Analytical Biochemistry

Catalog description

Physical/chemical theory and techniques that emphasize purification and characterization of biological macromolecules, including proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. B M B 474 Analytical Biochemistry (3)This three-credit course deals with acquiring knowledge of laboratory skills required for success in experimental biochemistry and molecular biology. It is particularly suited for students intending a career as a research scientist in the areas of biochemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering, microbiology, or molecular biology. Course content focuses on the detection, purification and identification of biological macromolecules such as practice of separation science with emphasis on diffusion, gel permeation chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, sedimentation velocity ultracentrifugation, sedimentation equilibrium ultracentrifugation, density gradient ultracentrifugation, agarose gel electrophoresis, SDS gel electrophoresis, isoelectrofocusing, membrane filtration and dialysis (including Donan equilibrium), ligand binding, high performance gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and immunological methods of macromolecules. The second unit includes the theory and practice of biological spectroscopy with emphasis on visible, infrared, circular dichroism, optical rotary dispersion, Raman, resonance Raman, nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance, Mossbauer, surface plasmon resonance, electron-nuclear double resonance, and electron spin echo spectroscopy of macromolecules. The lectures are designed to introduce a particular topic, to derive relevant equations, to supplement reading material with practical examples, and to clarify points in assigned problem sets. Two guest lectures by experts in the field will provide up-to-date information on mass spectroscopy and Mossbauer spectroscopy, and two site-visits, one to the mass spectrometry core facility and the other to the magnetic resonance core facility, will provide hands-on experience. Problem sets are not collected or graded; rather, answers are handed out in the following class period. This method provides the ability to collaborate with others on solving problems and to self-check work.