Offered to students admitted to Year 1 in ALL
Major/Minor ALL
Course Type
Offer in 2024 - 2025 Y N
Course Code BIOL3404
Date2024/09/16 11:10
Enquiry for Course Details
BIOL3404 Protein structure and function (6 credits) Academic Year 2024
Offering Department Biological Sciences Quota 70
Course Co-ordinator Prof Y L Zhai, Biological Sciences < zhai@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof A K Lam,School of Biological Sciences)
(Prof Y L Zhai,School of Biological Sciences)
Course Objectives To provide students with a good understanding of protein structure, how structure subserves function, and the methods for study of both. This course provides a strong foundation for advanced courses in biochemistry and biotechnology.
Course Contents & Topics Elements of macromolecular structure: sequencing, prediction and determination of secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures;
The relationship of protein structure and function: molecular motifs,binding and recognition, enzyme catalysis and specificity;
Methods for protein structure determination: X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance and cryo electron microscopy;
How protein works: protein flexibility and dynamics, protein interaction, protein complex, and control of protein function;
Protein purification and characterization: various liquid chromatographical methods and their uses in combination, separation techniques, methods of determination of molecular mass, activity and
purity, optical methods in protein determination, ultracentrifugation, protein polishing, stability and storage, methods and devices for protein delivery.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 fundamental understanding of principles of protein structure
CLO 2 demonstrate a basic understanding of the relationship between protein structure and function
CLO 3 have a basic understanding of major methods for macromolecular structure determination
CLO 4 understand the principles regulating protein function in vivo
CLO 5 learn about the ways to purify protein and the many industrial uses of proteins
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in BIOC2600 or BIOL2220 or MEDE2301 or BMED2301
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2024 Major in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2024 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2024 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,3 >
2024 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,4 >
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 1,2 >
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2023 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2023 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,3 >
2023 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,4 >
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 1,2 >
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2022 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2022 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,3 >
2022 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,4 >
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 1,2 >
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2021 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2021 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,3 >
2021 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,4 >
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 1,2 >
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2020 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2020 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,3 >
2020 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,4 >
2020 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 1,2 >
2020 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
Offer in 2024 - 2025 Y        2nd sem    Examination May     
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A 1. Exceptionally good performance demonstrating comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. 2. Critical insight into the scientific literature. 3. Superior writing and group communication skills.
B 1. Good performance demonstrating full understanding of the subject matter. 2. Coherent insight into the scientific literature. 3. Good writing and group collaboration skills.
C 1. Satisfactory performance demonstrating adequate understanding of the subject matter. 2. Some insight into the scientific literature. 3. Adequate writing and group collaboration skills.
D 1. Limited performance demonstrating some understanding of basic subject matter. 2. Some ability to use the scientific literature. 3. Limited writing and group collaboration skills.
Fail 1. Poor understanding of subject matter. 2. Little to no insight into use of the scientific literature. 3. Unable to write or collaborate.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures 36
Tutorials 12
Reading / Self study 100
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 35 CLO 1,2,3,4,5
Examination 50 CLO 1,2,3,4,5
Presentation 15 CLO 1,2,3,4,5
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 None prescribed
To be announced.
Course Website NIL
Additional Course Information This course will be offered subject to a minimum enrollment number and availability of teachers.
Back  /  Home