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SL20036: Protein structure (BB20020)

[Page last updated: 26 October 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: Department of Life Sciences
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CW 10%, EX 90%
Assessment Detail:
  • BB20020 Coursework (CW 10%)
  • BB20020 Examination (EX 90%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must take BB10003 OR take BB10004 OR take BB10121 OR take BB10263
Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to:
* Describe qualitatively the interactions that determine the native conformation of a protein and its stability.
* Describe the form, occurrence and function of protein folds
* Describe the process and application of spectroscopic and diffraction and microscopic techniques to the investigation of molecular structures and assemblies.
* Compare the relative advantages and limitations of these techniques and the data they provide.
* propose appropriate experiments for given structural questions.


Aims: To provide basic understanding of the factors that cause a protein to fold and the properties of those folds. To explore current methods for determining protein structures, folds and assemblies.

Skills: Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Numeracy & computation T/F/A, Laboratory skills T/F, Information technology T/F, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F, Group working T/F.

Content: Principles of protein folding
Protein folds
Methods and application of X-ray crystallography to protein structure and the recent advances including cryo-electron microscopy.
Methods and application of NMR spectroscopy to protein structure.
Application of structural data to medicine and drug discovery.
At the end of this unit, students should be in a position to read and analyse primary literature concerning protein structures.
This unit will build on first year introductory material to protein structure and methods for studying properties of proteins. It will assume knowledge of levels of protein structure, amino acid names and chemistry and methods for expressing and purifying proteins. It is designed for students doing the core Biochemistry units, but other students wishing to choose it as an option may do so as long as they are aware that this knowledge is expected.

Course availability:

SL20036 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Environmental Science stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Environmental Science stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Environmental Science stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Environmental Science with Biochemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Environmental Science with Biochemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Environmental Science with Biochemistry stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Pharmacology with Biochemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Pharmacology with Biochemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Pharmacology with Biochemistry stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) with Professional Placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Professional Placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) with Professional Placement (Year 2)
Department of Life Sciences
  • USSL-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Biochemistry (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Biochemistry with Professional Placement (Year 2)
  • USSL-AFM01 : MBiochem(Hons) Biochemistry (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKM01 : MBiochem(Hons) Biochemistry with Professional Placement (Year 2)

SL20036 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Environmental Science stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Environmental Science stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Environmental Science stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Pharmacology stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Environmental Science with Chemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Environmental Science with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Environmental Science with Chemistry stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Pharmacology with Chemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Pharmacology with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Pharmacology with Chemistry stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Pharmacology stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Professional Placement (Year 2)
Department of Life Sciences
  • USSL-AFB03 : BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKB03 : BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences with Professional Placement (Year 2)
  • USSL-AFM03 : MBioMed(Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKM03 : MBioMed(Hons) Biomedical Sciences with Professional Placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.