Courses

Prerequisites:

BIOCH 310, 320 and 330, or BIOCH 203 and 205 all with a minimum grade of B-, or consent of the Department

Notes:

1. Lectures are the same as for BIOCH 410, but with additional assignments and evaluation appropriate to graduate studies
2. This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in BIOCH 410

Protein chemistry and purification. The intra- and intermolecular forces that determine protein structure. Principles of protein folding and dynamics. Enzyme mechanisms and ligand binding interactions.

Prerequisites:

BIOCH 320, or BIOCH 203 and 205
all with a minimum grade of B- or consent of Department

Notes:

1. Lectures are the same as for BIOCH 420, but with additional assignments and evaluation appropriate to graduate studies
2. This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in BIOCH 420

The organization and expression at the molecular level of information encoded in the nucleic acids of eukaryotic cells. The focus will be on genome structure and the regulation of gene expression at the levels of transcription, post-transcriptional processing, translation, post-translational modification and protein sorting. Recombinant DNA technologies and genetic engineering will be discussed as methods for studying the cellular processing of genetic information.

Prerequisites :

BIOCH 320 and 330, or BIOCH 203 and 205
all with a minimum grade of B- or consent of Department

Notes:

1. Lectures are the same as for BIOCH 430, but with additional assignments and evaluation appropriate to graduate studies
2. This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in BIOCH 430

Survey of the structure and function of biological membranes. Topics include the structure, properties and composition of biomembranes, characterization and structural principles of membrane lipids and proteins, lateral and transverse asymmetry, dynamics, lipid-protein interactions, membrane enzymology, permeability, and biogenesis.

Prerequisites:

BIOCH 320, or BIOCH 203 and 205
all with a minimum grade of B- or consent of Department

Notes:

1. Lectures are the same as for BIOCH 441, but with additional assignments and evaluation appropriate to graduate studies
2. This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in BIOCH 441

Survey of biophysical methods used in the characterization and structural determination of biological macromolecules, from ensemble measurements to single-molecule detection. Topics include mass spectrometry, optical spectroscopy, light microscopy, X-ray and neutron diffraction, electron microscopy, molecular dynamics and nuclear magnetic resonance. Emphasis is on using techniques in evaluating structure-function relationships through the discussion of representative macromolecular systems.

Prerequisites :

BIOCH 320 with a minimum grade of B- or consent of the Department
This course cannot be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in BIOCH 460

Coordinator :

Dr. H. Young

Principles of X-ray crystallography as applied to the study of protein and nucleic acid structure. Practical aspects of diffraction and structure solution are demonstrated by a collaborative study of a suitable small molecule of biological interest. Designed for senior honors and graduate students.

Prerequisite :

consent of Instructor

Notes :

1. Maximum enrolment of 10 students
2. Offered in alternate years

Directed reading and seminar course, based on papers taken from recent literature of protein research. Students critically discuss the papers and give oral presentations to the class. Designed for graduate students.

Prerequisite :

BIOCH 420 or equivalent, or consent of Department

This course is a journal club and discussion group in which current research topics on nucleic acids are discussed. Specific talks range from biochemistry, genetics and microbiology to nuclear biology and clinical aspects.

Seminar course for advanced students. Detailed consideration is given to recent advances in research on protein structure and function and mechanism of enzyme action.

Prerequisite :

BIOCH 420 or consent of Department

Directed reading and seminar course, based on papers taken from the recent literature of molecular biology. Students critically discuss the papers and give oral presentations.

Prerequisite :

BIOCH 530 and consent of the Department

Note :

1. designed for graduate students; offered yearly

Seminar course for advanced students covering selected topics from the current literature in the field of membrane structure and function.

Prerequisite :

BIOCH 441 or consent of Department

Directed reading and seminar course on the structure and function of biological membranes. Topics include membrane biogenesis, bioenergetics, transport and structural aspects of membrane lipids and proteins.

Prerequisite :

BIOCH 441 or consent of the Department

This course will enhance skills for graduate students beyond graduate
school to prepare them for employment situations. Each session will be presented as a
seminar by one or two invited speakers, followed by a round-table discussion.
Assignments will need to be prepared either before coming to the session or during the
session. Audits and drop-ins welcome.

Note :

Seminar course for advanced students focused on recent advances in research into mechanisms of protein folding and disease states caused by protein misfolding, including prion diseases.

Prerequisite :

BIOCH 520 or consent of Department

A seminar course on topics of current interest in biochemistry. Students will contribute to a presentation based on recent developments published in first rate journals. Attendance at all seminars is expected.

Note :

A seminar course on topics of current interest in biochemistry. Students will contribute a presentation on their research project that includes original data. Attendance at all seminars is expected.
Prerequisite:

BIOCH 670 or consent of the Department

Note :

Designed for advanced honors and graduate students interested in the application of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to biological systems. Topics include quantum mechanical basis of NMR, multinuclear multidimensional NMR experiments, NMR relaxation theory, new NMR applications.
Prerequisite:

Consent of Instructor.

Note :

1. Offered in alternate years.