BCH2031

Biomedical molecular biology

Included on BSc(Biomedical) schedule of approved subjects only

Dr Clem Robinson

8 points - Four 1-hour lectures and one 4-hour practical per week - First semester - Clayton - Prerequisites: CHM1011/CHM1022 or CHM1031/CHM1042 or BIO1011/BIO1032 with VCE Chemistry - Prohibition: BCH2011

Objectives On completion of this subject students should understand the structure of molecules associated with the life process and the role of these molecules in the function of living cells; molecular organisation of cellular structures, especially that of membranes and the role of membranes in cellular metabolism; physical and biochemical properties of proteins, especially in their roles as enzymes; molecular nature of nucleic acids and the mechanism by which they specify proteins; methods of isolation, separation and characterisation of biological molecules; medical relevance of these biological molecules. Practical and small-group teaching will allow students to strengthen and extend their understanding of lecture material as well as to develop skills in the application of biochemical and molecular biological techniques to specific medical situations and conditions.

Synopsis This subject is the first of two one-semester subjects that will give BSc (Biomedical) students a basic knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology in relation to clinical medicine. This subject will differ from BCH2011 in that one lecture hour per week will be devoted to biomedical aspects of molecular biology. The subject includes amino acid chemistry, protein chemistry, the catalytic role of proteins as enzymes, the principles of molecular biology, the chemistry and biosynthesis of nucleic acids and their function in information flow in cells, membrane structure and the structure of lipids and carbohydrates as components of membranes. Practical training covers aspects of the assay of biochemical molecules, enzymology and molecular biology.

Assessment Mid-semester test (45 min): 10% - Examinations (1.5 and 2 hours): 30% and 40% - Laboratory training: 20%

Prescribed texts

Lehninger A L, Nelson D L and Cox M M Principles of biochemistry 2nd edn, Worth, 1993

Recommended texts

Marks D B and others Basic medical biochemistry Williams and Wilkins, 1996
Montgomery R and others Biochemistry: A case-oriented approach 6th edn, Mosby, 1996
Gillham B, Papachristodoulou D K and Thomas J H Will's 'Biochemical basis of medicine' 3rd edn, Butterworth Heinemann, 1997

Back to the 1999 Science Handbook