Studying at York
Miniproject with Chemistry - Biology Interface - CHE00065M
- Department: Chemistry
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
Module summary
Miniproject
This module builds on MChem-only module Advanced Topics & Practical, developing advanced specialism content of the Chemistry degree programme, and encompassing group work and research-level investigation, to complete students’ preparation for the final year of the MChem programme.
Chemistry - Biology Interface
This module will survey contemporary research at the interface between chemistry and biology – using chemical methods to ask and answer questions about biological systems.
Related modules
Pre-requisite modules
- None
Co-requisite modules
- None
Prohibited combinations
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2024-25 |
Module aims
Miniproject
Building on prior Year 1-2 Skills & Practical modules, and Year 3 MChem Advanced Topics & Practical, this module develops more advanced skills and knowledge that are relevant to the MChem programme. Specific aims are:
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To develop students’ group working and problem solving skills, as they engage with a research-like experience, conducting unscripted experimental work in the Group Miniprojects
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To develop students’ data organisation and scientific writing skills, as they write a significant report on their Group Miniproject.
Chemistry - Biology Interface
This module will survey contemporary research at the interface between chemistry and biology – using chemical methods to ask and answer questions about biological systems. The module will provide an overview of how chemists can hijack biological systems using bioorthogonal chemical tools, focusing on both the bioorganic and bioinorganic, including the development of artificial metalloenzymes. The course will also demonstrate how biology can act as a source of inspiration for the evolution of bio-transformations, genome editing and incorporation of unnatural functionality into proteins.
Module learning outcomes
Miniproject
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Plan and execute experiments as part of a research project
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Write a project report, encompassing experimental results and analysis in comparison with relevant scientific literature.
Chemistry - Biology Interface
Students will be able to explain how chemical tools can be used to hijack the cell’s own machinery using metabolic labelling and how unnatural amino acid mutagenesis can be used to introduce unnatural functionality which allows biomolecule function to be probed and perturbed.
Students will be able to recognise and rationalise mechanisms of artificial metalloenzymes.
Students will be able to explain how directed evolution techniques can be used to modulate and enhance the function of biological molecules in vitro and genome editing techniques to modulate phenotypes in vivo.
Module content
Miniproject
This element develops students’ group working and problem solving skills, as they engage with a research-like experience. Students work together in small groups to plan and carry out experiments, over the course of ~8 days, to conduct an investigation. The Group Miniproject concludes with writing and submitting an individual report, based on the group’s findings. Each group’s Miniproject is overseen by an academic, who provides some guidance on the work, and laboratory work is overseen by demonstrators.
Chemistry-Biology Interface
Hijacking the cell’s metabolic machinery with chemical tools (2 lectures, LIW):
Principles of feeding cells with modified biomolecules for cellular studies of these biomolecules using bioorthogonal chemistry, and metabolic inhibition of biosynthetic pathways.
Genetic code expansion and editing (3 lectures + 1 workshop, MAF):
Incorporation of unnatural functionality into proteins through unnatural amino acid mutagenesis. Principles of gene editing methods including CRISPR-Cas9 and their application in modulation of phenotypes in vivo.
Evolving biomolecules (5 lectures + 1 workshop, CDS):
Principles of directed evolution, the design and use of artificial enzymes, Phage display and related techniques along with chemical strategies to improve biomolecule evolution.
Artificial Metalloenzymes (5 lectures + 1 workshop, AKDK)
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 50 |
| Essay/coursework | 50 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
Miniproject execution is non reassessable.
Chemistry-Biology Interface
The 10 credits of option material will be assessed in a closed exam, with candidates permitted to bring four A4 sides of notes.
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 50 |
| Essay/coursework | 50 |
Module feedback
Miniproject
As the Miniproject progresses, students will receive formative verbal feedback from their Miniproject supervisor, to help them make progress with the miniproject work. The requirements of different miniprojects will vary; the supervisor will set out a planned schedule of subsequent meetings in the first Miniproject meeting. Students will receive emailed feedback on the submitted project report
Chemistry-Biology Interface
Exam results with per-question breakdown are returned to the students via supervisors within 5 weeks (as per special approval by the University Teaching Committee). Outline answers are made available via the Chemistry web pages or VLE when the students receive their marks, so that they can assess their own detailed progress/achievement.
Indicative reading
Miniproject
Dean, Jones, Holmes, Reed, Weyers and Jones, “Practical Skills in Chemistry”
Atkins “Physical Chemistry”
Weller, Overton, Rourke and Armstrong, “Inorganic Chemistry”
Clayden “Organic Chemistry”
Chemistry-Biology Interface
This is a research-led course so up-to-date scientific publications will form the majority of the reading.