Proteins: Structure and Bioinformatics

Module code: BS7102

In this module you will study the basic features of three-dimensional protein structures and the tools available to determine, visualise and analyse them. We will investigate the experimental methods - X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and cryo electron microscopy - used to determine protein structure and the ways in which the quality of the structures obtained can be assessed.

A central feature of this module is detailed training in the retrieval of protein structures from databases and the visualisation and comparison of these structures. We will also cover in detail the alignment and comparison of amino acid sequences and the use of such comparisons to derive models of protein structure. Visiting speakers from the pharmaceutical industry will help us to discuss the use of structural information on proteins in the drug design process. We will also look at proteomics and hear from guest speakers expert in this rapidly developing area.