Protein Structure and Function in Biomedicine and Sustainable Biotechnology
Course content
Protein science is central in the fundamental understanding of how organisms function, but also in the application and significance of proteins in sustainable biotechnologies and biomedicine. The function of proteins is carried out through their three-dimensional structure and dynamics. The aim of this course is to guide students who already have a basic knowledge of protein chemistry, structure and function through more advanced aspects of protein science based on critical reading of original literature, with two themes running throughout the course: the role of proteins in disease and proteins as biotechnological tools for sustainable industrial applications.
The course will cover several aspects of the relationship between protein structure and function by going into depths into several case studies. Short introductions to biochemical and biophysical techniques to study proteins and to practical use of protein sequence and structure databases and molecular graphics programs will be given as part of the course. Aspects of structure and function of enzymes, particularly esterases and carbohydrate-active enzymes in industrial biotechnology, metalloproteins, transcription factors, membrane proteins, intrinsically unfolded proteins and designed proteins will be covered, with other topics varying from year to year.
The course has also some focus on use of LLMs as aid for learning, reading literature, writing and preparing presentation in the field of Protein Structure and Function.
MSc Programme in Biotechnology
MSc Programme in Molecular Biomedicine
MSc Programme in Biology
Knowledge:
The student must demonstrate to have acquired knowledge on the structure and functions of the specific proteins covered in the course, as well as the general mechanisms by which protein structure dictates its function, e.g. catalysis and molecular recognition
Skills:
The students must be able to:
- Independently read and evaluate original research articles in English and critically describe how the experiments give information on the relationship between protein structure and function.
- Formulate themselves precisely orally and in writing when discussing protein structure and function.
- Search for relevant information in protein sequence and structure databases
- Illustrate important points related to a protein's structure and function by preparing figures using molecular graphics and drawing programs
- Recognize and describe different types of structures and functional mechanisms for proteins.
Competencies:
The student must be able to
- Gather and critically evaluate relevant information on specific aspects of protein structure and function from the scientific literature and relevant databases
- Relevantly integrate the gathered information in discussion of protein chemistry, structure and function in the broader context of medicine and biotechnology
The course is primarily organized in on-line modules, that can be taken sequentially at own pace, though with a suggested timetable. Materials include prerecorded lectures and practice quizzes and online tutorials/workshops. It is strongly recommended to study the core of the first 5 modules before the first presentation day. While taking the modules the students can interact with teachers through a discussion forum. The minimal requirement for online quizzes (see exam) must be satisfactorily completed minimum two weeks prior to the exam however the students are recommended to do this before the first presentation day. 1-3 on-line days with compulsory attendance are reserved for student presentations/discussion with final dates announced latest end of June to registered students (students might be split in different groups depending on number of participants. In exceptional cases, the student may be allowed to deliver a pre-recorded video of the presentation instead. The presentations will be based on assigned articles fitting the course themes.
Most of the curriculum consists of original literature (reviews and articles). Additionally, online material, video materials, own notes and textbook chapters will be provided.
The course is intended for students who already have a basic
knowledge of protein chemistry, structure and function. This means
the equivalent of at least 7.5 ECTS (and preferably 15 ECTS) solely
on protein chemistry, structure and function (of course this could
be from part of several different courses). Students who do not
have at least 15 ECTS within the topic are welcome, but must expect
a higher course burden.
Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree are recommended.
However, last year students in BSc studies where they have already
had contact with primary literature in protein science are also
welcome, if they have the basic knowledge above.
Both Chemistry and non-Chemistry students with an interest in
proteins structure and function are welcome (e.g. from Biology,
Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biomedicine and
Nanoscience). Bachelor students with sufficient background in
protein science are also welcome as long as this is allowed within
their curriculum.
Bachelor students with sufficient background in protein science are
also welcome as long as this is allowed within their curriculum.
The course may be of particular relevance for students with
interest in medicinal chemistry and biotechnology. PhD students
e.g. from medicinal chemistry wanting to strengthen their
competences in protein structure and function are welcome, as are
e.g. high school teachers as single subject
students.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Written assignment, 36 hours
- Type of assessment details
- Written, individual assignments consisting of a set of questions and tasks. The assignment will be based on articles covered in the course and relevant background materials, and include tasks covered in the online tutorials and workshop.
- Examination prerequisites
-
Compulsory online quizzes (minimum 5 quizzes or 75 points from more quizzes) must be passed prior to the exam. Attendance of the online presentation days and active participation in the course activities for these days is also compulsory
- Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examiners
- Re-exam
-
Same as the ordinary exam.
The exam registration requirement must be satisfied at latest three weeks before the re-examination (attendance of online presentation days can be replaced by handing in video-recording of article presentations and question sets, as agreed with the course responsible)
Criteria for exam assessment
See Learning Outcome
Single subject courses (day)
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 20
- Preparation
- 70
- E-Learning
- 56
- Seminar
- 12
- Exam Preparation
- 12
- Exam
- 36
- English
- 206
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- NKEK22004U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
- Placement
- Summer
- Schedulegroup
-
Online course.
Online modules open in block 4 re-exam week. Compulsory online live meetings are placed in late July-beginning of August on two or more of the following dates: 19 July, 23 July, 28 July, 3 August, 5 August, 9 August. The final number of dates will be announced in the end of June, when the number of participants is known. The exam will take place in mid August (week 33). - Capacity
- No limitation – unless you register in the late-registration period (BSc and MSc) or as a credit or single subject student.
- Studyboard
- Study Board of Physics, Chemistry and Nanoscience
Contracting department
- Department of Chemistry
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinator
- Leila Lo Leggio (5-746d717469486b706d7536737d366c73)
Teacher
Other teachers from the Department of Chemistry may be involved
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