Year
2018
Units
4.5
Contact
6 x 50-minute lectures per semester
9 x 50-minute tutorials per semester
2 x 2-hour workshops per semester
Prerequisites
1 Admission into GDPBT-Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology
1a Admission into MNT-Master of Nanotechnology
1b Admission into MBA-Master of Business Administration
1c Admission into MBTL-Master of Biotechnology
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c))
Enrolment not permitted
1 of BTEC9007, BTEC9630 has been successfully completed
Assumed knowledge
Basic knowledge in molecular biology and biochemistry.
Topic description
Protein Biotechnology is a selective topic supporting the postgraduate students who do not have sufficient prerequisite knowledge for the Topic BIOL9005 Protein to Proteome GE. Therefore this topic will teach the students the foundation knowledge and techniques in contemporary protein biochemistry and biotechnology to bridge the gap for students to successfully undertake BIOL9005. In this Topic, the students will learn about protein structure, protein folding, electrophoresis, western-blotting, molecular cloning and manipulation of recombinant DNA, protein expression in E. coli, protein purification, enzymes and enzymatic catalysis, protein-protein interactions, DNA binding, and basic biophysical characterisation of protein structures. This topic will focus on building the knowledge bases of students in order to further learn the functions of cellular proteins and contemporary approaches of protein characterisation.
Educational aims
The aims of this topic are to:

  1. Prepare the students with foundational knowledge and techniques on protein biochemistry and biotechnology required for the Topic BTEC9005
  2. Develop students an understanding of basic protein biochemistry including protein structure, protein folding, protein-protein interactions and DNA binding
  3. Familiarize the students with basic protein characterization techniques, including electrophoresis, western-blotting, enzymes and enzymatic catalysis
  4. Develop students' basic knowledge of protein molecular biology including molecular cloning and manipulation of recombinant DNA, protein expression in E. coli, and protein purification
  5. Develop students' generic skills in problem-solving, self-directed learning, independence and teamwork, good written and oral communication, and critical thinking
Expected learning outcomes
At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of the foundational knowledge and techniques on protein biochemistry and biotechnology required for the Topic BIOL9005
  2. Demonstrate understanding of basic protein biochemistry including protein structure, protein folding, protein-protein interactions and DNA binding
  3. Demonstrate understanding of basic protein characterization techniques, including electrophoresis, western-blotting, enzymes and enzymatic catalysis
  4. Gain basic knowledge of protein molecular biology including molecular cloning and manipulation of recombinant DNA, protein expression in E. coli, and protein purification
  5. Display effective skills in self-directed learning, peer-learning, critical literature analysis, communication, independence and team work skills, and problem-solving