| CODE | BIO5120 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Selected Topics in Theoretical and Applied Biochemistry | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Biology | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit is designed to equip students with a theoretical and practical knowledge on the latest biochemical techniques. The topics to be covered will include the following: - An introduction to biochemistry. Biochemical reactions that are important in the synthesis of metabolites; - Traditional extraction methods – a discussion of solvents, dialysis, precipitation, partitioning, etc pertaining to various classes of compounds eg. proteins, lipids, carbohydrates; - Biochemical analysis. Different chromatography techniques. LC- and GC- MS, chemical databases; - Modern methods of screening, extraction, purification & analysis versus a more traditional approach. This will include an overview of the most recent literature; - The extraction and analysis of nucleic acids; - The use microbial cells, genetic engineering and molecular biology techniques in the production of enzymes and antimicrobial compounds, amongst others; - The extraction and analysis of phytochemicals. Study-unit Aims: The main aims of this study-unit include: - A discussion of relevant biochemical reactions involved in the synthesis of metabolites that are applied to industry; - An appreciation of different methods used for the traditional extraction, purification & identification of natural products; - A discussion of modern methods used in the discovery of metabolites. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - describe important biochemical reactions; - appreciate metabolic reactions that result in the formation of important metabolites; - describe and select appropriate chemical analytical techniques that are used in the analysis and identification of metabolites; - recognise that various biochemical processes in living cells can be manipulated in biotechnology for industrial application; - acknowledge that modern techniques of metabolite discovery also rely on the fields of genetics and bioinformatics. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - understand important biochemical reactions, especially those involved in the synthesis of metabolites that can be manipulated via biotechnology and scaled up in industry; - critically appraise results from published literature about the different approaches related to the extraction of different compounds; - select appropriate methods for the extraction, purification, analysis and identification of natural products. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Berg, J. M., Tymoczko, J. L., Gatto, G. J. and Stryer, L. (2015) Biochemistry. 8th edition. London, Palgrave Macmillan. - Nelson, D. L. and Cox, M. M. (2017) Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. 7th edition. W H Freeman. Various journals and articles published recently in peer -reviewed journals that are available via the university library, including: Nature methods; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Biotechnology; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Reviews Microbiology; Nature Publishing Group. Supplementary Readings: - Barnum, S. R. (2006) Biotechnology, An Introduction. (2nd Edition),Thompson, Brooks & Cole, UK. - Bowsher, C., Steer, M. and Tobin, A. (2008) Plant Biochemistry, Garland Science. - Perez Gutierrez, R. M. (2006) Handbook of Naturally Occurring Compounds with Antioxidant Activity in Plants, Nova Science Publishers Inc., New York. - Renneberg, R. and Demain, A. L. (Ed) (2008) Biotechnology for Beginners, Elsevier, Amsterdam. - Seidman, L.A. and Moore, C.J. (2nd Edition) (2009) Basic Laboratory Methods for Biotechnology Pearsons Benjamin Cummings, USA. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study and Practical | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Byron Baron Rosalin Bonetta Joseph Buhagiar Godwin Sammut Gabrielle Zammit |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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