Bioorganic Chemistry -- Writing Intensive

3 units

This course presents a molecule-centered perspective on the current state of the art in antibiotic drug discovery and natural products chemistry. The molecular mechanisms of antibiotic drug action and pathogen resistance will be covered along with the biosynthetic origins of antibiotics from plants and microbes. The course is taught from the perspective of understanding how organic chemistry plays out in biological systems, with an emphasis on small organic molecules and enzymes. Curved arrow mechanisms will be used frequently in learning activities and assignments. A working knowledge of protein structure and function is helpful. Students are encouraged (but not required) to take General Biochemistry I and/or General Biochemistry II in preparation for this course. Students will be responsible for writing a review article on an assigned antibiotic molecule and presenting their paper to the class. This course satisfies the Writing Intensive requirement.