BIOC 356 - Biochemistry Senior Seminar

Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
1 unit(s)

An intensive study of selected topics at the molecular, subcellular, and cellular level. Specific topics will vary. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and research with course material being drawn from the recent biochemical literature. Work in the course culminates in a significant summative presentation.

Topic for 2025/26a: The Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics of Translation: This course explores our current mechanistic understanding of mRNA translation by the ribosome as illuminated by recent and ongoing research leveraging biochemical, biophysical, and whole-genome approaches. Students read cutting-edge primary literature articles and lead or participate in journal club discussion of these. In parallel, students identify novel questions within the translation field and craft and present a research proposal to address these questions. Throughout the semester, we focus on developing each student’s ability to approach, interpret, criticize, and communicate advanced scientific topics, with an emphasis on confronting and working through confusion and difficulty. Colin Echeverria Aitken.

Students can take only one of BIOC 356 or BIOL /CHEM 324 .

Two 2-hour periods.

Topic for 2025/26a: Carbohydrates and Glycobiology. Beginning from the basic biochemistry of carbohydrates, the field of glycobiology has grown into an important segment of molecular biology with applications in many areas of basic research, medicine, and biotechnology. This course follows the trajectory of this field, beginning with simple sugars and carbohydrate chemistry and then exploring the structure-function relationships of complex glycoproteins, glycolipids, and glycan-modified RNA. As we use the primary scientific literature to understand the newest discoveries and experimental approaches in the field, we also discuss the societal implications of this work especially in relation to drug development and clean energy production. Throughout the semester you develop your ability to engage with scientific literature and communicate advanced scientific topics through both written work and oral presentations. Rebecca Pollet.

Topic for 2025/26b: Structural Basis of CRISPR Gene Editing: Analysis of protein structure and underlying structure-function relationships are critical for the understanding of any biochemical pathway, as function is intimately tied to a protein’s three-dimensional structure. Through the study of enzymes from the CRISPR gene-editing system, we examine three major protein structure determination methods: x-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and cryo-electron microscopy. We use the primary scientific literature to understand the biochemical and molecular basis of CRISPR based gene editing. We also explore other ways to evaluate protein structure-function relationships, and discuss the societal impact of gene-editing with CRISPR. Development of effective science communication skills through critical analysis of the primary literature, written work, and oral presentations is a major goal of this discussion-based course. Krystle McLaughlin.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

Two 75-minute periods.

Course Format: CLS