Structure and Function of Macromolecules
Syllabus, Master's level, 1BG349
- Code
- 1BG349
- Education cycle
- Second cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- Applied Biotechnology A1N, Biology A1N
- Grading system
- Fail (U), Pass (3), Pass with credit (4), Pass with distinction (5)
- Finalised by
- The Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 9 February 2023
- Responsible department
- Biology Education Centre
Entry requirements
Completed courses of 150 credits including (1) 90 credits in biology and chemistry of which at least 30 credits in each subject, or (2) participation in Trends in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.
Learning outcomes
The overall goal of this course is to give students advanced knowledge of the relationship between the structure and function of macromolecules.
On completion of the course, students should be able to:
- describe the basis of biological macromolecules' structure and properties
- explain structural mechanisms determining how important biological processes take place and are controlled: e.g. catalysis, cell signalling and protein synthesis
- describe the principles of the most important methods of structure determination: X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and electron microscopy, and analyse the quality of the models to which the methods lead
- analyse the structure of macromolecules by means of molecular graphics programmes
- use databases containing information about the sequence, structure and function of macromolecules
- use methods for predicting the properties, structure and function of macromolecules, and analyse and critically review these results
- explain basic concepts and critically review relative strengths and weaknesses of methods in structural bioinformatics and computational biochemistry
- read, summarise, critically review, discuss and present scientific literature in the field of the course both orally and in writing
Content
Basic structural biology and structural bioinformatics
Basic macromolecular structure, proteins, DNA and RNA. Methods for experimental structure determination of macromolecules. Biological sequence and structure databases. Relationships between sequence, structure and function. Analysis of the structure of macromolecules by means of molecular graphics programmes. Prediction of the properties, structure and function of macromolecules based on sequence data. Structural analysis and classification of proteins in structure families.
The structural biology of the cell
Macromolecular structure–function relationships in, for example, enzyme catalysis, signalling, transcription and protein synthesis. Binding specificity and regulation of enzymes and receptors. Introduction to structure-based drug development. Critical reading of scientific articles in the field of the course.
Introduction to computational biochemistry
Introduction to computer modelling of ligand binding, protein folding and enzyme catalysis.
Project
Project containing literature studies and bioinformatic analyses in the field of the course.
Instruction
Instruction is provided in the form of lectures, computer exercises, laboratory sessions, seminars and projects. Participation in computer exercises, laboratory sessions, seminars and project are compulsory.
Assessment
Modules: Theory 7 credits; Seminars, computer exercises, and laboratory sessions 3.5 credits; Project 3 credits; Written report in computational chemistry 1.5 credits. The theory is examined through written examinations. Computer exercises and laboratory sessions require active participation. The project is examined through written and oral presentation.
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.
Other directives
Cannot be included in the same degree as 1BG351 Structure and Function of Biomolecules 10 credits.
Reading list
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2023, version 2
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2023, version 1
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2022
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2020
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2019
- Reading list valid from Spring 2016
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2015
- Reading list valid from Spring 2013
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2012
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2011
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2010
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2008