Structural Biology for the Life Sciences

Catalog description

This team-taught course offers a survey of structural biology methods and applications used in modern life sciences research. Topics include navigating the Protein Data Bank, introductions to the major macromolecular structure determination methods of cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography, practical structural bioinformatics, and how to critically assess structural information. The course is geared toward graduate students in the life sciences and does not require previous experience/knowledge of any of the methods to be covered. Anticipating a diverse audience, the course begins with an introduction to protein structure to help students gain the necessary foundation for the rest of the course. The course will include traditional lectures, but will also incorporate discussions and student presentations, as a goal of the course is for students to learn how to read and present papers. Teamwork will be emphasized, as this is an essential skill for working in a research laboratory. A laptop is required for in-class data analysis. Graded on A-F basis only. Credit Hour s : 3 Recommended: Graduate Standing; BIOCHM 4270 or equivalent