Understanding enzyme structure and function is essential in many important drug design projects. This course focuses on common methods used to investigate enzyme active sites to elucidate binding interactions between small molecules and enzymes. Students use 3D protein viewing software to design and model modifications to an enzyme active site, then perform those modifications using recombinant DNA technology and site-directed mutagenesis. This course also introduces other commonly used methods to assay active-site metals, characterize inhibitors, over-express and purify proteins, and use UV spectroscopy to analyze enzyme activity. This is an investigative course in which students perform collaborative research projects in small groups. Fulfills the upper-level laboratory requirement for the generic biology major and the biochemistry track; intended for students who have no other courses that fulfill these requirements. Prerequisites: Bio2970; Limit 12.
Course Attributes: FA NSM; BU SCI; AR NSM; AS NSM
