Aim
The aim of the course is to give an overview of biochemistry and biotechnology and basic abilities in practical biochemical laboratory work.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to describe the structure and properties of proteins and enzymes

• be able to describe the possibilities of modern biotechnology within foods and medicine

• be able to describe areas of technical use of enzymes

• be able to give an overview of cellular energy metabolism

• be able to describe the relation between genes and proteins

• be able to describe the fundamentals for culturing cells and microorganisms

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to handle some common biochemical laboratory techniques

• be able to create and discuss a poster with biochemical or biotechnological content

Contents
The course gives a broad overview of biochemistry and biotechnology. Cells and microorganisms are described, both their properties and how to culture them. The biomolecules of the cell, e.g. nucleic acids and proteins are described as well as their relation to each other. The possibilities of modern biotechnology within foods, medicine and other areas are discussed as well as different areas of use of enzymes. The course also gives a general overview of cellular metabolism, especially degradation of foodstuff and the energy transformations.
A deeper understanding of a specific area is obtained by making a poster.
The laboratory practical deals with purification of plasmid DNA and the use of PCR.

Literature
Jouper-Jaan, Å., Lidesten, B-M. and Strömberg, E: Helix - i bioteknikens tjänst, Studentlitteratur 2004. ISBN 91-44-02398-7
Larsson, P-O and Månsson, M-O: Kompendium i enzymteknologi
Månsson, M-O: Kompendium i metabolism

Code: 0105. Name: Biological Chemistry and Engineering, Theory.
Higher education credits: 6. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: Written examination. Merits from a passed poster assesment are added to the merits from the written examination. Contents: The course gives a broad overview of biochemistry and biotechnology. Cells and microorganisms are described, both their properties and how to cultivate them. The biomolecules of the cell, e.g. nucleic acids and proteins are described as well as their relation to each other. The possibilities of modern biotechnology within foods, medicin and other areas are discussed as well as different areas of use of enzymes. The course also gives a general overview of cellular metabolism, especially degradation of foodstuff and the energy transformations.

Code: 0205. Name: Biological Chemistry and Engineering, Practicals.
Higher education credits: 1,5. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: A passed report. Contents: The laboratory practical deals with purification of plasmid DNA and the use of PCR.