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| Unit name |
Macromolecular Structure, Dynamics and Function |
| Unit code |
BIOC20002 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
I/5
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Cory |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
BIOC10002, BIOC10003 & BIOC10004
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
School of Biochemistry |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Life Sciences |
Description including Unit Aims
The unit develops material introduced in the Level C/4 units: BCC, BCP, Biological Chemistry 1A and Biological Chemistry 1B.
It covers the structure of proteins and how they are studied experimentally, how cells extract energy from their surroundings, how energy is utilised to power molecular motors and the movement of molecules around the cell, and how molecular motors are used in cellular activities and structures.
Teaching is normally delivered through lectures, practical sessions and data handling workshops.
The unit develops understanding the following areas:
Element 1. Structural Basis of Disease
- The viral life cycle and drug development
- Use of genome sequences
- Structure-based drug design and X-ray crystallography
- Recombinant protein expression
- Development of drug resistance
- Challenges of deducing structures of membrane proteins
Element 2. Molecules in Motion
- Kinesin motors
- Myosin motors
- Dynein motors
- Flagella and chemotaxis
- Microtubule dynamics and functions
Element 3. Powering Biological Systems
- Proton-coupled redox reactions
- The generation and detoxification of reactive oxygen species
- Roles of redox reactions in biology
- Mitochondria and the production of ATP
- Photosynthesis in plants and bacteria
- Structures and dynamics of transporters
The unit aims to develop the following skills:
- Understanding of relevant biochemical techniques and how they can be applied to address specific research questions.
- Numeracy and the ability to complete calculations based on protein purification, bioenergetics and redox potential.
- The ability to research and describe a particular area of Biochemistry in written form.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Students should be able to demonstrate the following:
- Knowledge and understanding of soluble and membrane proteins, and the techniques available for their study.
- Knowledge and understanding of the issues surrounding drug design.
- Knowledge and understanding of reactive oxygen species.
- Knowledge and understanding of how cells extract energy from their surroundings to form ATP.
- Knowledge and understanding of secondary transport.
- Knowledge and understanding of how ATP is used to power diverse molecular motors.
- Knowledge and understanding of the functions of microtubules.
- The ability to perform calculations based on protein purification and enzyme kinetics.
- The ability to perform calculations based on redox potential and solute transport.
- Knowledge and understanding of relevant biochemical techniques.
- The ability to research a specific biochemical topic using textbooks and the scientific literature and to present findings in a written format.
Teaching Information
The teaching in the unit is normally delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including lectures, workshops and practicals.
Assessment Information
Coursework: 40%
Timed assessment: 60%
Reading and References
Core reading:
- Voet & Voet, Biochemistry, Wiley
- Berg et al, Biochemistry, Freeman
- Alberts et al, Molecular biology of the cell, 2015
Additional/supplementary reading:
- Nicholls and Ferguson, Bioenergetics 4, Academic Press
- Stevens et al, Molecular biology of assemblies and machines, 2016
