Instructor: Dr. J. Pang

Office: JE 323

Phone: 392-6272

e-mail: pang@scsu.ctstateu.edu

Prerequisites: CHE 450-451

Text: Biochemistry, 5^th edition, Berg, Tymoczko and Stryer, Freeman (2002).

Course Description:

The goal of this course is to link the identification and characterization of cellular components with their roles in cellular and organism functions. The course is intended for graduate students with either:
1.    a background in introductory biochemistry / pharmacology who want to learn more about cellular components and their biological significance, for example, transport, receptor, and responsiveness to extracellular signals, or

2.    a background in cell biology, genetics, physiology, or molecular biology who want to learn more about the specific types of biomolecules and their detailed structures that provide cellular functions.
Further topics include: (1) thermodynamics and (2) recent advances in techniques of modern biochemistry and molecular biology.

Course Objectives:

1.    Comprehension of the structure and function of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, and the general metabolism of biological compounds. Understanding the major topics in biochemistry with chemical rigor.

2.    A good grasp of up-to-date information of modern biochemistry, particularly regarding human health and disease.
Understanding recent advances in techniques of modern biochemistry and molecular biology.

• Lectures
• Case analysis using the knowledge gained in this course. Cases include clinical ones and research papers from peer reviewed journals.
• Term paper and class presentation
• Class discussion

 
Week Topic

1 Course Intro and Protein Structure and Function

2 Enzymes: Concepts and Functions

3 Techniques in Protein Chemistry

4 Nucleic Acids: DNA, RNA and Protein Synthesis

5 Techniques in Molecular Biology

6 MIDTERM EXAM

7 Membrane Structure and Function

8 Receptors and Signal Transduction

9 and 10 Protein Folding, Design and Targeting

11 Thermodynamics and Biochemical Energetics: ATP

and D G

COPIES OF PAPER FOR PRSENTATION ARE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL CLASS MEMBERS

12 Paper Presentation and Class Discussion

13 Paper Presentation and Class Discussion, Review  and Course Evaluation

TERM PAPER DUE

14 FINAL EXAM
 
 

Paper Presentation and Term Paper:

Students are required to select a paper from a peer reviewed journal and critically analyze the research. The selected paper should be published within the past three years and should not be a review paper. Students will present the paper and lead class discussion. Students will also have to write a paper to analyze in detail hypothesis of the experiments, methods used, validity of the conclusions and future work they propose to do.
 
 

Course Evaluation:

Homework Assignments                    20%

Midterm Examination                         20%

Paper Presentation                              15%

Term Paper                                         15%

Participation in Class Discussion       10%

Final Examination                               20%

                                                        ---------

                                                        100%

Bibliography:

Books:

Berg, Tymoczko and Stryer (2002) Biochemistry, 5^th ed., W.H. Freeman and Co. (WCSU, CCSU, #)

Mathews, C.K. & van Holde, K.E. (1990) Biochemistry, the Benjamin/Cummings

Publishing Company (CCSU, #)

Campbell, M.K. (1995) Biochemistry, 2^nd ed., Saunders College Publishing (#)

Boyer R. (1998) Concepts in Biochemistry, ITP Publishing Company (#)

Karp G. (2002) Cell and Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons (#)

Journals:

Biochemistry (#)

Journal of Biological Chemistry (#)

Nature (#)

Science (#)

Trends in Biochemical Sciences (TIBS) (#)