New Protein Biology Course

BIOL 4803/8803 Special Topics – Protein Biology

GOAL: Emphasis is on the protein “life” from “birth” (biosynthesis) to “death” (degradation), including protein assembly disorders. Special attention will be paid to the cellular control and biological consequences of these processes and phenomena. This course will cover and integrate genetic, cell biological, biochemical and proteomic approaches to studying proteins, and will explain protein functions and protein-based pathologies within the broad biological framework. Will satisfy requirements for the Biomolecular Technology certificate. Graduate students taking this course will make presentations on review and/or research papers in the field.

OVERVIEW Biological view of proteins, including: protein biosynthesis, processing, folding, trafficking, interactions, degradation, evolution, stress response, intracellular assemblies, amyloid and prion diseases, protein-based inheritance, protein engineering.

TARGETED AUDIENCE Biology majors (juniors and seniors), as well as some students majoring in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, or Biomedical Endineering, who atre interested in more in-depth knowledge of biological (rather than only chemical) aspects of proteins. Course will count as Biology Elective and will satisfy requirements for the Biomolecular Technology certificate. Will be co-taught with the graduate course (BIOL 8803) having the same title.

FORMAT Course will meet for 3 hrs per week and will be composed of lectures (60%), seminars (30%), and discussion (10%). Seminars, covering current review and/or research papers, will be presented by graduate students, but attended by undergraduate students as well. Undergraduate students will ask questions and participate in discussion.

EVALUATION Undergrad version. Exams (covering both lecture and seminar materials) – 75%, attendance and in-class participation – 25%. Grad version: Exams (covering both lecture and seminar materials) – 50%, seminar presentations – 25%, attendance and in-class participation – 25%.

COURSE OUTLINE
Instructor - Professor Yury O. Chernoff.

Recommended textbook - Lodish et al. Molecular Cell Biology, 6th edition (W. H. Freeman & Co), supplemented by review and research papers in the field).

Prerequisits – BIOL 1510 or 1511, or equivalent.

Topics covered.

1. Genes and proteins
2. Methods of protein analysis
3. Protein biosynthesis
4. Protein processing and splicing
5. Protein folding
6. Chaperones and stress response
7. Protein trafficking
8. Analysis of protein-protein interactions
9. Evolution of proteins and proteomes
10. Protein degradation
11. Assembly of intracellular structures
12. Amyloids and neural inclusion diseases
13. Prions
14. Protein-based inheritance
15. Protein engineering and protein-based biomaterials