BI3BR7: Structural Proteomics

Module code: BI3BR7

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 10

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Kimberly Watson, email: k.a.watson@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE BI2BL5 (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module will build upon the foundations of 3-dimensional protein structure and how “function follows form”, laid in the Protein Structure Function module (BI2BL5). Without doubt, Structural “omics” efforts have had an enormous impact on structural databases, but importantly, these efforts equally have had huge technological impact that has altered the way structural biologists and protein biochemists work. The role that Structural Proteomics has played in the first part of the 21st century is equivalent to that played by the Human Genome project in the last part of the 20th century. This module will provide an historical and up-to-date overview of the Structural Proteomics field and its impact on Life Science research.

The module aims:

1. To gain fundamental and detailed knowledge of the field of Structural Proteomics for Life Science research
2. To gain an appreciation for the technological advances developed and used in Structural Proteomics research
3. To understand the principles of modern biophysical and bioanalytical techniques to unravel protein structure and function
4. To develop an understanding of the importance of multidisciplinary approaches used to elucidate molecular details of protein structure and function
5. To gain experience of using computational tools and Web servers to investigate protein structure and function of an unknown protein
6. To gain an appreciation of how to unravel detailed molecular mechanisms using integrated Structural Proteomics techniques

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Describe the impact of Structural Proteomics on macromolecular databases
2. Outline the advances in high throughput technologies arising from Structural Proteomics and describe their impact on life science research
3. Explain the importance of target selection strategies and describe the role of bioinformatics and biochemical methods to guide target selection
4. Discuss protein engineering approaches for protein structure-function research and outline methods for separation and identification of protein targets
5. Explain the principles of various biophysical methods (for example, X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, Mass spectrometry, Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy, Small Angle X-ray Scattering, cryo- Electron Microscopy) to elucidate molecular details of protein structure and function
6. Using examples, discuss the impact of Structural Proteomics on drug design

Module content

Teaching will be through a series of 14 lectures with 2 supporting practicals. The lectures will provide a detailed overview of the field of Structural Proteomics for Life Science research and provide a theoretical overview of the various biophysical methods to elucidate the molecular details of protein structure and function. 

The practicals will be computer based and provide experience of using computational tools and Web servers to investigate protein structure and function of an unknown protein. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

• Most weeks will include two ~45-minute lectures. 
• Two computer based practical classes. 

Study hours

At least 25 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs