CHM1054: Topics in Bio-organic Chemistry


Time: Mondays, 1:30-3:30 pm  (This may change if there are conflicts)
Room: DBZ section - Sidney Smith 621,   JS section -  CC2110 (UTM)


Instructors:       Professor Deborah B. Zamble    dzamble@chem.utoronto.ca
                               
Professor Jumi Shin             jshin@utm.utoronto.ca


Announcements: 
• 
The next class will be March 19th, out at UTM.  The best shuttle is probably the one that leaves at 2:10 (2:05 in the exam week).  Class will start around 3.
•  The papers are posted for the second half of the class.
•  You should have discussed an abstract with Deborah or Jumi by the end of March.  The proposals are due May 2nd.



Readings



Topics:

(DBZ): Analysis of biomolecular interactions and their reaction mechanisms.
  1. The ribosome - RNA interactions and amide bond formation.
  2. Non-ribosomal and polyketide synthases - multi-subunit interactions and applications.
  3. Detecting protein-protein interactions - yeast 2-hybrid methods
  4. Engineering protein-DNA interactions - zinc fingers
(JS)
    1.  De Novo Protein Design 
        a.  Helical structures
        b.  Zinc fingers, beta-sheet structures, amyloids, prions
    2.  Protein Evolution
        a.  In vitro and in vivo methods
        b.  Selection assays, library construction
        c.  Rational vs. nonrational design


Reading: Items will be posted on the course web site, cited as library material, or distributed in advance in class.   You will be expected to read the papers before the lecture and be familiar with the content.
Recommended texts for background in the major topics:
"Structure and Mechanism in Protein Science",  A. Fersht, Freeeman, 1999.
"Biochemistry," Volume 1, second edition, D. Metzler, Academic Press, 2001, or any other introductory biochemistry text.

Marking Scheme: As a core course, the emphasis will be on the application of principles and methods.

                            Research proposal    30%
                            Class participation     10%
                            Mini-presentations     10%
                            Final exam                  50%

Schedule:  DBZ will cover from Jan. 8 through Feb. 26, JS will cover March 5 to April 9.  The date of the exam will be scheduled during the semester.