Molecular Recognition - BIO00078H
Module summary
The interaction of biomacromolecules is fundamental to many biochemical processes. This module will explore the basis of biomolecular recognition, focusing on how proteins interact with nucleic acids, other proteins, carbohydrates and membranes, placing these in context of biological functions. Core concepts in biomolecular association will be addressed, ranging from thermodynamic and kinetic descriptions of interactions to the role of 3D structure in recognition. Across the module, these fundamental principles will be discussed in the context of a variety of biological systems. A strong emphasis will be placed on the experimental approaches used to investigate biomolecular interactions and recognition.
Module will run
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Semester 2 2024-25 |
Module aims
The module introduces the fundamental aspects of molecular
recognition with focus on the molecular mechanisms, how biomolecules
interact in living systems and how these processes can be
quantitatively characterised.
The module will comprise lectures
that provide basic introductions to core concepts and experimental
techniques, and workshops that examine case studies from different
aspects of molecular biology taken from current literature.
Module learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this module will be able to:
Demonstrate understanding of the basic structural features of protein-target complexes, the role that solvent plays in recognition, and how conformational changes, modularity, symmetry, intrinsic disorder and structural plasticity can influence binding affinity and specificity.
Appreciate the importance of integrating structural, kinetic, thermodynamic, high-throughput and bioinformatics approaches to obtain a holistic view of biomolecular recognition mechanisms in a target system.
Describe common biochemical and biophysical techniques for the study of molecular recognition in vitro and in vivo, interpret data obtained using these techniques, and design experimental strategies using an appropriate combination of these techniques.
Explain, using specific examples, the structural basis of sequence-specific and sequence-independent DNA and RNA recognition by different protein superfamilies.
Examine and evaluate experimental design, data and conclusions in primary literature studies of mechanisms of molecular recognition.
Indicative assessment
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) | 100.0 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) | 100.0 |
Module feedback
Marks for all summative assessments will be made available to you and
your supervisor via e:vision. Feedback will be either individual or
cohort-level, depending on the assessment format. You should take the
opportunity to discuss your marks and feedback with your
supervisor.
For exam-style summative assessment, model
answers will be provided for all questions along with cohort-level
feedback indicating how students answered questions in general. Marks
achieved per question will be added to your script.
For
coursework assessments (eg. reports or essays) you will receive
individual feedback on your work. This will usually be in the form of
a feedback sheet that will include suggestions for further
improvement.
During the teaching of the module you will
receive formative feedback that may be at a whole class or individual
level. Such feedback may include: model answers and discussion of
workshop questions, summaries of performance in practicals, VLE-based
quizzes, individual spoken comments during workshops, individual
written comments on formative work.
Indicative reading
These are available through the VLE module site.