521-321 Advanced Techniques in General Biochemistry

Note:

1. This subject may involve the limited use of animals in experiments.

2. Special requirements: Students must advise the Department of Biochemistry of their order of preference for the three alternative practical sessions (Monday 11-6, Wednesday 11-6, Friday 11-6) and the other subjects they will be taking. This should be done in person, or by telephone (344 5903) or by letter, during the second last week of the long vacation. Before arranging practical work in other subjects, students must confirm that the arrangement will allow them to be accommodated in a Biochemistry session. Allocation of students to each practical session will be posted in the Department by noon on the Friday preceding the start of Semester One.

Credit Points:

When taken from Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science:

12.0

When taken from Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture:

8

Coordinator:

Prerequisite/s:

Timetable:

Contact:

Objectives:

By the end of the program the student should have:

• extended their training in the basic skills of experimental design, laboratory-based experimental techniques, data analyses and data interpretation;

• applied these skills to a number of biochemical and biotechnological investigations which illustrate the effectiveness of specific advanced techniques, particularly in the area of protein purification and recombinant protein expression;

• developed an appreciation of the basic principles of computer-based storage and analyses of biochemical data.

Content:

Experiments dealing with: theory and practice of protein purification and other techniques appropriate to the handling and analysis of proteins; expression and purification of recombinant proteins; applications of radiotracer technology; organelle isolation and the use of organelles in the study of metabolism; introduction to data analysis by computers.

Assessment:

Prescribed Texts:

• Segel I. H., Biochemical Calculations, 2nd ed., Wiley.