Entry requirements

120 credits in Science including 60 credits Chemistry including 15 credits Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry, or equivalent. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• to analyse structure/function relationships in biocatalysed reactions
• to predict possible catalytic mechnisms of given reaction types
• to present strategies for the analysis of kinetic mechanisms of catalysed reactions
• to account for industrial applications of biocatalysis

Content

Reaction kinetics of simple and complex reactions (rate equations, reaction order, molecularity, rate limiting step). Thermodynamic aspects of reactions (reaction coordinates, activated complexes and transition states). Enzyme kinetics (steady-state kinetics, pre-steady-state kinetics). Reaction mechanisms (ligand binding; catalytic groups: acid/base, nucleophiles, electrophiles, co-factors, metals and entropic effects). Experimental analysis of catalytic and kinetic mechanisms (spectrometry, X-ray crystallography, stopped flow, isotope effects, structure/reactivity relationships). Mathematical data analysis (regression analysis, model discrimination). Modelling of enzymatic reactions. Stereo chemistry (mechanisms). Structure/function relationships (protein folding, mutagenesis, enzyme inhibition, evolution av catalytic mechanism, catalytic antibodies). Catalytic nucleic acids (ribozymes, catalytic DNA).

Instruction

The course includes lectures, groups discussions, tutorials and laboratory practicals. Participation in discussions, tutorials and laboratory practicals is mandatory. In addition, a mandatory literature project should be carried out, which is presented orally and in writing

Assessment

A written exam is held at the end of the course and corresponds to 9 credits. Mandatory course components, tutorials, laboratory practicals and literature project, corresponds to 6 points. For a final passing grade, reports from the mandatory components must be passed. The final grade is weighted from the results on the written exam and the practical part.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.