Chemical Biology

Course goals

During this course, the student will:
1. Develop a deep understanding of biological processes at the atomic and molecular level.
2. Become familiar with the principles of bio-orthogonal chemistry and its applications
3. Develop the skills to design and execute experiments that utilize chemical principles to gain insights into biological processes.
4. Understand the three-dimensional structure of biomolecules and the ways in which this structure influences their function.
5. Acquire a comprehensive comprehension of the interplay between proteins and small molecules, as well as protein-protein interactions, and their profound influence on biological functionality.
6. Learn to perform chemical Biology experiments in the lab
7. Knowledge of how academic research is funded

Content

The course builds upon Biomolecular Chemistry 1 (SK-B1BMC), delving deeper into Chemical Biology and Biochemistry. Its primary objective is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the inner workings of a cell at the atomic and molecular level, and to explore how custom-made chemical tools can be employed to probe biological systems.

Through a chemistry lens, the course will cover fundamental biological concepts, with an emphasis on exploring key innovations that have been recognized by Nobel prizes. Lectures will delve into these topics, providing students with a well-rounded perspective on the interdisciplinary field of Biochemistry and Chemical Biology.

Highlighted topcis:
- Protein biophysics and protein-protein interactions
- Phase separation/macromolecular crowding
- Multienzyme complexes and catalytic strategies
- Protein engineering/design/DNA nanotechnology
- Bio-orthogonal chemistry
- Post-translational modifications
- Protein degradation and Proteolysis targeting chimera
- Non-canonical amino acids