Many applications in modern chemistry and biochemistry depend on the ability to make, change and analyze proteins. After completion of the course, students will be familiar with all of the steps required for the production of proteins in bacteria, protein structural features and techniques for making, modifying (including the site-specific introduction of non-natural amino acids), and analyzing proteins. There is an emphasis on biophysical techniques to characterize biomolecules (e.g., SDS-PAGE, light scattering, circular dichroism spectroscopy, ultracentrifugation, mass spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance), including discussion of their physical basis. Advanced structural analysis techniques (X-ray crystallograhy, NMR spectroscopy, electron microscopy, solution scattering) are also discussed. An introduction to bioinformatics, i.e. protein sequence alignment, 3D structure analysis and modelling is also included.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand the necessary elements of protein over-expression systems in bacteria,
- Make and purify proteins,
- Understand elements of peptide and protein structure and function,
- Understand techniques for modifying proteins,
- Demonstrate familiarity with basic techniques for protein analysis,
- Understand advanced biophysical techniques for protein analysis, including the capacity to discuss their relative merits and interpret data from those techniques,
- Demonstrate familiarity with software for protein visualization, sequence alignment and modelling.
Indicative Assessment
- Laboratory and workshop based practicals (7 in total, 5% each). (35) [LO 2,4,5,7]
- Mid-semester exam and final exam (each worth 32.5%) (65) [LO 1,3,4,6]
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Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 3 x 1 hour lectures and 1 x 1 tutorial per week; and 7 x 3-4 hour practicals across the semester.
- Approximately 73 hours of self directed study which will include preparation for lectures, practicals and other assessment tasks.
Inherent Requirements
To be determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Selected chapters from 'Biochemistry' by Voet & Voet, 4th edition
Preliminary Reading
Selected readings will be provided by individual lecturers
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $6180 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6001 | 24 Jul 2023 | 31 Jul 2023 | 31 Aug 2023 | 27 Oct 2023 | In Person | View |