BIOL2591: Biomolecules - Structure and Function

• Level 1 Molecules and Cells (BIOL1281)

• At least one other Level 2 Biosciences module

• None

• To explore relationships between biomolecular structure and function to an intermediate level of knowledge

• Analysis of biomolecular structures (proteins and nucleic acids) to understand relationships between structure and biological function.
• Mechanistic analysis of the six types of enzyme catalysed reactions, including the role of common cofactors.
• Mechanistic and quantitative analysis of enzyme inhibition and regulation.
• Protein-nucleic acid interactions in non-covalent complexes.
• Enzyme catalysis and replication, repair, transcription, translation, including quality control mechanisms.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Knowledge of how biomolecular structure underlies the functional properties of different proteins and nucleic acids.
• Knowledge of how enzyme catalysis works at a chemical level, and how it may be regulated within cells.
• Knowledge of the contribution of enzymes to the maintenance and decoding of genetic information
• Knowledge of the chemical basis for the stability of specific interactions between different biomolecules important in biological processes (for example, protein-ligand and protein-DNA complexes).

Subject-specific Skills:

• Interpretation and manipulation of protein and nucleic acid structure representations.
• Analysis of chemical steps in enzyme-catalysed reactions and mechanisms of inhibition of enzyme activity.
• Quantitative analysis of thermodynamics and kinetics of enzyme-catalysed reactions and biomolecular interactions.
• Understanding of experimental methods used to study biomolecular structure and function, including practical work in enzyme assays.

Key Skills:

• Numeracy, in data analysis and calculations.
• Communication skills, using the written word and graphics.
• IT skills, in using structure visualisation software tools and databases of biomolecule structures.
• Team work in practical activities.
• Self-motivation, in self-guided learning.

• Lectures deliver subject-specific knowledge.
• Workshops reinforce subject-specific knowledge and understanding gained from lectures and the development of key and subject-specific skills.
• Practical Exercises allow students to utilise subject-specific knowledge gained from lectures, and support the development of key and subject-specific skills.
• Tutorials give enhancement of the student learning experience, supporting attainment of all learning outcomes.
• Self-guided learning contributes to subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation.
• Practical Exercises are based on subject-specific knowledge and demonstrate subject-specific skills in understanding experimental work and data analysis.

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