Many applications in modern chemistry and biochemistry depend on the ability to make, change and analyse proteins and enzymes. After completion of the course students will be familiar with all of the steps required for the production of proteins in bacteria and various techniques of analysis. This includes techniques for making, modifying, and analysing proteins.  There is an emphasis on biophysical techniques (SDS-PAGE, light-scattering, CD spectroscopy, ultracentrifugation, mass spectrometry, ITC, fluorescence, surface plasmon resonance), discussing their physical basis in depth. Advanced analysis techniques (X-ray crystallography, NMR, EM, SAXS/SANS) are discussed only superficially.  Introduction to bioinformatics: protein sequence alignment, 3D structure analysis, modelling.

After successful completion of the course students will have:

1. Understanding of the necessary elements of protein overexpression systems in bacteria,
2. Capability to design all the steps required to produce an expression system for a new protein,
3. Capability to make and purify proteins,
4. Understanding of techniques for modifying proteins,
5. Experience with basic techniques for protein analysis,
6. Understanding of advanced biophysical techniques for protein analysis, including the capacity to discuss their relative merits and interpret data from those techniques,
7. Familiarity with software for protein visualization, sequence alignment and modelling. 

50% by written exam, 50% by weekly assessments of practicals and tutorials (10 in total, 5% each). Students have to pass the exam to pass the course.

The course comprises 26 lectures (1 hour each), 6 practicals (3 hours each) and 8 tutorial/quiz sessions (1 hour each).

Practicals are 3-4 hours each. Each practical requires about 1 hour of preparation and 1 hour of reporting. Assessments require independent reading for about 1 hour per contact hour. 

Prerequisites: CHEM1101, CHEM1201 and BIOL1004.

Assumed knowledge: completion of CHEM1101 and CHEM1201 or the equivalent of first year university chemistry; and BIOL1004.

Required skills: essential laboratory skills (pipetting, weighing, pH measurement)

Recommended: BIOL2171 

Selected chapters from Biochemistry by Voet & Voet