COURSES

• BIO 325: Biochemistry I
• BIO 326: Biochemistry I Lab
• BIO 425: Biochemistry II

BIO 325: Biochemistry I (4 credits) The course reviews the basic principles of organic chemistry and molecular biology that are given in introductory courses- properties of carbon compounds and functional groups; covalent and non-covalent interactions; and principles of thermodynamics, and builds on this knowledge to understand the structure and function of the major classes of macromolecules. The course gives emphasis to principles of enzyme's action and regulation, with consideration of structure/function relationships and quantitative analysis. The last section of the course is an introduction to intermediary metabolism, covering both metabolic pathways and principles of regulation and energy considerations. We examine the metabolic pathways of glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, citric acid cycle; oxidative phosphorylation; and glycogen metabolism. List of topics: The scope of biochemistry Principles of thermodynamics Water properties and non-covalent interactions Carbon compounds Lipids Carbohydrates Nucleic acids Proteins Analytical and quantitative methods in biochemistry Principles of enzyme action: Enzyme mechanisms Principles of enzyme action: Quantification of enzyme activity Principles of enzyme action: Regulatory mechanisms Principles of enzyme action: co-enzymes Principles of intermediary metabolism Glycolysis Gluconeogenesis Krebs cycle Oxidative phosphorylation Glycogen metabolism Textbook: Lehninger's Principles of Biochemistry, 3rd edition by Nelson and Cox.

BIO 326: Biochemistry I Lab (1 credit) This lab course is particularly suitable for students who take or plan to take Biochemistry I (Bio 325 or equivalent), or for students with solid background in chemistry and molecular biology who are interested in practical experience in protein biochemistry and enzymology. All lab sessions are focused on a single subject- purification and characterization of a yeast enzyme- invertase. The course includes methods for analysis and quantification of enzymatic activity, bulk fractionation procedures including salting-out and organic extraction, and chromatographic procedures such as electrophoresis and ion exchange. Emphasis is given to the management and documentation, analysis, and presentation of collected data. The grade is based on quizzes (30%), organization during the lab (20%) and lab reports (50%). Session 1 (class): Introduction Session 2 (lab): Nelson assays for glucose: calibration curve and enzyme kinetics. Session 3 (lab): Substrate kinetics, inhibitors. Session 4 (class): Summary and analysis of kinetic experiments Session 5 (lab): Extraction and partial purification of invertase from yeast cells. Session 6 (lab): Enzyme activity assays. Session 7 (lab): Protein assay. Session 8 (class): Summary and data analysis (including specific activity and yield calculations). Session 9 (lab): Ion Exchange Chromatography. Session 10 (lab): Ion Exchange: Nelson assays, protein assays. Session 11 (lab): Gel-Electrophoresis Session 12 (class): Last meeting and summary; analysis of ion exchange and gel-electrophoresis results.

BIO 425: Biochemistry II (4 credits) In this course we continue the study of metabolism that we began in Biochemistry I (Bio 325), with the addition of several special-interest topics. Students are required to give one presentation on a topic of their choice from the course materials, in addition to exams. Special attention is given to mechanistic aspects of enzyme and cofactor function. Offered winter semester. Prerequisites: Bio325 or equivalent. Detailed topic list: Photosynthesis Glycogen metabolism Gluconeogenesis Regulation of glucose metabolism Fatty acid metabolism Cholesterol metabolism Amino acid metabolism Signal transduction Metabolic coordination in vertebrates Structure of nucleic acids and nucleoproteins Gene expression - protein-DNA interactions Gene expression - basal transcription in eukaryotes Gene expression - activated transcription in eukaryotes Textbook: Lehninger's Principles of Biochemistry, 3rd edition by Nelson and Cox.