Analytical Techniques in Biochemistry
Module title | Analytical Techniques in Biochemistry |
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Module code | BIO2090 |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
Credits | 15 |
Module staff | Dr Alison Hill (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 11 | 0 | 0 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 80 |
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Module description
The distinctive features of this module are that you will learn about the ‘state of the art’ techniques that are used to look at the structure and properties of proteins and their complexes. You will gain ‘hands on’ experience in data handling and writing of scientific practical reports. This will be invaluable to you for carrying out a practical project in your final year and if you wish to continue with postgraduate studies such as a Masters or PhD. The module will also be a route to interdisciplinary studies since a general understanding of the chemistry involved in protein mechanism and the physical principles behind some methods of analysis will be acquired as part of this module.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module will introduce you to the main experimental techniques used in the purification and characterisation of biological macromolecules, with the main emphasis on protein methodologies. It will provide you with important skills of analysis of experimental data and scientific report writing. It will involve research-enriched learning in the area of protein structural and biochemical analysis, and it will provide important skills required for any future laboratory-based employment opportunities.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Explain the principles of the bio-analytical techniques covered and have an awareness of the applications of these techniques in biochemical research
- 2. Understand selected techniques to purify proteins and analyse the success of their purification
- 3. Characterise various properties of the purified proteins molecular weight, enzymatic activity
- 4. Interpret experimental data obtained using the techniques above
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Describe and evaluate approaches to our understanding of biochemistry with reference to primary literature, reviews and research articles
- 6. Describe in some detail essential facts and theory across a subdiscipline of the biosciences
- 7. Identify critical questions from the literature and synthesise research-informed examples from the literature into written work
- 8. With some guidance, deploy established techniques of analysis, practical investigation and enquiry within the biosciences
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. Communicate ideas, principles and theories fluently by written, oral and visual means in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
- 10. Develop, with some guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with valid conclusions
- 11. Collect and interpret appropriate data and complete research-like tasks, drawing on a range of sources, with limited guidance
- 12. Work in a small team and deal proficiently with the issues that teamwork requires (i.e. communication, motivation, decision-making, awareness, responsibility, and management skills, including setting and working to deadlines)
Syllabus plan
The focus of the module is on methods of experimentation. Topics covered will include:
pH and buffers, centrifugation methods (differential, gradient, equilibrium), electrophoresis methods (SDS, native, isoelectric focusing, immunoelectrophoresis and 2D gel analysis), protein estimation, protein sequencing, protein purification methods (ion-exchange, gel filtration, affinity chromatography), protein characterisation, centrifugation methods (preparative and analytical), UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, immunological methods, Cryo-EM (including an introduction to AlphaFold) and HPLC/GC.
There will be one workshop that covers analysis of data from mass spectrometry.
Accessibility Statement:
As part of this course you will undertake three laboratory sessions in GP101/GP108 two of which are 6 hours duration, and one of 3 hours. These sessions will be undertaken in groups, and the 6-hour lab sessions have been designed to allow for each member of the group to take an extended (30 minute) break for lunch. The sessions can accommodate students who require more frequent breaks for health reasons. Please contact the module coordinator if you require any particular support.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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41 | 109 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 15 | Lectures |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 15 | Laboratory practicals |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 6 | Workshops |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 5 | Q&A sessions (4 x 1 hr) and revision tutorial (1 hr) |
Guided Independent Study | 45 | Lecture consolidation and associated reading |
Guided Independent Study | 3 | Pre-lab preparation |
Guided Independent Study | 20 | Web-based activities and data handling |
Guided Independent Study | 41 | Coursework and exam revision |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Guided practical write-up session | 2 x 1 hour | 4, 5, 8-12 | Oral |
Web-based activity on ELE | 6 x 1 hour, 2 x 2 hours | 4, 11 | Written |
Lecturer feedback through Padlet | Ad hoc | 1-7, 9 | Written (Padlet) |
Lecturer feedback during in-person sessions | Ad hoc | 1-7, 9 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Examination (data handling and short answer essay) | 50 | 3 hours | 1-7, 9-10 | Written via tutor |
Laboratory report | 35 | 2500 words | 4-5, 8-12 | Written |
Workshop report | 15 | 500 words | 1, 4-6, 9-10 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
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Examination | Examination (50%) | 1-7, 9-10 | August Ref/Def |
Laboratory report | Laboratory report (35%) | 4-5, 8-12 | August Ref/Def |
Workshop report | Problem sheet (15%) | Not applicable | August Ref/Def |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral - if you have failed the module (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Boyer R.F. (2012) Biochemistry Laboratory, Modern Theory and Techniques, Pearson, Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company Inc.
- Ramesh V. (editor) (2019) Biomolecular and Bioanalytical Techniques: Theory, Methodology and Applications, Wiley ISBN 978-1-119-48396-0.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Credit value | 15 |
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Module ECTS | 7.5 |
Module pre-requisites | BIO1332 Biochemistry or NSC1003 Foundations in Natural Science |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 5 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 01/02/2013 |
Last revision date | 16/11/2023 |