BIOL 419
Secrets of Enzymes: Fidelity, Promiscuity, and Disease
Spring 2025
Division III
Class Details
Living organisms have spent the past 4 billion years evolving proteins and enzymes that perform basic cellular functions to support life. Over time, duplications and mutations of these enzymes have led to novel reactions, pathways, and chemistries. To gain an appreciation for these molecular catalysts, we will start by considering how enzymes are synthesized and how errors are introduced and naturally corrected. The course will focus on how enzymes such as CRISPR/Cas9 act as ‘molecular scissors’ to cut DNA and how these enzymes are used to correct errors. We will explore the implications of this field in active areas of biomedical, agricultural, and ecological research. Discussions and writing assignments will focus on reading and critiquing the scientific literature.
The Class:
Format: seminar; discussion three hours per week
Limit: 12
Expected: 12
Class#: 3163
Grading: no pass/fail option, yes fifth course option
Limit: 12
Expected: 12
Class#: 3163
Grading: no pass/fail option, yes fifth course option
Requirements/Evaluation:
three 3-page papers, a 3-page original research proposal, and participation in discussions
Prerequisites:
BIOL 202 recommended
Enrollment Preferences:
senior Biology majors that have not had a 400-level course, followed by senior Biology majors, then junior Biology majors
Distributions:
Divison III
Attributes:
BIMO Interdepartmental Electives
Class Grid
Updated 4:49 pm
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HEADERS
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BIOL 419 - 01 (S) SEM Enzyme Structure and Function
BIOL 419 - 01 (S) SEM Enzyme Structure and FunctionDivision IIIMW 11:00 am - 12:15 pm
Hopper Sci (South Sci) 221
Friday Org Mtg 11:00 am - 12:15 pm
Hopper Sci (South Sci) 2213163OpenInst