BCH 294
Introductory Biochemistry Seminar
Spring, 2012
Goal: This course serves as an introduction to biochemical research at the University of Montana
and provides an introduction to the biochemical literature. A selection of papers that mark
significant advances in biochemistry over the last ~50 years will be discussed.
When:
Tuesdays from 3:10 to 4:00 pm, in Chem 212
Instructor:
Bruce Bowler, Chem 310, x6114, bruce.bowler@umontana.edu
Text:
Selected articles from the biochemical literature
Course Format: The course will alternate weekly between a presentation by a faculty member on
their research and discussion of a paper from the biochemical literature. In the
Research presentation class period, faculty will discuss their research and then
introduce the paper to be discussed the following week.
Written Assignments:
 At the end of each Research presentation class period, students will hand in a written answer
to a question posed by the instructor. The question may relate to the instructor’s research or to
the introduction to the paper.
 Students will prepare two or more questions about the reading assignment in advance of each
Discussion class period. Students will hand in their questions at the end of the Discussion
class period.
Evaluation:
a) Research Presentation questions
b) Discussion questions
50% of grade
50% of grade
Notes:
 Late assignments will be given a grade of zero.
 Course will be graded CR/NCR.
 See Cyberbear, Catalog, and/or Student Conduct Code for policies regarding incomplete grades,
disability accommodations, definition and potential consequences of plagiarism, and late-drop
requirements.
Month
January
February
Day
Topic
24 » Research presentation by Sandy Ross, Chemistry & Biochemistry
 Protein:DNA interactions
» Introduction to Watson and Crick and the DNA Double helix
31
» Discussion of Watson and Crick and the DNA Double helix
Reading: Watson J.D.; Crick F.H.C. A Structure for Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid
Nature (1953) 171, 737-738.
7
» Research presentation by Bruce Bowler, Chemistry & Biochemistry
 Probing protein folding intermediates by electron transfer methods
» Introduction to Anfinsen’s Thermodynamic Hypothesis
14
» Discussion of Christian Anfinsen and the Thermodynamic Hypothesis of Protein
Folding
Reading: Haber, E.; Anfinsen, C. B. Side chain Interactions Governing the
Pairing of Half-cystine Residues in Ribonuclease. Journal of Biological
Chemistry (1962) 237, 1839-1844.
Month
March
April
May
Day
Topic
21 » Research presentation by Kent Sugden, Chemistry & Biochemistry
 Chromium lesions on DNA
» Introduction to Frederick Sanger and dideoxy sequencing
28
» Discussion of Frederick Sanger and dideoxy sequencing
Reading: Sanger, F.; Nicklen, S.; Coulson, A. R. DNA sequencing with chainterminating inhibitors. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the
United States of America (1977) 74, 5463-5467
6
» Research presentation by Klara Briknarova, Chemistry & Biochemistry
 NMR structural studies on proteins
» Introduction to Kurt Wüthrich and 2D NMR of proteins
13
» Discussion of Kurt Wüthrich and 2D NMR of proteins
Reading: Wider, G; Lee, K. H.; Wüthrich, K. Sequential Resonance Assignments
in Protein 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectra. Journal of Molecular
Biology (1982) 155, 367-388.
20
» Research presentation by Brent Ryckman
 Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication
» Introduction to mechanism of infection of Epstein-Barr virus
27
» Discussion of mechanism of infection of Epstein-Barr virus
Reading: Borza, C.M.; Hutt-Fletcher, L. M. Alternate Replication in B cells and
Epithelial Cells Switches Tropism of Epstein-Barr Virus. Nature Medicine
(2002) 8, 594-599.
3
» Spring Break, No class
10
» Research presentation by Steve Lodmell, DBS
 RNA viruses and HIV
» Introduction to Tom Cech and Catalytic RNA and the RNA world
17
» Discussion of Tom Cech and Catalytic RNA and the RNA world
Reading: Kruger, K.; Grabowski, P. J.; Zaug, A. J.; Sands, J.; Gottschling, D.
E.; Cech, T. R. Self-splicing RNA: Autoexcision and Autocyclization of the
Ribosomal RNA Intervening Sequence of Tetrahymena. Cell (1982) 31, 147-157.
24
» Research presentation by Steve Sprang, DBS
 Structure and function of G proteins
» Introduction to the -adrenergic receptor-Gs protein complex
1
» Discussion of the -adrenergic receptor-Gs protein complex
Reading: Rasmussen S. G.; Liu T.; Li, S.; DeVree, B. T.; Chae, P. S.; Calinski D.,
Kobilka, B. K.; Woods, V. L. Jr.; Sunahara R. K. et al. Structure of the  2
Adrenergic Receptor-Gs Protein Complex. Nature (2011) 477, 611-615.