Course: Protein Engineering
Course code: CENG6000G
W 1500-1750
Room: 5506
Instructor:
Prof. Fei Sun (kefsun@ust.hk)
Rm 5577, Lift 27/28
Office hour: Friday 1000-11:00a or by appointment
Course web site:
https://canvas.ust.hk/courses/590
This course introduces fundamentals of protein science as well as rational design and
evolutionary approaches for engineering protein molecules. Protein fundamentals provide the
basic knowledge of protein structure and function. Rational design-based protein engineering use
several case studies to illustrate the role of modern computational tools in design of functional
protein molecules such as catalysts, biosensors, biomaterials, etc. Protein directed evolution
topics cover mechanisms of biomolecular evolution, fitness landscapes, examples of successful
protein evolution, and metabolic engineering enabled by directed evolution. Homework
assignments involve readings only.
Students are required to take a final examination (50%) and submit a research proposal inspired
by materials presented in the course (50%).
Final Project Instructions
Mid-term Pre-proposal Guidelines
Content: A pre-proposal: a brief description outlining a research project inspired by material
presented in the course
Length: 2 pages total (including figures and references)
Format: RGC guidelines
(Font : Times New Roman; Font Size : 12 point; Margin : 1-inch all round;
Spacing : Single-line)
Final Proposal Guidelines
Content: A research proposal inspired by material presented in the course
Length: 5 pages total (including figures and references)
Format: RGC guidelines
(Font : Times New Roman; Font Size : 12 point; Margin : 1-inch all round;
Spacing : Single-line)
• Specific Aims (brief unreferenced overview of motivation and goals followed by 2 or 3
bulleted specific aims)
• Significance (explain the importance of the problem, barrier, or concept that the project will
address)
• Innovation (describe the novelty of the proposed work)
• Approach (describe the research plan for each Specific Aim, address potential problems and
alternative strategies).
• References