Rapid advances in plant and animal biochemistry over recent years have fundamentally changed fields of science ranging from medicine to agriculture and food security. This course will present these recent advances exploring both the specifics and commonalities that exist in biochemistry when comparing animal and plant systems. The animal stream will cover topics such as cancer metabolism and the metabolism of foreign agents (xenobiotics), molecular mechanisms related to drug development and ion channel function and aspects of translational medicine.   In the plant stream, topics to be covered include plant disease, CO2 fixation, photosynthesis and climate change. Lectures will be presented from experts from both the John Curtin School of Medial Research and the Research School of Biology. This course offers an excellent opportunity for students looking to understand how biochemistry impacts everyday life expand their biochemistry across a platform of diverse and important disciplines.

Postgraduate LOs

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. appreciate the background science related to plant and animal biochemistry that will drive future biotechnological developments.

 2. comprehend the processes involved in plant-pathogen interactions (i.e. biochemical evolution of photosynthesis, the specific signaling and metabolic processes) that will shape future advances

3. have an understanding of the role that molecules play in a numbers of disease states and the therapies used to combat these disorders. This will enable candidate to have an informed view of current issues driving medical therapies.

4. critically review and research scientific literature and be able to canvas ideas and opinions on a particular research topic.

Postgraduate assessment will be based on:

• Tutorial assessment (20%; LO1, 2 and 3)
• Oral assessment and assignment (30% LO1, 4)
• Final exam (50% LO1, 2 and 3)

3 hours lectures, 1hour tutorials per week

Bachelor degree with second year biochemistry and first year chemistry or equivalent

Standard IT and library access