BMB Courses

BMB/Bi/Ch 170. Biochemistry and Biophysics of Macromolecules and Molecular Assemblies. 9 units (3- 0-6); first term. Prerequisites: Ch/Bi 110 ab. Detailed analysis of the structures of the four classes of biological molecules and the forces that shape them. Introduction to molecular biological and visualization techniques. Not offered in 2023-24.

BMB/Bi/Ch 173. Biophysical/Structural Methods. 9 units (3-0-6); second term. Basic principles of modern biophysical and structural methods used to interrogate macromolecules from the atomic to cellular levels, including light and electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, single molecule techniques, circular dichroism, surface plasmon resonance, mass spectrometry, and molecular dynamics and systems biological simulations. Instructors: Jensen, and other guest lecturers. Not offered in 2023-24.

BMB/Bi/Ch 174.  Advanced Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics. 6 units (3-0-3). First term. Prerequisites: Ch/Bi 110 ab or equivalent. Discussion of research fields in biochemistry and molecular biophysics at Caltech. Development of skills in literature analysis and information synthesis.  Instructor: Chong, Semlow, and guest lecturers.

BMB/Ch 178. Macromolecular Function: kinetics, energetics, and mechanisms. 9 units (3-0-6); first term. Prerequisites: Ch/Bi 110 ab or equivalent. Discussion of the energetic principles and molecular mechanisms that underlie enzyme's catalytic proficiency and exquisite specificity. Principles of allostery, selectivity, and enzyme evolution. Practical kinetics and their application to more complex biological systems, including steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetics, kinetic simulations, and kinetics at single molecule resolution. Instructor: Shan.

BMB/Ch 202 abc. Biochemistry Seminar Course. 1 unit; first, second, third terms. The course focuses on a seminar on selected topics from outside faculty on recent advances in biochemistry. Components for each faculty visit include participation in a recitation, a formal discussion section with visiting faculty, and attendance of the Biochemistry seminar. Biochemistry Seminars take place 1-2 times per month (usually 4pm on Thursdays).

BMB/Ch 230. Macromolecular Structure Determination with Modern X-ray Crystallography Methods. 12 units (2-4-6); third term. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor. Advanced course in macromolecular crystallography integrating lecture and laboratory treatment of diffraction theory, crystallization (proteins, nucleic acids and macromolecular complexes), crystal characterization, X-ray sources and optics, crystal freezing, X-ray diffraction data collection (in-house and synchrotron), data reduction, multiple isomorphous replacement, single- and multi-wavelength anomalous diffraction phasing techniques, molecular replacement, electron density interpretation, structure refinement, structure validation, coordinate deposition and structure presentation. In the laboratory component, one or more proteins will be crystallized and the structure(s) determined by several methods, in parallel with lectures on the theory and discussions of the techniques Instructor: Hoelz. Not offered in 2023-24.

Bi/BMB 251 abc. Current Research in Cellular and Molecular Biology. 1 unit. For course description, see Biology.

BMB 299. Graduate Research. Units to be arranged; first, second, third terms. Students may register for research units after consultation with their adviser.