Skip to main content

BB2020 Molecular Enzymology 7.5 credits

Choose semester and course offering

Choose semester and course offering to see current information and more about the course, such as course syllabus, study period, and application information.

Application

For course offering

Autumn 2024 Start 28 Oct 2024 programme students

Application code

51210

Headings with content from the Course syllabus BB2020 (Autumn 2019–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

  • Enzyme classification and nomenclature
  • Enzyme kinetics with single and multiple substrates
  • Reversible, irreversible and product inhibition of enzymes
  • Enzyme catalysis: transition-state theory and activation energy
  • Catalytic principles and chemical mechanisms
  • Catalytic amino acids and pH-profiles of enzymes
  • Practical methods in enzymology: introduction to practical studies of enzyme kinetics, inhibition, reaction mechanisms, detection of intermediates, active-site titration
  • Linear and nonlinear curve fitting of experimental data to kinetic models
  • Introduction to computer graphics as a tool to visualize enzyme structures, catalytic amino acids and enzyme-substrate/inhibitor complexes

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student should be able to:

  • Calculate different enzyme parameters from experimental data using selected models and examine, compare and explain the results (TEN1)
  • Summarize research literature about an enzyme in a report regarding its chemical and kinetic mechanism of catalysis and enzyme-substrate interactions (INL1)
  • Plan, design and perform laboratory exercises on enzyme catalysis; select a valid model based on experimental data and calculate kinetic parameters using non-linear curve fitting; summarise and discuss the results in a report (LAB1)
  • Higher grade (A-D) requires that the student can apply acquired knowledge to compute, explain and evaluate increasingly more complex questions (TEN1)

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

At least 150 credits from grades 1, 2 and 3 of which at least 100 credits from years 1 and 2, and bachelor's work must be completed. The 150 credits should include a minimum of 20 credits within the fields of Mathematics, Numerical Analysis and Computer Sciences, 5 of these must be within the fields of Numerical Analysis and Computer Sciences, 20 credits of Chemistry, possibly including courses in Chemical Measuring Techniques and 20 credits of Biotechnology or Molecular Biology.

Recommended prerequisites

KD1090 Organic chemistry 1, KD1100 Organic chemistry 2, BB1080/BB1090 Biochemistry or BB1050 Biotechnology for K.

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

No information inserted

Examination and completion

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

  • INL1 - Literature Task, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • LAB1 - Laborator Work, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • TEN1 - Home exam, 4.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Other requirements for final grade

The requirement for a final grade is grade E on the written exam (TEN1) and grade P on the laboratory course (LAB1) and on the literature exercise (INL1).

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

No information inserted

Examiner

Ethical approach

  • All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
  • In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
  • In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information

Course room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.

Offered by

Main field of study

Biotechnology

Education cycle

Second cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Supplementary information

Students are required to sign up at least two weeks in advance for examination.

The course is given provided at least seven students are admitted.