Chemical biology
Summary
Chemical Biology is an interdisciplinary field using chemical principles and techniques to analyse and manipulate biological systems. It relies on small-molecule chemicals to gain an in-depth understanding of biology, and provides new tools and products ranging from basic research to therapeutics.
Content
This class revolves around the following central question:
"How can we use chemical tools to probe and manipulate biology on all levels of the central dogma of molecular biology (i.e. DNA, RNA and protein)?"
The following topics are covered (non-comprehensive overview):
- sequencing and synthesis of DNA, RNA and proteins
- gene and genome editing, mutagenesis
- probing and manipulation of nucleic acids and proteins
- enzymes (kinetics, inhibition and modulation)
- biosensors
- metabolic regulation and signalling
Keywords
Chemical biology, DNA, RNA, enzyme, protein, gene editing, metabolism, sequencing, biosensors
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
This 3rd-year BSc course builds on preceeding years introductory organic chemistry courses, and in their 2nd-year, CH-210: Biochemistry (by Prof. Christian Heinis). Introductory bioengineering, genetics and cell biology course in place of the Biochemistry course above is also a suitable option.
Recommended courses
The following parallel course offered at EPFL is recommended:
Macromolecular structure and interactions (Prof. Beat Fierz)
Important concepts to start the course
Basic knowledge in chemistry and biochemistry is expected. Students particularly benefit from refreshing their knowledge on the following topics prior to the start of the course: central dogma of molecular biology, chemical structure of DNA/RNA/proteins, transcription and translation, the major components and general make up of pro- and eukaryotic cells.
Teaching methods
Power-point presentation and in-class interactive discussion
Expected student activities
active participation in discussions; reading/presentation of primary literature on distributed topics (once per student and semester)
Assessment methods
- Final written exam
Supervision
| Office hours | Yes |
| Assistants | No |
| Forum | Yes |
| Others | Students are welcomed to contact the lecturer via email to ask questions and fix appointments |
Resources
Bibliography
There is no single textbook that covers all the subjects for this course. Lecture slides and presentations combined with personal notes are thus the most useful resource and cover all relevant learning topics.
Slides are posted in advance of each lecture in moodle (link will be provided in the course).
Recommended text books for further reading:
- "Biochemistry" by Berg & Stryer. W.H. Freeman & Company
- "The molecular biology of the cell" by Alberts, Heald, Lewis, Morgan, Raff, Roberts and Walter
- "Introduction to Bioorganic Chemistry & Chemical Biology" by David van Vranken & Gregory Weiss; Garland Science.
- "Cell signaling: principles & mechanisms" by Wendell Lim, Bruce Mayer, Tony Pawson; Garland Science.
Ressources en bibliothèque
Moodle Link
Dans les plans d'études
- Semestre: Automne
- Forme de l'examen: Ecrit (session d'hiver)
- Matière examinée: Chemical biology
- Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Type: obligatoire
- Semestre: Automne
- Forme de l'examen: Ecrit (session d'hiver)
- Matière examinée: Chemical biology
- Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Type: optionnel