Protein Engineering & Analytics Laboratory

Graduate

This lab course covers fundamental molecular biology and protein analytics techniques, protein expression and purification (with emphasis on antibodies), introductory proteomics via mass spectrometry, and foundational structural biology methods including X-ray crystallography and EM. Fundamental techniques of molecular biology: PCR amplification, DNA extraction, endonuclease restriction enzymes, cloning, gel electrophoresis. Fundamentals of protein analytics, including SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, immunoassays, DLS and CD. Protein expression in E. coli and HEK293 cells, covering topics related to postranslational modifications, biochemistry of proteins, isolation techniques, subcellular localization, and protein activity. Special emphasis on antibodies. Protein purification using chromatographic techniques, sample formulation and storage. Introduction to proteomics: “top-down” MS for determination of intact mass by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and “bottom up” LC-MS and database searching for identification of proteins separated by gel electrophoresis. Introduction to structural biology: X-ray crystallography and EM Offered Winter Term