BC3011:03
Protein Structure and Function
Townsville
Prerequisites: BC2013 BC2024
Inadmissable Subject Combination: BC3024
30 lectures, 4 tutorials, 36 hours practicals. First semester to run consecutively with BC3010.
Staff: Dr S Vasudevan, Professor J Burnell, Dr D Miller, Dr J Hermans, Dr D Ollis, Assoc. Professor D Yellowlees.
This subject is essential for the sound and well-rounded training in the discipline of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. In fact the revolution brought about by gene cloning has resulted in a convergence of several major disciplines in medical and biological sciences enabling their study at the molecular level. Since proteins are the “work horses” in cells, a sound knowledge of protein structure and function will equip the student to pursue careers in a wide variety of areas.
Learning Objectives:
- translation of mRNA into proteins;
- the concepts of motifs and domains in protein structure;
- evolution of proteins;
- how proteins are folded;
- the methods used to isolate and characterise proteins;
- involvement of membranes in signalling;
- the importance of glycoproteins (e.g. in blood group factors);
- enzyme mechanisms and the basis for targeting enzymes (e.g. HIV protease in production of designer drugs);
- methods used in the determination of the 3D structure of proteins;
- ageing and aspects of other cellular protein turnover.
Assessment by one three-hour examination (65%); practicals (25%); assignment (10%).
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