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 analysing proteins. There is an emphasis on biophysical techniques to characterise 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 crystallography, 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.
Note: This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.
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.
- Integrate elements of peptide and protein structure and function.
- Analyze techniques for modifying proteins.
- Apply biophysical techniques for protein analysis, including evaluating their relative merits and analyzing data from those techniques.
- Utilize software for protein visualization, sequence alignment and modelling.
Other Information
A pass in the prescribed laboratory work is required in order to gain a pass in this course.
Indicative Assessment
- Mid semester exam (32) [LO 1,3,4,5]
- Laboratory and workshop based practicals (7 in total, 5% each). (35) [LO 2,4,5,6]
- Final exam (33) [LO 1,3,4,5]
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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 2 x 1 hour lectures and 1 x 1 tutorial per week; and 7 x 4 hour practicals across the semester.
- Approximately 66 hours of self directed study which will include preparation for lectures, practicals and other assessment tasks.
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Selected chapters from 'Biochemistry' by Voet & Voet, 4th edition
Preliminary Reading
Selected readings will be provided by individual lecturers
Assumed Knowledge
This course requires first year (1000 level) knowledge of chemistry and biochemistry i.e. equivalent to the ANU courses CHEM1201 and BIOL1004 plus, introductory second year training in biological chemistry i.e. equivalent to CHEM2211.
Second year (2000 level) training in synthetic chemistry and biological chemistry/biochemistry is strongly recommended i.e. equivalent to the ANU courses BIOL2171/6171 and CHEM2202.
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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8636 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |