LQB682 Biomolecular Design

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This unit is designed to give you the essential concepts and techniques driving research and industrial biotechnology so that you will be equipped for multiple careers in the biological sciences. The skills you develop will allow you to enter a practical laboratory environment or to apply your knowledge in related areas of evaluations of technologies and intellectual property.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Critically analyse how protein structure relates to its function.
2. Describe the molecular biology used to re-engineer proteins and allow their large scale expression and purification.
3. Explain how biopharmaceuticals and other biotechnology products are refined and tested for quality control.
4. Demonstrate advanced level laboratory and practical skills in protein science and professional scientific communication skills.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit will be taught using on-line lectures, practical classes and workshops. Lecture content closely co-ordinates with the hands on lab-based activities and workshops focussing on computational biology to help you appreciate the application of the biotech strategies studied in class. Both laboratory classes and workshops feature individual instruction to help you carry out tasks which are designed to support the unit's key learning outcomes. The industrial techniques and regulatory aspects of biopharmaceutic production discussed in the unit are reinforced through a visit to a local biotechnology company.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Formative feedback is through questions posed as part of the practical assessment. The practical classes follow lecture material closely to reinforce the strategies that are discussed, with experienced demonstrators to assess and guide your development. Each practical exercise concludes with a set of questions that are reviewed in class. Hence, you will receive immediate feedback on your performance to assist your learning in both biochemical knowledge and laboratory practice.

Assessment

Overview

A variety of assessments will be used to allow you to perform in a number of different formats and environments. A mixture of formative and summative assessment will enable you to gauge your progress during the unit, and to develop your skills in areas where you particularly feel you need extra assistance.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Biomolecular Design Poster

Poster and Problem Solving Tasks.
Workshops on computer aided molecular visualization and design will guide you through this piece of assessment. You will be given a protein structure sourced from the RSCB databank (a web based repository of protein structures) and will be required to produce a poster containing an explanation of the protein's role in living systems, how it might be engineered to perform an enhanced function and a putative mutation to achieve this end.

Assessment: Lab competency and comprehension

Each week you will view a video presentation of a technique relevant to that week's lecture material. You will then carry out the procedure/s demonstrated in the video using the unit laboratory manual for guidance and answer questions to demonstrate your understanding of the activity. This assessment will build your practical professional skills and knowledge.

Assessment: Examination (written)

End of semester examination which will assess your understanding of biomolecular design principles and practice.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Costs

Cost of lab gowns and safety protection glasses are the student's responsibility.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Branden C, Tooze J. Introduction to Protein Structure. 2nd Edition: Garland Press;1999.

Creighton TE. Proteins: Structure and Molecular Properties. 2nd edition: W.H. Freeman; 1993.

Nelson DL, Cox, MM, Lehninger AL. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. 7th edition: W.H. Freemanl; 2017.

Safety and protective equipment

Practicals will require personal protective equipment supplied by each student:

1. Laboratory Gown - Rear fastening 100% cotton or polyester/cotton mix (65% polyester is maximum allowable)
2. Safety eye protection glasses - selected and used in accordance with Australian Safety Standards (AS1336, AS1337 and AS1338).
3. Fully enclosed non-slip shoes

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit includes a laboratory component. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You are required to view a Health & Safety Induction video and complete an online health and safety quiz prior to being permitted into the laboratory, to access please follow this link Health & Safety Induction. A passing score of 10/10 is required and will be checked prior to entry to the first laboratory session. You may repeat the quiz until this score is achieved. You are also referred to the Faculty of Health's Health & Safety Web Site for further information.

If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the lecturer in charge of the unit, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.

Course Learning Outcomes

LS40 Bachelor of Biomedical Science

1. Critically review, analyse and synthesise foundational knowledge in a broad range of biomedical discipline areas and in depth theoretical, technical and practical knowledge in specialised discipline areas.
   Relates to: Biomolecular Design Poster, Examination (written)
2. Demonstrate the technical skills required to solve multi-disciplinary problems in biomedical research, industry and clinical settings and do so in an ethical, safe and responsible manner.
   Relates to: Lab competency and comprehension
3. Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
   Relates to: Biomolecular Design Poster, Lab competency and comprehension, Examination (written)
4. Contribute effectively to biomedical projects, either as an individual or as a member of a team, by demonstrating professional behaviour and participating in continuous learning.
   Relates to: Lab competency and comprehension
5. Apply knowledge and skills to rapidly source, critically analyse and communicate biomedical science information using appropriate technologies.
   Relates to: Biomolecular Design Poster