3 ECTS credits
75 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4022108ENR for all students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
Enzymes play an essential role in virtually all processes taking place in the living cell, where they function as catalysts of biochemical reactions. Also in industry, interest in enzymes as catalysts for chemical transformations is growing, due to their outstanding efficiency and specificity. In this course the students will gain insight in the mechanisms that underlie the unique specificity and efficiency of enzymes.
In a first part of the course the kinetic properties of enzyme-catalyzed reactions will be discussed. Several aspects will be covered in detail: (1) steady state kinetics, both for one-substrate and multi-substrate systems, (2) influence of inhibitors and physico-chemical parameters (pH, temperature) on the kinetic parameters, (3) regulation via cooperativity and allostery, (4) pre-steady state kinetic methods to unravel reaction pathways. All these aspects will be worked out in detail and will be illustrated with real-life examples.
A second part of the course focuses on the (chemical) mechanisms that underlie the remarkable catalytic properties of enzymes. The “classical” textbook mechanisms as well as more recent advanced theories will be covered. Different methods that are used in modern enzymology will be described. Finally, also multi-enzyme complexes and ribozymes will be briefly touched upon.
Detailed hand-outs of the Powerpoint presentations used during the course will be made available through Canvas
- The students have a profound knowledge of the principles, equations and methodologies of modern enzyme kinetics (steady-state and pre-steady state).
- The students have insight in the principles, basic equations and methodologies of modern enzyme kinetics (steady-state and pre-steady state) and can apply these to simple practical cases.
- The students have knowledge of and insights into the (chemical) mechanisms that enzymes use to catalyze reactions
- The students have knowledge of the classical and state-of-the-art methodologies that are used to study enzyme mechanisms
- The students have the ability to critically read and understand research papers in the field of enzymology
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
The exam is oral with written preparation.
For the part on “Enzyme kinetics” the exam will consist of three questions that cover different parts of the course and test both knowledge and insight in the content of the course.
For the part on “Enzyme mechanisms” the student will present and discuss a scientific paper relevant to the topic of the course. Additionally, a number of smaller questions relevant to the paper will be asked to test insight in the course material.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Molecular Biology: Standaard traject
Master of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Life sciences