I have been teaching a couple of courses quite regularly since I joined IISER Bhopal. In the odd semester, we offer a course on Structural Biology (403) as part of theBS-MS (Dual Degree) programme.It is also offered to PhD students (623). It is a four-credit course (Three hours of lecture per week), aimed to build the foundation in protein and nucleic acid structure. I begin with the introduction to the hierarchy of protein structure; spend a couple of lectures on refreshing the distance, angle and torsion angle calculations using basic vector algebra. Introduce the students towards the forces that shape up the biomolecules. Myself, I have taken a similar course (Protein confirmation) at MBU, IISc, Bangalore taught by Prof. C Ramakrishnan (CR), one the GN Ramachandran’s students, during my PhD days. The lucid teaching method which CR adapted with a stick representing a chemical bond inspires and makes me improvise real life examples in my lectures. I try to convince students; particularly the ones with immense interest in the sections other than biomolecular structures to at least remember that there exists a rule which says which conformation is right and which one could be wrong. Almost till mid semester exam, I drag on to discuss about various topics on protein structure, like domains (how to define), fold and Super-secondary structures. I also touch upon the historical triple helix structure of collagen. The students are introduced to some of the practical aspects such as how to compare (superimpose), determine protein-ligand interaction, etc. using freely available software. A few classes are spent to discuss conformational flexibility in DNA, various types of DNA structures. Post mid-semester exam, I focus on the structures of RNA. The course is concluded with discussions on various large macromolecular assemblies such as virus particle, Ribosome, etc. The course requires basic knowledge on biomolecules. I extensively use Swiss PDB viewer during the lectures to demonstrate various 3d aspects. Most of the assignments are worked out using the software. The detail course content is provided in the curriculum. I mostly follow two text books, 1. Protein structures are covered from the book by Schulz andSchirmar called, Principle of protein structures. 2. Nucleic acid structure is followed from the text book on structural biology by Anders Liljas
For the last few years, I have started taking a course on fundamental of Biochemistry (Bio 303/603), mostly introducing the undergraduate Biology students to the world of biomolecules, their functions, specifically focussing on enzymes and their properties. I tend to follow Voet and Voet as well as Lehninger’s books. For the numericals, Segl’s Biochemical calculations is the book I follow.
I have also taught a course on Cell biology for the undergraduate Biology major students (Bio301/Bio601). The text book by Pollard and Earnshaw and Karp’s Cell biology are the ones I prefer to teach from.
During even semester, I have been teaching a course on Biochemistry. The course is again a mandatory course for the 3 rd year students enrolled in BS-MS (Dual Degree) programme. In the odd semester the third year BS-MS students take a course on Biochemistry which builds foundation in biochemistry with introduction of principle of enzyme activity, membrane structure and function, etc. It concludes with initiation of the fundamental metabolic processes, such as Glycolysis and TCA cycle. I begin from TCA cycle as refreshment. I have to confess; as a master student this course was the least appealing to myself. Therefore, I make a sincere effort to prevent students thinking the same about this course when they reach my stage after 10-15 years. This course is designed to teach various topics in metabolism. It begins with a very basic understanding on second law of thermodynamics to describe feasibility of a given metabolic process. I mainly focus on teaching concepts in electron transport chain using basic understanding in thermodynamics. A detail description of the system is followed from Voet and Voet. It is followed by fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism and a very organized and brief description of nucleotide metabolism. Few lectures at the end are used to appreciate how these various metabolic processes are coordinated by hormonal activity and energy need in human body. Molecular basis of various human metabolic disorders are discussed briefly at the appropriate times. I mainly follow Principles of Biochemistry by Voet and Voet but also recommend Lehninger as a good read.
Reference :
- 1. Principles of protein structure by G E Schulz and R H Schirmer (Springer)
- 2. Text book of structural biology by Anders Liljas (World scientific)
- 3. Protein structures and molecular properties by Thomas Crighton (W H Freeman)
- 4. Principles of Biochemistry by Voet and Voet (wiley)
- 5. Lehninger principles of biochemistry by Nelson and Cox (W H Freeman)
- 6. Biochemical Calculations by Irwin Segal
- 7. Karp’s Cell and Molecular Biology, Willey.
- 8. Cell Biology by Pollard and Earnshaw
