BL4212 How Enzymes Work

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Module description

All cells depend on enzymes to catalyse the reactions that produce the energy required for life. Understanding enzymes and their regulation underpins research on, for example, drug development. This module will study how the structures and molecular functions of selected examples enable these biological roles and how to harness this understanding to develop enzymatic tools for the biotechnology industry. Topics will include natural RNA enzymes and in vitro engineered ribozymes for applications in biotechnology, elucidating the mode of action of enzyme inhibitors to provide insights into their therapeutic effects, and diaspartic and metal proteases in addition to other enzymes depending on the research interests of the academic staff. It will develop deductive skills, literature research, and communication of specific knowledge from reviews and primary research articles and will encourage integration of previous knowledge of protein structure and function, gene expression and metabolic regulation into the exploration of the cellular roles of enzymes