Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This unit is designed to give you the essential concepts and techniques driving research and industrial biotechnology so that you will be equipped for multiple careers in the biological sciences. The skills you develop will allow you to enter a practical laboratory environment or to apply your knowledge in related areas of evaluations of technologies and intellectual property.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide you with an appreciation of protein structure and function, and how proteins can be engineered, with a special emphasis on biopharmaceutical design and manufacture.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Understand how protein structure relates to its function.

2. Be familiar with the molecular biology used to re-engineer proteins and allow their large scale expression and purification.

3. Have insight into how biopharmaceuticals and other biotechnology products are refined and tested for quality control.

4. Gain advanced level laboratory and practical skills in protein science and further develop scientific communication skills.

Content

The unit covers the following topics:
· The three dimensional structure of proteins and how this relates to function.
· Chemical and physical approaches to understanding and protein structure.
· Computer aided protein design.
· Techniques to mutate protein sequences.
· Artificial protein synthesis.
· Recombinant protein techniques.
· Expression of recombinant proteins in bacteria, yeast, insect and mammalian cell systems.
· Purification strategies for recombinant proteins.
· Biopharmaceutical manufacture.
· Introduction to quality control and regulation in the biopharmaceutical industry.
· Further training in biochemical laboratory procedures.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will be taught using a combination of traditional lectures (13 x 2 hours), laboratory-based classes (6 x 3 hours) and workshops focussing on computational biology (6 x 3 hours).

Assessment

A variety of assessments will be used to allow you to perform in a number of different formats and environments. A mixture of formative and summative assessment will enable you to gauge your progress during the unit, and to develop your skills in areas where you particularly feel you need extra assistance.Formative feedback is through questions posed as part of the practical assessment. The practical classes follow lecture material closely to reinforce the strategies that are discussed, and you are provided with experienced demonstrators to assess and guide your development. Each practical exercise concludes with a set of questions that are reviewed the next week by practical demonstrators. Hence, you will receive immediate feedback on your performance to assist your learning in both biochemical knowledge and laboratory practice.

Assessment name: Quiz/Test
Description: Written theory; multiple choice questions.
Relates to objectives: 1 and 2.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: Lab-based questions and practical class write up.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weekly

Assessment name: Case Study
Description: Poster.
You will be given a protein structure sourced from the RSCB databank (a web based repository of protein structures) and are required to produce a poster containing an explanation of the protein's role in living systems, how it might be engineered to perform an enhanced function and a putative mutation to achieve this end.
Relates to objectives: 1 and 2.
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 9

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Final examination (theory).
Relates to objectives: 1,2 and 3.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Texts
1. Nelson, DL and Cox, MM (2008) Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry 5th edition. W.H. Freeman ISBN 978-0-7167-7108-1 (note: Material from this text is freely available on-line).
2. Branden & Tooze 'Introduction to Protein Structure' 2nd Edition Garland Press 1999.
3. Creighton 'Proteins: Structure and Molecular Properties' Freeman 1993 edition.

Personal Protective Equipment
1. Laboratory coat - 100% cotton or polyester/cotton mix (65% polyester in maximum allowable).
2. Safety eye protection glasses - selected and used in accordance with AS1336, AS1337 and AS1338.

Risk assessment statement

This unit includes a laboratory component. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You are required to complete an online health and safety quiz prior to entry to the laboratory. A passing score of 9/10 is required and will be checked prior to entry to the first laboratory. You may resit the quiz until this score is achieved. You are referred to the university's health and safety web site for further information.

If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the lecturer in charge of the unit, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 08-Oct-2012