Graduate Courses » 90627
90627 - Special Topics in Biochemistry - The Life Cycle of Proteins
Semester: Fall
Proteins are the workhorses of the cell, carrying out most cellular functions. Defects in protein synthesis, folding, stability, binding, transport and/or degradation underlie numerous human diseases, including cystic fibrosis, cataracts, sickle cell anemia, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases, and many forms of cancer. Moreover, proteins are used as tools by pathogenic organisms, and play crucial roles in viral invasion and bacterial colonization of human tissue.
This course will discuss our current understanding of the life cycle of
proteins, from initial folding events through transport to other cellular
compartments, structure maintenance, interactions with small molecules and other biomolecules, protein misfolding and aggregation, and protein
degradation. A particular emphasis will be placed on human diseases caused by defects in the life cycle of proteins. The course will cover topics related to molecular biophysics, structural biology, metabolism, drug design, and signal transduction, with readings from the primary research and review literature and some textbook excerpts.
Prerequisites for this class include a foundation in general biochemistry,
particularly protein structure and function.
