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BIOCHEM YEAR 2 RASMOL WEB PAGES (CARDIFF ACCESS ONLY)
New techniques in proteomics and genomics are changing our approach to biochemical discovery . This lecture provides an overview of DNA arrays, comparative 2D protein gel electrophoresis and protein finger-printing by mass spectrometry. Coupling these high-throughput screen techniques with bioinformatics provides todays scientists with novel tools to address questions in biomedical and environmental biology. The trouble with DNA is that it is BIG !! Not physically but with the number of bases in the human genome being 2,800,000,000 determining the sequence they appear in is extremely difficult. Molecular biologist cut DNA down into managible fragments using restriction enzymes, however, this leaves them with the problem of piecing these fragments together again to build up the original gene map. This workshop is a hands on problem solving course aimed at drawing and solving restriction mapping problems. Fresh water organisms are at special risk from pollution within their ecosystems. Here we consider how they respond to metal exposure at a biochemical level comparing species of fish known to be "metal sensitive" with "metal tolerant" species. This lecture is designed not to give the answer to a problem but to show the process of scientific investigation on a real life problem. METALS IN BIOLOGY 1This set of slides gives a general overview of the essential biological processes involving metal ions listing some of the diseases that occur with metal overload or deficiency. The lecture then goes on to deal with the biochemical processes involved in metal regulation focusing mainly on metal chaperones and Cu ATPases. This lecture deals with the role metal ions play in defining the structure of some proteins involved in gene regluation with special refernece to role played in transcription factors regulating metal caperone syntheis. Further to this the unique role played by zinc in the dimerisation and DNA binding in the zinc finger family of transcription factors is also discussed. Metalloenzymes catalyse essential reactions within the cell. This lecture deals with their role in non-redox reactions, such as Carbonic anhydrase, as well as their involvement at the centre of redox chemistry within the cell. A practical class for second year Hons Biochemistry students designed to run on one day a week over four consecutive weeks. This practical class introduced the basic techniques used in gene cloning including plasmid preparation, restriction digestion, ligation and transformation. In addition it also deals with screen transformants by insertion inactivation and functional gene expression. Finally students are expected to express the recombinant protein and calculate it's specific activity. The students aim to use the results to map the location of an alginate lyase gene on a 23 Kb fragment of the Klebsiella pneumonie. To download a word version of the practical manual click of the appropriate button on the left of the screen or the title of this section. N.B. this practical has been adapted by that developed by Prof. P. Gacesa (1983). This is an introductory lecturer set designed for preclinical dental students. It covers how protein structure and function is generated from the consituent of amino acids. Collagen structure is used to illustrate the relationship between structure and function in a connective tissue protein whilst the serine protease family is included as an example of an enzyme superfamily. Finally the kenetic and thermodynamics of enzymes and inhibitors are discussed as the basis for the activity of specific inhibitory compounds such as flouride. To support these lecturers many interactive modelling pages are avialible to allow students to visualise protein structure in 3D.
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