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SL40130: Structural biology in biotechnology & medicine (BB40109)

[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: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • BB40109 Coursework (CW 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Re-assessment Essay (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to:
* describe, analyse and discuss the use of structural biology data in a wide range of biotechnology and medical settings;
* evaluate the impact of state-of-the-art structural biology techniques on biotechnology and medicine;
* demonstrate presentations and discussion skills on these topics.


Aims: To explore the advantages and limitations of using structural biology data in biotechnology and medicine.

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

Content: The use of structural biology data in addressing biotechnological and medical applications. Topics include: protein interactions with nucleic acids, carbohydrates and other proteins, signal transduction, enzyme catalysis, immune system molecules, structural neurobiology, bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens, structural genomics, protein engineering, de novo protein design, time-resolved crystallography, structure-based drug design, protein folding and misfolding.

Course availability:

SL40130 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) (Year 4)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 5)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) with Professional Placement (Year 5)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) (Year 4)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 5)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Professional Placement (Year 5)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) (Year 4)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 5)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) with Professional Placement (Year 5)

SL40130 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Life Sciences
  • USSL-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Biochemistry (Year 3)
  • USSL-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Biochemistry with Professional Placement (Year 4)
  • USSL-AFM01 : MBiochem(Hons) Biochemistry (Year 3)
  • USSL-AKM01 : MBiochem(Hons) Biochemistry with Professional Placement (Year 4)

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.