Proteiners struktur och funktion I

Evolution works basically by selection of point mutations, but precisely how do these point mutations affect the molecular behaviour of the produced proteins? In this course you will learn, hands on, how to obtain X-ray structures from purified protein, and subsequently explore how the protein properties and function respond to point mutations. Central focus is thus directed to understand how the detailed amino-acid interactions determine protein structural stability and binding. The basic theme of the course is that theory, wet-labs and computing go hand-in-hand to solve real problems in protein chemistry. As such, reductionist thinking, application of basic chemical models and data quantification constitute a red thread throughout the teaching, and several common spectroscopic methods and experimental approaches are employed in depth. Experimental results, progress and student conclusions will be presented/examined both in form of individual seminars and poster presentations.