Protein Characterization: A Database-Based Approach for Analyzing Protein Structure and Function
Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2019, Volume 40
Alma E. Rodriguez Estrada
Abstract
The study of proteins structure and function is essential in biochemistry courses. Once a basic understanding of the four levels of protein structure is achieved, and general information about their function is learned, an additional challenge would further cement and evaluate students’ ability to understand and explain how protein structure often dictates its function and how structural changes, due to mutations or altered cellular environments, could potentially affect its function. The term paper “protein characterization” is a written assignment (mini-term paper) that students complete during several weeks in a biochemistry course. Students choose a protein of interest and explore the Protein Data Bank (PDB) in order to retrieve information related to the three-dimensional structure, amino acid sequence and protein annotation. In this mini workshop, participants become involved in the inquiry process that students experience while completing this assignment. Participants will use the PDB website and the Jmol software to examine proteins. The presenter will also share the instructions and rubrics used to asses this assignment.
Keywords: Biochemistry, protein characterization, Protein Data Bank (PDB), Jmol
