2011-12 Catalog

First term: detailed analysis of the structures of the four classes of biological molecules and the forces that shape them. Introduction to molecular biological and visualization techniques. Second term: basic principles of modern biophysical and structural methods to interrogate macromolecules from the atomic to cellular levels, including X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, molecular dynamics, electron and light microscopy, AFM, single molecule techniques, and systems biological simulations. Third term: detailed analysis of specific macromolecular machines and systems that illustrate the principles and biophysical methods taught in the first two terms.

Discussion of the energetic principles and molecular mechanisms that underlie enzymes' enormous catalytic proficiency and exquisite specificity. Practical kinetics sections discuss how to infer molecular mechanisms from rate/equilibrium measurements and their application to more complex biological systems, and include steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetics, and kinetics at the single molecule level.

A course that includes a seminar on selected topics from outside faculty on recent advances in biochemistry. Students will participate in the seminar along with a formal discussion section with visiting faculty.

Presentations and discussion of research at Caltech in biology and chemistry. Discussions of responsible conduct of research are included.

Students may register for research units after consultation with their adviser.