610-332 Bio-organic Chemistry

At least one of the following: chemistry 610-220, chemistry 610-221 or 25 points of 200-level biochemistry subjects.

Upon completion of 610-332, students should have developed an understanding of the structure and stereochemistry of steroidal systems, the principal modes of biosynthesis operating in living organisms, the organic chemistry that underpins the pathways of primary metabolism, the chemistry of two major biological polymers (proteins and carbohydrates), and modern methods of chemical biology. Students should also develop interdisciplinary skills and an understanding of the philosophical methodological bases of research activity.

Students should also appreciate the importance of rational, critical and independent thought in chemical and biological science and in the understanding of organic chemistry.

The subject will cover the following topics. Natural products (12 lectures): the conception, establishment and application of biosynthetic theories as they apply to steroids, polyketides, terpenoids and alkaloids; Metabolism (12 lectures): a mechanistic, chemical and stereochemical treatment of primary metabolism; Vitamins (for example, thiamine, pantothenic acid, lipoic acid) and their role as components of co-enzymes in metabolism; Biological polymers and chemical biology (12 lectures): peptide and protein chemistry; chemoselective ligations in chemical biology; carbohydrate structure and synthesis; and biological information storage.

Written assignments not exceeding six pages due during the semester (10%); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (90%).

• J McMurry, Organic Chemistry. 5th edn, Brooks/Cole 1999.