Protein Folding and Assembly, from molecule to disease

Proteins are the molecular machines of the living cell, and need to fold into their correct three-dimensional conformations in order to function. During the course, we will explore how proteins “know” what shape they should fold up into following their synthesis, how they cluster into dynamic macromolecular complexes, and how protein quality control is ensured in the complex environment of cells and multicellular organisms.

Key questions that are currently being investigated in the field of protein folding and assembly are: How can molecules assemble almost error-free into complex machines? How can cellular factors such as molecular chaperones guide these processes? Why do some proteins never fold? What happens to proteins when they are damaged? What happens when proteins aggregate? Are there strategies to develop molecular therapies against protein folding diseases, such as Alzheimer, Parkinson or mad cow disease?

Students will be trained to develop and write a research proposal on a related topic, which they will subsequently execute in the lab. The course is accompanied by lectures to provide the required theoretical knowledge.

At the end of this course you will have acquired sufficient knowledge for understanding and evaluating interdisciplinary research articles in protein science. You will have an overview of the available methods for characterising biomolecules and interactions between biomolecules, in vitro and in the living cell. Furthermore, you will have gained an insight into the way research laboratories formulate and study hypotheses, and you will be able to develop interdisciplinary project plans for analysing biomolecules. The aim of the course is to provide students with intellectual and technical skills to as excellent basis for a master programme in the molecular life sciences.

At the end of the course, the student will have acquired:

1.  Theoretical and practical skills in key techniques to study biomolecular complexes (protein biochemistry, fluorescence and NMR spectroscopy, radioactive pulse labelling techniques).  
   

2.  Insights how research laboratories apply structural techniques to get insights into biomolecular processes.  
   

3.  Knowledge and skills to understand and judge the experimental part of research articles in structural biology.  
   

4.  Skills for conceiving an interdisciplinary grant proposal in the area structural biology.
   

Broad knowledge of biochemistry, cell biology and structural biology. Third year Chemistry and MBLS students who have finished the compulsory part of their curriculum have the required prerequisite knowledge. Other motivated students (e.g. second year Chemistry and MBLS students; and UCU students, internationals etc.) are welcome to register, but only after contacting the course coordinator for a personal check of their background knowledge.

https://osiris-student.uu.nl/onderwijscatalogus/extern/cursus?cursusid=236284&taal=nl