Protein engineering and proteomics

The course provides an introduction to protein biotechnology and the basic knowledge required for the production and stabilization of wild-type and new protein forms within biotechnological industry,for the protein purification in a preparative scale and includes different modern bioanalytical techniques. The course aims at giving students in-depth understanding of 1) the structure-function relationship of proteins and of 2) the methodologies used to produce, characterize and use proteins and enzymes, and 3) the molecular basis and protein engineering tools available for designing enzymes or proteins with new or desirable functions. The course will have a strong hands-on connotation based on practical sessions either of experimental design and bioinformatics in classroom and practical activities in lab.

At the end of the course the student will be able to implement the notions of molecular biology, genetic engineering and proteomics for the production and improvement of proteins and enzymes. The student will be able to analyze the structure of proteins and their post-translational modifications; review the main factors that are significant for protein folding processes and stability; explain how proteins can be used for different industrial applications, carry out mutagenesis approaches to improve protein stability and to confer on them new functions.