This course aims to address scientific controversies in structural biology through a discussion-based process. Additionally, students will be introduced to major structural biological determination techniques. Strengths and weaknesses of these techniques will be explored in the primary literature, and students will examine how to avoid the pitfalls of their misuse.
Some of the specific topics to be covered in this course are:
- Biophysical approaches for structural studies
- Roles of biomolecular structures in various diseases
- Latest breakthroughs in structural biology
- Better understanding of biological function from structure and dynamics
- In-depth learning from controversial scientific findings
- Development of scientific presentation skills
Course Requirements:
There are no exams in this course. There will be some quiz questions for this course that will be asynchronous and will consist of short answer and essay questions that will be submitted via Canvas during a designated time frame. Moreover journal club presentations will be graded by the students based on a rubric that will be provided to them. These grades will be submitted directly to the instructor by email and I will import them in Canvas. Moreover special assignments will be provided that will be graded asynchronously.
Lectures for this course will be recorded and made available asynchronously. We will also hold discussion sessions and student journal club presentations that require synchronous participation through Zoom.
Class Format:
This course will be offered in hybrid format. This course welcomes entirely online participation. While there will be optional in-person components, no part of this course requires you to be on campus or present in-person. The lectures for this course can be recorded and made available asynchronously. We will also have weekly discussion sessions and student journal club presentations that require synchronous participation through Zoom.