Proteins-workforce of life-E2
| Numbering Code | U-LAS14 20068 LE68 | Year/Term | 2022 ・ First semester | |
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| Number of Credits | 2 | Course Type | Lecture | |
| Target Year | Mainly 1st & 2nd year students | Target Student | For science students | |
| Language | English | Day/Period | Mon.2 | |
| Instructor name | CABANOS，Cerrone Salamat (Graduate School of Agriculture Associate Professor) | |||
| Outline and Purpose of the Course |
Purpose This course will introduce the wonderful world of proteins. Proteins are a type of organic macromolecule that are fundamental building blocks of life. While you hear a lot about proteins in daily living-like in ads for protein shakes and protein powders-there are a few misconceptions about why proteins are important and how they work. The many proteins manufactured by our cells perform a broad range of essential functions-the molecular workforce of living organisms. Proteins catalyze metabolic reactions, replicate DNA, respond to stimuli, provide movement, and much more. Here, we will explore how proteins are constructed, fold into three-dimensional shapes, the kinds of bonds that hold these folded structures together, and the immense range of roles that proteins assume-from structural proteins found in muscle to catalysts for cellular chemical reactions. We will also explore how proteins are purified and characterized in order to understand their structure and function. |
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| Course Goals |
1. Gain a deeper understanding of proteins and structural biology. 2. Appreciate the important range of roles of the proteins perfom in our body. 3. Be familiar with the tools in studying, characterizing and determining 3D structure of proteins. |
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| Schedule and Contents |
The following topics will be covered during the 14 weeks of the semester. Week 15 is an exam session and feedback class is given at week 16. Main topics 1. Review of basic cell biology 2. Introduction to proteins and amino acids and their vital role in the cell 3. Levels of protein structure and forces that hold proteins into their three-dimensional functional form 4. Protein synthesis in the cell and their post-translational modifications 5. Protein translocation, sorting into different organelles and degradation 6. Proteins as catalysts for cellular processes 7. Nature of proteins embedded in cell membranes and their role in signal transduction 8. Role of proteins in innate and adaptive immune response 9. DNA cloning and recombinant expression and mass production of proteins 10. Purification and overview of techniques for analyzing proteins 11. Select methods for characterizing proteins and its function 12. Protein design and engineering 13. Tools in determining protein three-dimensional structure |
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| Evaluation Methods and Policy | Grading: Class attendance and active participation (20%), assignment and quizzes (30%), and final exam (50%). | |||
| Course Requirements | English proficiency sufficient for understanding lectures, reading articles and texts, and participating in class discussions. A knowledge of high school biology and chemistry is also required. | |||
| Study outside of Class (preparation and review) | Students should read or listen to the required pre-class materials and submit any required assignment before the class, and come to class ready to participate in class activities. | |||
| Textbooks | Textbooks/References | Introduced during class | ||
| References, etc. | Handouts and supplemental readings will be distributed electronically and/or as a hard copy in class | |||
