Structural biochemistry

Course unit title

Scientific direction

Scientific code

Faculty

Department (s)

Structural biochemistry

Biochemistry N 004

Life Sciences Center

Institute of Biosciences

Total number of credits

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Lectures

0

Consultations

3

Self-studies

6

Seminars

1

Aims of course

To deepen PhD student‘ knowledge on structure, action and functions of main cellular compounds.

Main topics

Proteins. Chemical and physical properties of aminoacids, oligo- and polypeptides. Protein structure levels. Principles of protein folding. Shaperones. Protein digestion, proteasomes. Fibrill proteins, structures and functions. Prions. Protein complexes.

Enzymes. Nomenclature of enzymes. Principles of enzyme catalysis. Reaction rate and external factors. Inhibitors. Cofactors. Active site in enzyme catalysis. Regulation of enzyme activity.

Nucleic acids. Structure and functions of DNA and RNA.

Carbohydrates. Mono-, oligo- and polysaccharides – structure and functions. Glycoproteins, glycolipids, peptidoglycans and proteoglycans.

Lipids. Fatty acid functions in a cell. Structure and functions of lipids.

Main literature

• D.L.Nelson, M.M.Cox. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 6th, 7th ed. Freeman, 2013, 2016.
• D.E.Metzler, Biochemistry. The chemical reactions of living cells vol.1,2 , 2nd ed. Harcourt/Academic Press, 2001, 2003.
• J. Kadziauskas. Biochemijos pagrindai, VU leidykla, 2008, 2012.

Assessment strategy

Assessment criteria

Seminar

Duration of the presentation duration – one academic hour (45 min) and 15 min for questions. Presentation covers 5-10 papers or reviews.

Saulius Serva

Approved by the Council of Doctoral School of Life Sciences Center No (4.10)600000-KT-… on the 14th of October 2021

Chairman dr. Daiva Baltriukienė