Protein Engineering

Code:

EQ0113

Acronym:

EP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Natural Sciences (Biological Sciences)

Instance: 2011/2012 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemical Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Chemical Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIB	14	Syllabus	3	-	6	70	162
MIEQ	9	Syllabus	4	-	6	70	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

This course unit aims to familiar students with basic concepts related to proteins, their application, relationships between composition, structure and function, as well as characterization methods.
Students should also get familiar with concepts related to proteins activity, stability, kinetics and synthesis in physiological conditions and industrial application of recombinant DNA technology, by using several strategies of protein engineering.

Program

Program of theoretical-practical classes

1- Proteins in medicine and industry
2- Proteins- composition, structure and function
3- Proteins- detection and characterization
4- Enzymes- Kinetics, activity, stability and regulation
5- Main objectives of protein engineering
6- Protein synthesis- Transcription
7- Protein synthesis- Post-transcriptional events
8- Protein synthesis- Translation
9- Protein synthesis- Post-translational events
10- Recombinant proteins expression- advantages and hosts
11- Recombinant proteins expression- methods for molecular cloning
12- Protein Engineering- Vector design
13- Protein Engineering- Rational design of proteins
14- Protein Engineering- Random strategies
15- Protein Engineering- Hybrid strategies

Program of laboratory classes

a) Cloning a gene in a vector
b) Production, purification and analysis of a recombinant protein

Mandatory literature

Filipe Mergulhão; Apontamentos de Engenharia de Proteínas , 2009. ISBN: (A fornecer em formato electrónico)

Complementary Bibliography

Bruce Alberts... [et al.]; Molecular biology of the cell. ISBN: 0-8153-3218-1
Harvey Lodish...[et al.]; Molecular Cell Biology. ISBN: 0-7167-4366-3
Gary Walsh; Proteins. ISBN: 0-471-89907-0
Lubert Stryer; Biochemistry. ISBN: 0-7167-2009-4
Stefan Lutz and Uwe Theo Bornscheuer; Protein Engineering Handbook, Wiley-VCH, 2009. ISBN: 352731850X

Teaching methods and learning activities

Classes will be based on the oral presentation of the themes of the course unit with the support of the board and slides. Students will be asked to participate in classes and to use a deductive reasoning.
Laboratory classes will be based on practical assignments, which illustrate the contents of the course unit.

keywords

Technological sciences > Technology > Biotecnology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biological engineering > Genetic engineering

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Eligibility for exams

Students will be admitted to exams, if they assiduously attend classes and if they do the assignments and respective reports.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Grade (FG) will be based on the following formula:
FG= 0.6xE + 0.4xL

E- Final Exam
L- Final report of laboratory assignments

Examinations or Special Assignments

Students will be asked to write a final report which should cover the results of the laboratory assignments, as well as materials and methodology used

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

According to the rules students have to attend an exam at recurso (resit) season.
Students can complete the laboratory component, by doing one assignment (either cloning or the production of a recombinant protein), writing a report giving a presentation and discussion. A date will be scheduled.

Classification improvement

Students can improve their grades by attending recurso (resit) exams. Students cannot improve the grade of the laboratory component.

Observations

Classes can either be given in Portuguese or in English, depending on what language students speak.