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Presentation
Presentation
The Curricular Unit “Structural Biochemistry” allows the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and practical skills for the determination of the three-dimensional structure of macromolecules. This Curricular Unit focuses on instrumental analysis methodologies such as small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), X-ray crystallography (MX), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM).
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Class from course
Class from course
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Degree | Semesters | ECTS
Degree | Semesters | ECTS
Bachelor | Semestral | 5.5
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Year | Nature | Language
Year | Nature | Language
3 | Mandatory | Português
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Code
Code
ULHT2532-16918
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Prerequisites and corequisites
Prerequisites and corequisites
Not applicable
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Professional Internship
Professional Internship
Não
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Syllabus
Syllabus
Concepts about the structure of proteins, nucleic acids and supramolecular biological complexes. Main techniques for determining biological structures such SAXS, MX, NMR and cryo-EM. Data collection, reduction, analysis and validation of experimental results. Conceptual and analytical understanding of the structure-function relationship of biological macromolecules. Understanding of the structural relation of protein-binding, protein-ligand, protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid complexes. Interpretation of the structure-function relationship of proteins.
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Objectives
Objectives
Introduce and develop basic concepts, addressing the main instrumental methodologies of structural analysis of macromolecules of interest in the fields of Biochemistry and Structural Biology. This approach will highlight the basic principles of instrumental and structural analysis, as well as its applicability and selection criteria. Address the theoretical foundations of the methods, equipment and characteristics of use and analysis through the techniques and methods SAXS, MX, NMR and cryo-EM. These fundamentals allow the acquisition of skills for performing structural analysis, making it possible to identify similarities and differences, “pros and cons”, between the methodologies, as well as to define strategies for minimizing potential problems. The practices allow the development of technical skills fundamental to the execution of the analytical methods in question.
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Teaching methodologies
Teaching methodologies
The innovative methodologies to support the teaching-learning process used are essentially project-based learning, Flipped Classroom and Design Thinking.
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References
References
Branden, CI, & Tooze, J, "Introduction to Protein Structure" (1998) (2nd Ed.). Garland Science. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781136969898 Brito, JA & Archer M, "Chapter 10: Structural Biology Techniques: X-ray Crystallography, Cryo Electron Microscopy, and Small-Angle X-ray Scattering" (2020) in "Practical Approaches to Biological Inorganic Chemistry (2nd Edition)", Ricardo Louro and Robert Crichton (eds.), Elsevier (Oxford, UK). https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-64225-7.00010-9 Markwick PR, Malliavin T, Nilges M, "Structural biology by NMR: structure, dynamics, and interactions" (2008), PLoS Comput Biol 4(9):e1000168. https://10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000168
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Assessment
Assessment
Descrição
Data
Ponderação
Apresentação e discussão dos pósteres relativos ao trabalho prático “Cristalização da Lisozima”.
13.novembro.2025
25 %
Journal Club / Working Discussion
4.dezembro.2025
25 %
Teste escrito
11.dezembro.2025
40 %
Assiduidade*, preparação e participação em contexto de aula
Contínuo
10 %
Condicionantes:
1.) A Unidade Curricular obriga a uma assiduidade mínima de 75 % das aulas teóricas e de 75 % das aulas (teorico-)práticas previstas;
2.) A avaliação da Unidade Curricular pressupõe participação nos três momentos de avaliação previstos (poster, Journal Club e teste escrito);
3.) A nota mínima em cada momento de avaliação é de 9,50 valores.
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Mobility
Mobility
No
