Biochemistry 115

11:115:110 Experiments with Green Fluorescent Protein (3) An introduction to protein biochemistry and protein purification using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a teaching tool.

11:115:201 Contemporary Issues in Biochemistry (2) Topics to be covered in this course include the role of biochemistry in stem cell research; genetically modified microorganisms, plants, and animals; drug development; and disease progression. Students will be introduced to these topics by directed reading from current literature, interactive lectures, and class discussion. In addition, some amount of class time will be devoted to introducing students to laboratory research to prepare them to be productive participants in the laboratory. Students will be expected to be active participants in the class discussions, and will also be required to submit short essays on the selected topics throughout the semester.

11:115:296 Honors Seminar (3) The topic for each semester addresses current issues from the perspectives of the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Open only to honors students (SEBS Honors Program, SAS Honors Program, and Honors College) or by permission of instructor. 

11:115:301 Introductory Biochemistry (3) The chemistry and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and other biologically important compounds. Prerequisites: 01:160:209 or 307-308 or 315-316.

11:115:313 Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory (1) Techniques used in research, clinical, and food laboratories, including tests of biological materials, methods of separations, and determinations of enzyme activities. Lab. 3 hrs. Pre- or corequisite: 11:115:301 or 403.

11:115:321 Ethics in Biochemical Research (3) Exploration of ethical issues in biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology including recombinant DNA technology, genetically modified organisms, stem cell research, scientific patents, and DNA databases. Prerequisites: 01:119:115-116,117 (formerly 01:119:101-102).

11:115:403,404 General Biochemistry (4,3) A comprehensive survey of the chemistry and metabolism of biological compounds, including proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, and nucleic acids. Enzyme kinetics, bioenergetics, organelles, and cellular organization. Expression and processing of biological information, including DNA replication; transcription into RNA; translation into protein, regulation, and recombinant DNA techniques. A detailed computer laboratory study of structural biology, including protein and nucleic acid three-dimensional structures and the interactions between these and ligands. Prerequisites: 01:160:307-308 or 315-316 with grades of C or better.

11:115:406 Problem Solving in Biochemistry (2)   Modern instrumentation and analytical techniques used in biochemistry research. Observation of experiments followed by discussion of techniques and problems. Rec. 1 hr., lab. 1.5 hrs.

11:115:412 Protein and Enzyme Chemistry (3) Assay and purification of enzymes and other proteins. Chemical modification, site-directed mutagenesis, and enzyme kinetics as tools in understanding structure-function relationships and enzyme mechanisms. Mechanisms of selected enzymes. Prerequisites: 11:115:403 and 413, or equivalents.

11:115:413,414 Experimental Biochemistry (3,3)   Isolation, characterization, and quantitative determination of biological compounds. Spectrophotometric and titrimetric analyses; chromatography and gel electrophoresis; high performance liquid chromatography. Isolation and characterization of enzymes, nucleic acids, and lipids. Graphing and statistical treatment using computers. Lec. 1 hr. (for 413), 55-min. (for 414), lab. 4.5 hrs (for both 413 and 414). Corequisites: 11:115:403,404. Recommended: 01:447:380.

11:115:421 Biochemistry of Cancer (3) DNA damage/repair mechanisms; oncogenes/tumor suppressor genes; signaling pathways; apoptosis/cell death; the cell cycle; metastasis-cell, cell contact, and protease activation; tumor growth and angiogenesis; genetic events; genetic polymorphisms; chemical carcinogenesis; chemotherapeutic targeting. Prerequisites: 11:115:403-404.

11:115:422 Biochemical Mechanisms of Toxicology (3) General principles and mechanisms of biochemical toxicology, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Examples of metabolism of industrial compounds, organic agrichemicals, and carcinogens. Prerequisites: 01:119:115-116,117 (formerly 01:119:101-102), 01:160:307-308 or 315-316. Pre- or corequisites: 11:115:403,404 or equivalent. Recommended: 01:146:356 or equivalent.

11:115:428 Homology Modeling of Proteins (3) Computer construction of models of the three-dimensional structure of proteins, based on known structures of proteins with related sequences. Interpretation and prediction of function based on the modeled structure. Prerequisite: 11:115:403.

11:115:433 Special Topics in Biochemistry (1) Self-paced computer tutorials in structural biochemistry; designed to supplement courses in molecular biosciences. Prerequisite: 11:115:403.

11:115:434 Molecular Toxicology (1.5) Principles and methodologies of toxicology, at the organismal and molecular levels. One 80-min. lec. Prerequisites: A course in biochemistry, a course in toxicology, laboratory experience.

11:115:436 Molecular Toxicology Laboratory (3)   Techniques currently applied in public and private toxicology laboratories. One 80-min. pre-lab., one 3-hr. lab. 

11:115:452 Biochemical Separations (3) Basic theory and practice of separating biological molecules. Chromatography, centrifugation, electrophoresis, ultrafiltration, and general methods of extracting and purifying proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and other biological molecules. Prerequisites: 11:115:301 or 403, 11:115:313 or 413.

11:115:491,492 Seminar: Biochemistry Communication (3,3) Practice in techniques for oral presentation of scientific reports and reviews, based on search of research literature in biochemistry and, where applicable, the student's own research results. Pre- or corequisites: 11:115:403,404. Open only to senior biochemistry majors.

11:115:493,494 Research Problems in Biochemistry (BA,BA) Research projects under the guidance of faculty members. Prerequisite: Permission of department.

11:115:495,496 Seminar: Biochemistry and Society (1,1) Impacts of biochemical advances on society, and vice versa. Social context of major discoveries in biochemistry. Applications of biochemistry: patents, patent law, patent litigation. Student oral presentations and online discussions. Pre- or corequisite: 11:115:403-404. Open only to senior biochemistry majors.