Chemistry 372/672
Biochemistry: Protein & Nucleic Acid Structure & Function
Fall 2007 MWF 11 am
207 Salem Hall
Advanced biochemistry with emphasis on structural families and how chemical and physical properties dictate structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids; catalytic mechanisms of enzymes and ribozymes; molecular basis of disease and drug action.
Instructor: Dr. Rebecca Alexander
Office: 108 Salem Hall (758-5568)
email:
Class web site: http://blackboard.wfu.edu/
Office hours: I have no defined office hours for this course. Feel free to stop by my office or lab any time; if I can’t give you enough time we can schedule an appointment. Please come see me if you are having trouble. If you have a disability that may require an accommodation for taking this course, please contact the Learning Assistance Center (758-5929) within the first two weeks of the semester.
Text: The text is “Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry” (Fourth edition) by Nelson & Cox, with additional primary literature (journal articles) assigned as appropriate. You may also benefit by purchasing “The Absolute, Ultimate Guide to Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry” by Osgood.
Attendance/ Academic integrity: Class attendance is required. Although lectures are posted prior to class, success really does correlate with attendance. All students are responsible for knowing and observing the Wake Forest University honor system.
Grading: There will be three in-class exams and a cumulative final. You will also give a presentation on a topic related to a current literature article. More details will follow.
Midterm 1 100 pts (20%)
Midterm 2 100 pts (20%)
Paper 50 pts (10%)
Paper critique 25 pts (5 %)
Class presentation 50 pts (10%)
Discussion participation 25 pts (5 %)
Homework & quizzes 25 pts (5 %)
Final exam (cumulative) 125 pts (25%)
Total 500 points
Tentative schedule of lectures
Date / Lecture / Title / LehningerAugust / 29 / W / 1 / Review / 1-23 J
31 / F / 2 / Structure databases, online tools
September / 3 / M / 3 / Amino acid metabolism / 18
5 / W / 3 / Amino acid metabolism / 18
7 / F / 4 / Amino acid biosynthesis / 22
10 / M / 5 / Nucleotide metabolism / 22
12 / W / 5 / Nucleotide metabolism; Database assignment due / 22
14 / F / 6 / Chromosome structure and epigenetics / 24
17 / M / 7 / DNA binding proteins / 28
19 / W / 8 / DNA replication / 25
21 / F / 9 / DNA damage and repair / 25
24 / M / Transcription and RNA structure review / 26
26 / W / RNA processing / 26
28 / F / EXAM I
October / 1 / M / Ribozymes and riboswitches / 26
3 / W / Ribosome structure / 27
5 / F / Translation / 27
8 / M / Translation / 27
10 / W / Expansion of the genetic code
12 / F / Protein degradation
15 / M / Translational accuracy / 28
17 / W / Gene regulation
19 / F / Fall Break!
22 / M / Medicinal chemistry overview
24 / W / Drug targets
26 / F / Pharmaceutical considerations
29 / M / Regulation and the FDA
31 / W / EXAM 2
November / 1 / F / No class
5 / M
7 / W
9 / F / Biochemistry of cancer
12 / M / Biochemistry of cancer
14 / W / Drugs against cancer
16 / F / Biochemistry of HIV
19 / M / Drugs against HIV
21 / W / Thanksgiving Holiday
23 / F / Thanksgiving Holiday
26 / M / Student presentations
28 / W / Student presentations
30 / F / Student presentations
December / 3 / M / Student presentations
5 / W / Student presentations
7 / F / Review
15 / S / Final Exam (cumulative); 2:00 p.m. Alternate TBA