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Analytical Techniques in Biochemistry

Module description

The distinctive features of this module are that you will learn about the ‘state of the art’ techniques that are used to look at the structure and properties of proteins and their complexes. You will gain ‘hands on’ experience in data handling and writing of scientific practical reports. This will be invaluable to you for carrying out a practical project in your final year and if you wish to continue with postgraduate studies such as a Masters or PhD. The module will also be a route to interdisciplinary studies since a general understanding of the chemistry involved in protein mechanism and the physical principles behind some methods of analysis will be acquired as part of this module.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module will introduce you to the main experimental techniques used in the purification and characterisation of biological macromolecules, with the main emphasis on protein methodologies. It will provide you with important skills of analysis of experimental data and scientific report writing. It will involve research-enriched learning in the area of protein structural and biochemical analysis, and it will provide important skills required for any future laboratory-based employment opportunities.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Explain the principles of the bio-analytical techniques covered and have an awareness of the applications of these techniques in biochemical research
• 2. Understand selected techniques to purify proteins and analyse the success of their purification
• 3. Characterise various properties of the purified proteins – molecular weight, enzymatic activity
• 4. Interpret experimental data obtained using the techniques above

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Demonstrate competency in reading and interpreting scientific literature, and in the synthesis of research-informed examples from the literature into written work
• 6. Deploy established techniques of quantitative data analysis, practical investigation and enquiry

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Communicate ideas, principles and theories fluently by written, oral and visual means in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
• 8. Develop a logical and reasoned argument with valid conclusions
• 9. Collect and interpret appropriate data and complete research-like tasks, drawing on a range of sources, with limited guidance
• 10. Work in a small team and deal proficiently with the issues that teamwork requires (i.e. communication, motivation, decision-making, awareness, responsibility, and management skills, including setting and working to deadlines)

Syllabus plan

The focus of the module is on methods of experimentation. Topics covered will include:
pH and buffers, centrifugation methods (differential, gradient, equilibrium), electrophoresis methods (SDS, native, isoelectric focusing, immunoelectrophoresis and 2D gel analysis), protein estimation, protein sequencing, protein purification methods (ion-exchange, gel filtration, affinity chromatography), protein characterisation, , UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, immunological methods, Cryo-EM (including an introduction to AlphaFold) and HPLC/GC.

There will be one workshop that covers analysis of data from mass spectrometry.

Accessibility Statement:
As part of this course you will undertake three laboratory sessions in GP101/GP108 two of which are 6 hours duration, and one of 3 hours. These sessions will be undertaken in groups, and the 6-hour lab sessions have been designed to allow for each member of the group to take an extended (30 minute) break for lunch. The sessions can accommodate students who require more frequent breaks for health reasons. Please contact the module coordinator if you require any particular support.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral - if you have failed the module (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Boyer R.F. (2012) Biochemistry Laboratory, Modern Theory and Techniques, Pearson, Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company Inc.
• Ramesh V. (editor) (2019) Biomolecular and Bioanalytical Techniques: Theory, Methodology and Applications, Wiley ISBN 978-1-119-48396-0.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• Module-specific ELE page - https://ele.exeter.ac.uk/

Key words search

Macromolecules, proteins, separation techniques, electrophoresis, chromatography, centrifugation, fluorescence spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, immunology, HPLC, GC, UV-Vis spectroscopy, cryo-EM