Spring 2016 - MBB 309W D100

Biochemistry Laboratory (4)

Class Number: 1885

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 11, 2016: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    MBB 231, with a minimum grade of C.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Contemporary techniques in biochemistry including protein purification, immunochemical methods, and lipid characterization. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

The purpose of this W (writing) intensive laboratory course is to introduce students to fundamental techniques used in modern biochemistry and to teach them how to be effective writers. In the course of the semester, the students will learn the correct format of scientific writing and submit four laboratory reports. In addition to the practical learning in the laboratory, the students will review two current research papers. The lecture component of the course will present background to laboratory experiments and provide writing tutorials.

2 lecture hours/week; 0 tutorial hours/week; 4 lab hours/week

Laboratory Schedule:
Week
1.     Check-in, Orientation, Buffer Preparation
2.     Protein Quantitation
3.     Immunoprecipitation
4.     SDS-PAGE and Protein Electrotransfer
5.     Immunoblotting and Immunofluorescence
6.     Immunofluorescent Microscopy
7.     Protein Purification – Gel Exclusion Chromatography
8.     Protein Purification – Enzyme Activity Assays
9.     Protein Purification – Ion-Exchange Chromatography
10.   Affinity Chromatography – GST tagging
11.   Affinity Chromatography – Protein Concentration and Digestion/Check-out
12.   Final Quiz

Please note that the instructor reserves the right to change the laboratory schedule

Grading

  • Weekly Quizzes 15%
  • Lab Reports 35%
  • Critical Reviews 20%
  • Lab Work 10%
  • Final Quiz 20%
  • To receive credit for this course, students must complete all requirements.

NOTES:

A non-refundable fee of $12.50 will be assessed for the laboratory manual.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Lab coat (required)
Safety goggles (optional)

REQUIRED READING:

Lab manual will be provided for which a non-refundable fee of $12.50 will be assessed.

Pinker, Steven. The Sense of Style. The thinking person's guide to writing in the 21st century.  Viking: 2014.
ISBN: 978-0-670-02585-5

RECOMMENDED READING:

Hacker, Diana, Douglas P. Downs, and Barbara Fister. Canadian Writer’s Reference. Bedford/St. Martins: 2011.


Boyer, Rodney. Biochemistry Laboratory: Modern Theory and Techniques. 2nd Ed. Benjamin Cummings: 2012.


Gillen, Christopher M., Reading Primary Literature: A Practical Guide to Evaluating Research Articles in Biology. Pearson, Benjamin Cummings: 2007.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

  • Students are advised to review the plagiarism tutorial found at
    http://www.lib.sfu.ca/help/tutorials/plagiarism-tutorial
  • For help with writing, learning and study strategies please contact the Student Learning Commons at
    http://learningcommons.sfu.ca/
  • Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability, must contact the Centre for Students with Disabilities (778-782-3112 or e-mail:  csdo@sfu.ca)

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS