CHM3736

Bioactive chemistry

(SCI)

Dr Robert Lyall

6 points + 3 hours of lectures and 3 hours of laboratory work per week + First semester Gippsland + Second semester Malaysia + Prerequisites: 12 points second-year chemistry and/or biochemistry

Synopsis: Bioactive chemistry studies the chemistry of naturally occurring compounds and the biosynthetic pathways from which these classes of compounds arise. This is followed by a study of biological systems used to carry out controlled chemical reactions on organic molecules. The importance of natural product chemistry in relation to biologically active compounds of commercial significance will be illustrated. The course will then focus on concepts of protein chemistry including protein structure, peptide sequencing and synthesis, the principles of folding of polypeptide chains, prediction and modelling of polypeptide structures and the notion of ligand-induced conformational changes.

Assessment: Final examination (3 hours) 50% + Assignment: 10% + Problems: 10% + Practical work: 30% + A pass in both theoretical and practical components is mandatory