- How enzymes function using selected examples; to include the role played by metal ions and co-enzymes, enzyme kinetics, inhibition of enzyme activity
- The actions of selected enzymes; to include chymotrypsin, aspartate- and metallo- proteases, impact on medicine
- How enzymes are regulated; to include allosteric regulation, covalent modification, isozymes, precursor processing
- The background rational and experimental evidence for the traditional concept of a rate-limiting enzyme in the regulation of flux through metabolic pathways
- The concept of metabolic control analysis to explain how flux through metabolic pathways is regulated; to include the flux control coefficient of each enzyme in a pathway
- The concepts of chemiosmosis and intracellular homeostasis
- The structural and functional features of selected membrane transport proteins
- The mechanisms that regulate body mass and the resultant metabolic diseases that occur when these go awry
- The current status of understanding of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Molecular mechanisms that regulate cell shape and movement; to include cellular cytoskeleton biochemistry
- Selected aspects of cell signalling including the operation of tyrosine kinase receptors, G-proteins, lipid-derivatives and calcium ions as second messengers, cell signalling in the immune system
- The nuclear receptor superfamily and describe the overall mechanism of action of steroid receptors and related non-steroid receptors (thyroid hormone, retinoic acid, vitamin D receptors)
- The tissue specificity of hormone response as regards glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids
- The molecules and mechanisms that govern cell-cell adhesion and cell-matrix interactions
Students will also develop practical skills in data interpretation, communication (written and oral) as well as interpersonal and team-working skills. These represent transferable skills that will benefit students across a range of disciplines. The aims of the course will be achieved through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical classes and a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.
