Entry requirements

Introduction to biotechnology and bioinformatics. Cell Biology.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should be able to

• account for structure of proteins, DNA and RNA
• explain the relationship between protein sequence and protein structure
• describe how structure implies function within different biological fields such as catalysis, transport and regulation
• explain basic principles of experimental methods for determination of structure of macromolecules
• use sequence and structure databases
• use computer programs to visualise three-dimensional structures and by means of these be able to analyse the relationship between structure and function
• estimate the validity of information in structural databases
• use bioinformatic tools for sequence alignment, motive identification and prediction of secondary and tertiary structures
• account for aim, theoretical background and limitations of the above mentioned bioinformatic methods and use this knowledge to interpret results

Content

Structure and characteristics of macromolecules (proteins, DNA, RNA). Relation between sequence, structure and function. Structural background to the dynamics, bindning specificity, catalysis and cooperativity of macromolecules. Function of macromolecules highlighted by a number of examples within fields such as enzymes, membrane proteins, signalling and translation.

Biological databases, servers and information centres. Sequence comparisons. Basic macromolecular structure: three-dimensional structure, PDB co-ordinates, classification of proteins in structure families, programs for modelling. Introduction to the theory of classification and comparison of sequences and extraction of joint distinctive features (e.g., motives). Computer modelling of three-dimensional structures based on sequence data; sequence analysis for prediction of secondary and tertiary structures.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars and computer exercises.

Assessment

Test, seminar assignments and at the end of the course a written examination. Laboratory sessions and seminars: 2 credits.