9452118 Martinson A two-course undergraduate Biochemistry laboratory sequence features problem-oriented long term projects in place of the traditional technique-oriented short-term exercises. The projects illustrate major themes in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, while teaching methodological fundamentals as well as current techniques. The first course focuses on the isolation and characterization of an enzyme. Students learn the fundamental strategies for macromolecular purification, and become acquainted with the techniques of ammonium sulfate fractionation, affinity chromatography, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting, gel exclusion chromatography, and several means of protein detection. They also engage in a thorough study of enzyme kinetics. The second course acquaints students with the nature of original research. Students investigate projects dealing with membrane function and gene regulation, based directly on current research literature in the field.
