CH5612 Natural Products, Biosynthesis and Enzyme Co-factors

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

10

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

To be arranged.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof D O'Hagan

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Prof D O'Hagan, Prof T K Smith, Dr G J Florence

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The module will investigate the biosynthesis of the main natural products groups (polyketides, terpenes, alkaloids). Unifying features of their structures and biosynthesis will be described and methods for studying the biosynthesis of natural products will be taught (isotope tracer methods). The common enzyme co-factors (PLP, TPP, NADH, co-enzyme B12) will be highlighted and their mechanistic role in mediating enzymatic transformations will be explored.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST ( PASS 1 MODULE FROM {CH2601, CH2603} AND PASS AT LEAST 1 MODULE FROM {CH2501, CH2701} ) OR ( PASS 2 MODULES FROM {CH2501, CH2701} AND PASS CH1601 OR PASS CH1202 )

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 100%

Re-assessment

Oral Re-assessment = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 - 3 lectures per week over 9 - 10 weeks (within Weeks 1-11) and 2 - 3 tutorials in total.

Scheduled learning hours

20

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

80

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Understand the structure of the common enzyme co-factors
  • Understand the mechanism of the common co-factors and how that relates to structure
  • Understand how co-factors relate to vitamines.