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Teaching Protein Purification and Characterization Techniques. A Student-Initiated, Project-Oriented Biochemistry Laboratory Course
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Abstract
This report describes a biochemistry laboratory that is completely project-oriented. Upper-level biology and chemistry majors work in teams to purify a protein of their choice. After the student groups have completed literature searches, ordered reagents, and made buffers they continue to learn basic protein purification and biochemical techniques as needed during the semester. As the protein purifications progress the students encounter many common problems associated with attempting to reproduce published protein purifications. The students gain valuable problem-solving skills and work in a research group environment. The culmination of the course requires some characterization of the protein, a formal laboratory report, and a final presentation. Students characterize their proteins using activity assays or techniques such as infrared or circular dichroism to study protein structure or unfolding. Day-to-day laboratory experiences resemble an active undergraduate research laboratory. This laboratory is unstructured and works to integrate research and education and retain students in the sciences by exposing them to a completely open-ended, inquiry-based laboratory.
Keywords (Audience):
Upper-Division UndergraduateKeywords (Domain):
BiochemistryKeywords (Pedagogy):
Hands-On Learning / ManipulativesKeywords (Subject):
Biophysical ChemistryCiting Articles
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This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).
Preparative Protein Production from Inclusion Bodies and Crystallization: A Seven-Week Biochemistry Sequence
Megan J. Peterson, W. Kalani Snyder, Shelley Westerman, and Benjamin J. McFarlandJournal of Chemical Education2011 88 (7), 986-989Preparative Protein Production from Inclusion Bodies and Crystallization: A Seven-Week Biochemistry Sequence
Megan J. Peterson, W. Kalani Snyder, Shelley Westerman, and Benjamin J. McFarlandJournal of Chemical Education2011 88 (7), 986-989We describe how to produce and purify proteins from Escherichia coli inclusion bodies by adapting versatile, preparative-scale techniques to the undergraduate laboratory schedule. This 7-week sequence of experiments fits into an annual cycle of research ...
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- Received: August 03, 2009
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