PROTEIN ENGINEERING

Degree course: 
Corso di Second cycle degree in MOLECULAR AND INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
Academic year when starting the degree: 
2020/2021
Year: 
2
Academic year in which the course will be held: 
2021/2022
Course type: 
Compulsory subjects, characteristic of the class
Credits: 
6
Period: 
First Semester
Standard lectures hours: 
48
Detail of lecture’s hours: 
Lesson (48 hours)
Assessment: 
Voto Finale

Lecturer: Prof. Loredano Pollegioni
6 credits or 48 hours of lectures. The program is divided into two parts which deal with the following topics:
a) Structure and function relationship in proteins
- Introduction to the structure of proteins; structural classification of proteins
- Protein synthesis: mechanisms and regulation
- Experimental and in silico methods of protein structure determination
- Post-translational changes and protein targeting
- Protein folding (in vitro and in vivo)
- Protein degradation (lysosomal and proteasomic system)
- Membrane proteins: relationship between structure and function
b) Protein Engineering:
- De novo protein design (of structures and functions): methods and examples
- Rational design: theory and experimental methods. Examples
- Molecular docking: theory and examples
- Irrational design: theory and experimental methods of directed evolution. Examples
- Screening methods
- Protein stability engineering: theory, methods and examples.

Slides of the lessons: downloadable from the e-learning site
Books:
Arnold F. H., Georgiou G. Directed Enzyme Evolution: Screening and Selection Methods (Methods in Molecular Biology) (Humana Press)
Arnold F. H., Georgiou G. Directed Evolution Library Creation: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology) (Humana Press)
Branden C. e Tooze J., Introduction to protein structure (Garland Publ.)
Bross P. e Gregersen N. Protein misfolding and disease, Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 232 (Humana Press).
Garett-Grisham "Principi di Biochimica" (PICCIN)
Matthews, Van Holde, Ahern, “Biochimica” (Casa Editrice Ambrosiana)
Voet D, Voet JG, Pratt CW "Fondamenti di Biochimica" (Zanichelli)
The material useful to complete the preparation (scientific papers and reviews) will be downloadable from the e-learning site. Additional material will also be available at request.

The "Protein Engineering" module consists of 48 hours of lectures. All activities will take place in the presence of the instructor in charge. Each lesson will be carried out by treating a specific topic with the aid of powerpoint presentations, available in advance on the e-learning platform. During the lessons, case studies published in scientific journals of the field will also be presented, which will be provided as didactic material.

Reception preferably by appointment (by request via e-mail). Prof. Pollegioni replies only to e-mails signed and coming from the domain @ uninsubria.it.

The lecturer is available for in-depth meetings or discussions for groups of students.