LSC-30016 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

Advances in biotechnology, biology and biomedicine, and their impact on the quality of life, the economy, medicine and health care increasingly depend on the application of structural biology which provides detailed three-dimensional structural information at the atomic level of the proteins which are central to all life processes. While structural biology includes a variety of different techniques such as crystallography and electron microscopy, this module concentrates on the outcomes of these techniques rather than the techniques themselves, with in-depth analysis of how proteins, enzymes and viruses recognise and bind their targets, and how detailed structural information is used to intervene in or enhance these processes. An important aspect of health and well being in all forms of life is the ability to prevent, resist, fight and recover from infection and disease, and much of the module concentrates on how an increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved provides a unique opportunity for the design of potential diagnostic and therapeutic agents and strategies.

The aims of this module are to show how our knowledge and understanding of biological function and the molecular basis of disease are enhanced and underpinned by detailed structural information and to develop skills in the evaluation of published scientific literature.

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe and critically discuss examples of the contribution of structural information to our understanding of the molecular basis of disease: 2
describe and critically discuss the importance and uses of structural information in the detailed investigation of some or all of enzyme function, DNA recognition, tumorigenic mutations, cell signalling, recognition in innate immunity, virus architecture and pathogenicity, structure and function in adaptive immunity, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis: 2
describe and critically discuss examples of the uses of structural information in the design of therapeutic agents: 2
search for, select and retrieve information from the scientific databases and literature: 1,2
abstract, synthesise, integrate and critically evaluate information from the scientific literature: 1,2
describe and critically discuss examples of the relationship of protein structure to its function: 1,2

Study hours

IN-SITU LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
14 Hours Live sessions (demonstrations, seminars, tutorials, discussions)
ASYNCHRONOUS DIRECTED LEARNING:
12 x 6 hours hours engagement with asynchronous content
INDEPENDENT STUDY and ASSESSMENT:
32 Hours research and completion of in-course report (Assessment 1)
32 Hours research and completion of Coursework assessment (Assessment 2)

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment