Modern chemistry and biochemistry depends on the ability to make, change and analyse proteins and enzymes. This course focuses on the three-dimensional structures of proteins. It includes (I) the prediction of 3D structures by bioinformatic tools, (II) their analysis by X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and other techniques (e.g. chemical cross-linking and mass-spectrometry), (III) protein design, (IV) protein dynamics and folding and (V) structure-based drug discovery. The physical basis of the techniques will be discussed in depth. Wherever possible quantitative examples will be given – students will be expected to solve numerical problems. After completion of the course students will be able to view 3D structures of proteins, deduce properties from their structures and make structure-function predictions for mutants. The practicals associated with the course practice all of the steps required for the production of mutant proteins in E. coli in vivo and provide hands-on experience with bioinformatics tools and spectroscopic techniques of analysis.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
1) Capability to make mutant gene constructs, (LO-1)
2) Capability to express proteins in vivo, (LO2)
3) Capability to purify proteins from E. coli, (LO3)
4) Ability to analyse proteins with spectroscopic analysis. (LO4)
5) Detailed understanding of X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy for 3D structure determination of proteins, (LO5)
6) Understanding of structure-activity and dynamics-activity relationships of proteins, (LO6)
7) Ability to use bioinformatics tools for the prediction of protein properties. (LO7)
8) Capability to solve numerical problems associated with each course component. (LO8)
Indicative Assessment
50% by written exam, (LO 4,5,6 & 8)
50% by weekly assessments of practicals and tutorials (10 in total, 5% each). (LO 1- LO8)
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Workload
65 hours of lectures/tutorials/laboratory plus a further 65 hours of independent learning.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Recommended: Voet & Voet, Biochemistry (4th Ed.). How Proteins Work. M.P. Williamson.
Majors
Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and 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). You can find your student contribution amount for each course 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 | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $1572 | |
| 2014 | $2946 | |
| 2013 | $2808 | |
| 2012 | $2808 | |
| 2011 | $2808 | |
| 2010 | $2778 | |
| 2009 | $2778 | |
| 2008 | $2778 | |
| 2007 | $2400 | |
| 2006 | $2400 | |
| 2005 | $2190 | |
| 2004 | $1836 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $3234 |
| 2014 | $3726 |
| 2013 | $3582 |
| 2012 | $3582 |
| 2011 | $3582 |
| 2010 | $3576 |
| 2009 | $3450 |
| 2008 | $3450 |
| 2007 | $3450 |
| 2006 | $3450 |
| 2005 | $3288 |
| 2004 | $3288 |
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.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4516 | 17 Feb 2014 | 07 Mar 2014 | 31 Mar 2014 | 30 May 2014 | In Person | N/A |