BIC-30803 Advanced Methods in Biochemical Research

Course

Credits 3.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

BIC-20306

Continuation courses:

Thesis Biochemistry

Contents:

The student will be introduced into some of the advanced research methods that are employed in modern biochemistry, especially with respect to unravelling protein interactions, protein folding and biosensors in vivo (in the cell) and in vitro. Interactions of proteins with other cellular components are pivotal in unravelling signal transduction pathways, regulatory processes and other biochemical processes in cells, tissues and whole organisms. Such pathways control a variety of processes in cell functioning, developmental regulation, regulation of digestive routes, etc. Deviations in these pathways may result in diseases (digestive diseases, cancer).
Central in this course are techniques applied to identify conformational changes of proteins. In vitro experiments will be employed to unravel the stability of labelled protein by using steady state and time resolved spectroscopy, but also single molecule experiments like fluorescence correlation spectroscopy are performed. Protein complexes involved in regulatory or signal transduction pathways are isolated by affinity methods and the proteins in those complexes are identified by mass spectroscopy. In silico docking methods are applied to predict how proteins in a complex might interact.

Learning outcomes:

Introduction in advanced spectroscopic methods for studying cellular biochemistry.

Activities:

Performing experiments, analyzing results, comparing results with publications on the subject and writing a report.

Examination:

Based on performance during the course and the written report.

Literature:

Supplied during the course.