772108 Fundamentals of biochemistry

Type
Lecture
Semester hours
3
Lecturer (assistant)
Organisation
Offered in
Wintersemester 2022/23
Languages of instruction
Deutsch
Content

Amino acids, peptide bond;
Proteins, protein structure (folding, denaturation/renaturation), protein function (example oxygen transport, proteolytic enzymes);
Protein biosynthesis, targeting within the cell, post-translational modifications;
Enzymes: function, mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis, activity determination, regulatory mechanisms;

Cytoskeleton (actin, microtubules), muscle (myosin, contraction);

Vitamins and their function in metabolism;

Monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides and their function in metabolism;

Biological membranes: structure (phospholipids, membrane proteins, cholesterol);
Transport through membranes, basics of signal transmission at membranes (neurotransmitters, hormones);

Effect of toxins, apoptosis;

Immunology: Overview of cellular and humoral components of the (innate and acquired) immune system;
Basic functions of the immune system (innate immune response, complement system, acquired humoral and cellular immune response);
Vaccinations;
Allergies;

Bio- or protein chemical working methods:
Chromatography (separation principles and biochemical application examples of size exclusion/gel filtration, ion exchange, partition and adsorption chromatography);

Electrophoresis: separation principles and biochemical application examples of denaturing and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, 2-dimensional SDS page, electrotransfer and Western blot;

Characterisation of primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary protein structures (amino acid analysis, chemical and mass spectrometric methods for peptide/protein sequencing, spectroscopic methods);
Previous knowledge expected

Basic analytical, inorganic and organic chemistry, some basics of genetics and molecular biology.
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

The students know the structure and the function of proteins, polysaccharides and (phospho)lipids. The action of enzymes is well known and kinetics and enzym activity can be calculated. Based on the theoretical knowledge of the most important techniques in a biochemical laboratory, the students are well prepared for the practical lab course (purification and analysis of biomolecules). Basics of immunology are known and can be applied to daily life.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.