NWNR300902 Bioorganic chemistry

Type
Lecture
Semester hours
2
Lecturer (assistant)
Zamyatina, Alla
Organisation
Organic Chemistry
Offered in
Sommersemester 2027
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

The lecture integrates bioorganic chemistry with fundamental biological research, biotechnology, and chemical biology, providing interdisciplinary knowledge and skills at the interface between chemistry and the life sciences. It conveys how biomolecular structures, molecular interactions, and biological functions can be understood and how their significance for fundamental research and biotechnological applications can be recognized.

Bioorganic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids.
Structure and biological function of DNA and RNA; nucleobases, nucleosides and nucleotides; higher-order organisation of nucleic acids. Molecular recognition of DNA and RNA by proteins and small molecules. Chemical modification of nucleic acids and their use as molecular tools. Selected applications of nucleic acids in biotechnology and biomedical research.

Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins.
Structure and function of amino acids, peptides and proteins. Protein folding, molecular recognition and receptor-ligand interactions. Enzymes, cofactors and enzyme inhibitors. Principles of enzyme catalysis, vitamins as precursors of essential enzyme cofactors, illustrated by selected biologically relevant examples. Peptides and proteins as signalling molecules, research tools and therapeutic agents. Selected approaches for the modification and functional analysis of proteins. Molecular interactions between proteins and small molecules in biological systems.

Lipids, Membranes and Cellular Signalling.
Structure and function of biological lipids and membranes. Glycerolipids, sphingolipids and glycolipids. Lipid-protein interactions, lipids as signalling molecules and regulators of cellular processes. Relevance of membrane and lipid biology for biotechnology, cell biology and biomedical research.

Carbohydrates, Glycans and Glycoconjugates.
Structure and biological functions of carbohydrates and glycans. Glycoproteins, proteoglycans and glycolipids. Molecular recognition by carbohydrate-binding proteins, lectins and multivalent interactions. The glycocalyx and its role in cell recognition and communication. Glycans in host-pathogen interactions, immune processes and disease. Selected approaches for studying glycans and glycoconjugates.

Molecular Recognition and Bioorganic Principles in Biological Systems.
Non-covalent interactions and molecular recognition as central principles of biological function. Protein-ligand, protein-protein and biomolecule-surface interactions. Relationship between molecular structure and biological activity. Small molecules and modified biomolecules as tools for investigating biological processes. Selected concepts from chemical biology are introduced where they contribute to the understanding of biomolecular function and biotechnological applications.

Applications in Biotechnology and Life Sciences.
Application of bioorganic concepts to biological and biotechnological questions. Molecular tools for studying cellular processes, biomolecular interactions and signalling pathways. Examples from biotechnology, drug discovery, molecular medicine and fundamental biological research.
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Previous knowledge expected

The course is designed for Master students with a basic background in organic chemistry and biochemistry. It is particularly suited to students who wish to deepen their understanding of the molecular basis of biological processes and their applications in biotechnology.
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

The course provides an introduction to the bioorganic chemistry of the major classes of biomolecules and their roles in biological systems.
After completing the course, students will be able to relate molecular structure to biological function, explain key principles of molecular recognition and biomolecular interactions, and understand the roles of nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and glycans in cellular processes.
Students will also gain insight into how bioorganic concepts and molecular tools are applied in biotechnology, fundamental research and biomedical sciences. Particular emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary thinking at the interface of chemistry, biology and biotechnology.
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You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.