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Horizons of Biochemical Research

Module description

Biochemistry, the study of chemical processes in biological systems, is a broad discipline, encompassing biological aspects of chemistry, study of biological macromolecules, and the many ways in which chemicals are synthesised and degraded in organisms. This module seeks to engage you with recent research in diverse areas of biochemistry, giving an insight into the progress that has been made, the range of areas being explored, and the challenges for the next generation of scientists. You will actively engage with the literature across a series of six distinct areas of biochemistry, gaining a broad understanding of the current state of the art.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The frontiers of biochemistry are being continually pushed forward, with new methodologies and research expanding our understanding of the biological chemistry of the cell. Recent research has revolutionised our knowledge of key areas of biochemistry. This module will introduce you to important areas of current research across a range of biochemical areas. You will engage critically with the methods used and the scientific literature to gain a rounded understanding of the limits of current research, and how these have been reached experimentally.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Critically evaluate the methods used in studying enzyme mechanisms
• 2. Discuss how metabolic pathways are investigated
• 3. Synthesise knowledge of the molecular basis for catalysis of a range of enzymes
• 4. Explain how enzymes evolve, and how they can be rationally re-designed

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Evaluate in detail approaches to our understanding of biochemistry with reference to primary literature, reviews and research articles
• 6. Analyse in detail essential facts and theory in a subdiscipline of the biosciences
• 7. Analyse and evaluate independently a range of research-informed literature and synthesise research-informed examples from the literature into written work

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 8. Communicate effectively arguments, evidence and conclusions using written and oral means in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
• 9. Devise and sustain, with little guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with sound, convincing conclusions
• 10. Analyse and evaluate appropriate data with very limited guidance
• 11. 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 contents of the module will be selected from the following subject areas:

• Tools for investigating biochemical mechanisms;
• carbohydrate enzymes;
• halogens in biological molecules;
• evolution of enzyme function;
• DNA structure and protein-DNA complexes;
• RNA structure, RNA enzymes and protein synthesis;
• site directed mutagenesis and enzyme directed evolution;
• metals in proteins, copper, molybdenum and tungsten enzymes;
• investigation of biosynthetic pathways; polysaccharides in health and disease.

For the student-led journal clubs you will work in a small group (normally three per group) to analyse, evaluate and present a primary publication journal article to the class. The presentation will be followed by questions and discussion involving the whole class. Articles will be chosen by the lecturers. Your group will have two weeks to research and prepare your journal club, during which time you will meet and receive guidance from one of the lecturers associated with the module. Your journal club presentation will be assessed by both a group mark and an individual mark, with equal weighting given to each.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The presentation assessment is not deferrable as it is a group exercise. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral 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 overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Voet D and Voet JG (2011) Biochemistry, 4th Ed., John Wiley and Sons, ISBN 0-470-57095-4
• Berg JM, Tymoczko JL and Stryer L (2011) Biochemistry, 7^th Ed., Freeman, ISBN 1-429-27635-5
• Garrett RH and Grisham CM (2009) Biochemistry, 4^th Ed., Brooks and Cole, ISBN 0-495-79078-8

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE page: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3182

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

• Journal reviews and research articles will be made available.

Key words search

Protein, enzyme, RNA, DNA, catalysis, mechanism, biochemistry, evolution, metalloenzyme, pathway, carbohydrate, polysaccharide