Lecture

Experimental Biochemistry and Biophysics: Genetic Engineering and FRET Sensors

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In course

CH-319: Experimental biochemistry and biophysics

A 7-week long (4+8 h) experiment where you plan and construct a fluorescent sensor protein starting from DNA bricks. The protein will be expressed in and purified from E.coli, characterized by biochemical and spectroscopic methods. Your report will be in ...

Description

This lecture covers the practical aspects of experimental biochemistry and biophysics, focusing on genetic engineering and the characterization of a FRET sensor of enzymatic activity. Students will learn about DNA manipulation techniques, protein expression, purification, and characterization, as well as the kinetics of enzymatic reactions. The lecture also emphasizes the importance of lab safety and the differences between bio-labs and chemistry labs. Practical skills such as planning, teamwork, and lab journaling are highlighted, preparing students for future projects in chemical biology. The session concludes with a discussion on the evaluation criteria and the final report submission.

Instructor

Rudolf Hovius

Expertise Â•Protein structure, expression & purificationÂ•Molecular interaction & receptor activationÂ•Fluorescence imaging & spectroscopySignalling & sensing Mission => Teaching: Lecture courses, tutorials and practicals in biochemistry, biophysical chemistry of membranes and signalling processes. Participating to the Commission d'Enseignement and Commission de l'Ecole Doctorale of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.=> Research interests: Protein function and structure, Membrane protein (especially recepto

Official source

Related concepts (32)

Genetic engineering

Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification or genetic manipulation, is the modification and manipulation of an organism's genes using technology. It is a set of technologies used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and across species boundaries to produce improved or novel organisms. New DNA is obtained by either isolating and copying the genetic material of interest using recombinant DNA methods or by artificially synthesising the DNA.

Genetic engineering techniques

Genetic engineering techniques allow the modification of animal and plant genomes. Techniques have been devised to insert, delete, and modify DNA at multiple levels, ranging from a specific base pair in a specific gene to entire genes. There are a number of steps that are followed before a genetically modified organism (GMO) is created. Genetic engineers must first choose what gene they wish to insert, modify, or delete. The gene must then be isolated and incorporated, along with other genetic elements, into a suitable vector.

Protein–protein interaction

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are physical contacts of high specificity established between two or more protein molecules as a result of biochemical events steered by interactions that include electrostatic forces, hydrogen bonding and the hydrophobic effect. Many are physical contacts with molecular associations between chains that occur in a cell or in a living organism in a specific biomolecular context. Proteins rarely act alone as their functions tend to be regulated.

Gene expression

Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product that enables it to produce end products, proteins or non-coding RNA, and ultimately affect a phenotype. These products are often proteins, but in non-protein-coding genes such as transfer RNA (tRNA) and small nuclear RNA (snRNA), the product is a functional non-coding RNA.

Protein production

Protein production is the biotechnological process of generating a specific protein. It is typically achieved by the manipulation of gene expression in an organism such that it expresses large amounts of a recombinant gene. This includes the transcription of the recombinant DNA to messenger RNA (mRNA), the translation of mRNA into polypeptide chains, which are ultimately folded into functional proteins and may be targeted to specific subcellular or extracellular locations.

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