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BB40048: Enzymes: mechanisms, evolution and control in integrated biological systems

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Biology & Biochemistry
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 6
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 2
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: EX 100%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take BB20018
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
The fields of Genomics, Proteomics, and the new and currently developing area of Metabolomics, active and important as they are, provide only descriptive information about biological systems. Ultimately, a true understanding of biological organisms from a functional standpoint will require a quantitative approach. This course will address the functional aspect of enzymes from the fundamental aspects of their mechanistic behaviour and its basis in structure, through their evolution and how by using Control Theory, one can learn how they act in integrated biological formats. The course aims to provide a grounding in how to understand biological events by looking at biological organisms as integrated system.

Learning Outcomes:
After taking this course the student should be able to:
* describe how genes and genomes have evolved to give the current plethora of enzymes;
* recognise the existence of gene families and relatedness between families of enzymes;
* describe how information on kinetics and protein chemistry and structure can be used to provide mechanistic evidence;
* explain general approaches and specific types of catalysis in the context of enzyme mechanism and their evolution;
* apply current knowledge of the relationship of protein structure, function and evolution to the engineering of enzymes;
* explain how to analyse integrated systems of enzymes in order to explain how biological organisms function and evolve.

Skills:
Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F.

Content:
Chemical evolution and the origin of life. The RNA world. Evolution of enzymes: gene duplication, mutation and divergence, and adaptation and selection. Enzyme mechanisms: methodology of elucidating enzyme mechanisms; relationship of enzyme structure to mechanism and function; specific, research-based case studies from a variety of departmental staff. Control theory and regulation. How organisms maintain homeostatic states. Metabolic analysis and its application to biotechnology and disease. How metabolic systems evolve. Biochemical basis of dominance.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

BB40048 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Biology & Biochemistry
  • USBB-AFB02 : BSc (hons) Biochemistry (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USBB-AKB06 : BSc (hons) Biochemistry with Professional Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USBB-AFB05 : BSc (hons) Molecular and Cellular Biology (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USBB-AKB08 : BSc (hons) Molecular and Cellular Biology with Professional Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USBB-ANM02 : MBiochem (hons) Biochemistry (Full-time with Thin Sandwich Placements) - Year 4
  • RSBB-AFM07 : Integrated PhD Postgenomic Biosciences (Biosciences Route) (Full-time) - Year 1
  • RSBB-AFM19 : Integrated PhD Postgenomic Biosciences (Protein Structure & Function Route) (Full-time) - Year 1
  • TSBB-AFM03 : MRes Biosciences (Full-time) - Year 1
  • TSBB-AFM19 : MRes Protein Structure and Function (Full-time) - Year 1
  • TSBB-AFM06 : MSc Biosciences (Full-time) - Year 1
  • TSBB-AFM13 : MSc Protein Structure and Function (Full-time) - Year 1
Department of Chemistry
Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.