Protein Engineering

Code:

M.BIO035

Acronym:

EP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biological Engineering

Instance: 2022/2023 - 1S

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

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M.BIO	19	Syllabus	1	-	6	65	162
M.EQ	19	Syllabus	1	-	6	65	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Students should learn 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. 

Learning outcomes and competences

Technical skills:

Understanding 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. 

Non-technical skills:

Group work and oral presentation.

Working method

Presencial

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) Production, purification and analysis of a recombinant protein 

Mandatory literature

Filipe Mergulhão; Apontamentos de Engenharia de Proteínas, (A fornecer em formato electrónico), 2012

Complementary Bibliography

Gary Walsh; Proteins. ISBN: 0-471-89907-0
Lubert Stryer; Biochemistry. ISBN: 0-7167-2009-4
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
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

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	65,00
Trabalho laboratorial	35,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	30,00
Estudo autónomo	78,00
Frequência das aulas	39,00
Trabalho laboratorial	13,00
Total:	160,00

Eligibility for exams

Participation in the laboratory sessions and delivery of the final report with a positive (greater or equal to 10/20) classification. The final lab grade will be multiplied by the percentage of lab sessions that the student has effectively attended (from beginning to end).

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Grade (FG) will be based on the following formula: 
FG= 0.65xE + 0.35xL

E- Final Exam 
L- Final report of laboratory assignments 

 

Examinations or Special Assignments

For the laboratory part, a final report will also have to be delivered along with a short presentation of the lab session.

In case there is a determination by the authorised bodies from U. Porto that lab classes are not possible, the weights of the different components may be re-adjusted.

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 experimental session (to be schedulled according to the lab convenience), writing a full report of the experiental work, and give an orla presentation about their work an results . Students must also present the TP work (which will be done individually) in printed form as well as in an oral presentation.

Classification improvement

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

Observations