[PC] X-ray crystallography of proteins

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Protein structure determination using X-ray crystallography is the major experimental technique in Structural Biology. This module will provide an in-depth introduction to the technique. No similar module is offered at this level anywhere in South Africa.

Sub-modules

Lecturers

Programme Co-ordinator, Trevor Sewell, has experience in computer-based education, and is actively engaged in research in the field of structural biology. In addition to his co-ordinating role, Prof Sewell will present lectures on the determination of the three-dimensional structures of cells using tomography and single particle methods for the determination of macromolecular structure. He will also present workshops explaining some of the major achievements of structural biology studies on large structures including the ribosome.

Senior Lecturer, Muhammed Sayed (Department of Biotechnology, UWC), is a protein crystallographer who completed his post-doctoral studies under Professor Tom Blundell at Cambridge University. He will supervise the web-courses in protein structure and protein crystallography. His goal is to develop protein crystallography as a practical discipline. He will be involved in the “Introduction to X-ray crystallography” sub-module.

International consultant, Mike Lawrence, will also present lectures and workshops on protein crystallography

This module descriptor document also can be downloaded as an MS-Word document.

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Main Outcomes

The ability to:

crystallize proteins,
collect and process crystallographic data,
determine space groups,
solve structures by molecular replacement,
solve structures by isomorphous replacement and multiple anomalous dispersion techniques
display structures
build models of proteins using experimentally determined maps
use standard crystallographic software

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Main Content

Basic theory of scattering
Symmetry
Design and operation of experimental equipment
Data processing
Structure determination
Display and model building
Concepts of structure refinement

Home Department:	Biotechnology (UWC)
Module description (Header):	Protein Crystallography
Generic module name:	Structural Biology
Alpha-numeric code:	STB705
Credit Value:	20 Credits
Duration:	12 Weeks
Module Type:	P
Level:	8
Prerequisites:
Co-requisites:	None
Prohibited combinations:	None
Learning time breakdown (hours):
Contact with lecturer/tutor:	40
Assignments & tasks:	60
Tests & examinations:	5
Practicals:	15
Selfstudy:	80
Total Learning Time	200
Methods of Student Assessment:	Students will be required to present at least two lectures on specialist topics and complete three computer-based assignments demonstrating mastery of a variety of techniques. There will also be a class test. Moderation will be internal. Lectures – 10% Class test – 10% Assignments – 80%