II. Macromolecules Core (students choose two or more)
BIOC/CHEM/BIOS 932 Proteins (Fall, first 8 weeks of the semester)
BIOC/ CHEM/BIOS 933: Enzymes (Fall, second 8 weeks of the semester)
BIOC/CHEM/BIOS 932 Proteins: Proteins is a practical examination of principles and methods of analysis for protein structure and function in vitro and in a cellular context. Review articles and primary literature provide the information content, which is reinforced on a practical level by in-class discussion and examination of a variety of protein structures using the programs COOT and Chimera, as well as problem sets requiring data analysis and interpretation. The course also introduces new students to critical primary literature evaluation as their first line of continuing education in a professional scientific career.
BIOC/ CHEM/BIOS 933: Enzymes: Enzymes presents fundamental principles in enzyme mechanism, steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetics, and combines textbook instruction with hands-on use of the shared core stopped flow instrument to collect and interpret raw data.
BIOC 934: Genome Dynamics and Gene Expression
This course is based in primary literature supplemented by review articles to examine central dogma, replication, gene expression, epigenetics, and molecular genetics. Assessment emphasizes verbal discussion and debate, and a final position paper on a pertinent topic of choice, as well as a traditional examination. Students also cultivate skills in literature evaluation and written and oral persuasion.
BIOC 836: Physical Basis of Macromolecular Function.
This course introduces the theory and practice of biophysical characterization of macromolecules. It is based on primary research literature and covers the thermodynamics of protein folding and ligand binding, macromolecular energetics, absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, and macromolecular hydrodynamics. Students learn how to apply quantitative approaches to their study of systems in vitro and in a cellular context, and how to analyze and interpret data using these specialized methodologies.
BIOC/CHEM 848: Redox Biochemistry
This course examines redox (oxidation and reduction)-based biochemical processes (energy generation, oxygen transfer, enzyme catalysis, signaling, gene regulation, and diseases), focusing on recent progress in these areas. The role of metals in biochemical reactions, metal homeostasis, and biosynthesis of metal cofactors and metal sites are specific topics of interest. The biochemistry and pathophysiology of redoxactive species and radicals in medicine and disease are explored. Antioxidant molecules and enzymes that detoxify reactive oxygen species are also studied in detail.