 2
At the conclusion of the module successful students will have developed skills in:
Searching for, selecting and retrieving, information; 1
The abstraction, synthesis, and summarising of information; 1
At the conclusion of the module successful students will also be aware of:
Subjective and objective assessment of scientific literature; 1

Study hours

18 Hours Lectures
01 Hour Group discussion
05 Hours Tutorials
36 Hours Research and completion of in-course report
90 Hours Private study

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 25%

REPORT 1500-2000 WORDS

2: 2 Hour Unseen Exam weighted 75%

UNSEEN EXAM - 2 HOURS

Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.