Computer Modeling of Biological Macromolecules - Lecture (100.705)
Instructor: Dr. L. Mario Amzel

Lectures will offer an introduction to the mathematical aspects of computer representation and manipulation of macromolecules followed by discussions of important topics in the computational chemistry of macromolecules including: forces and potential fields, molecular mechanics, Monte Carlo methods and others. A laboratory course can be taken simulateously (100.712) as a complement.
Course Dates: Thursdays, February 7, 2008 - May 15, 2008, - 2:00 - 4:00 pm WBSB 607 (Library)

Computer Modeling of Biological Macromolecules - Lab (100.712)
Instructor: Dr. Mario A. Bianchet

The laboratory will familiarize students with practical aspects of Molecular Modeling. It teaches the necessary tools to create, manipulate and illustrate computer generated models of molecules of biological interest using public domain and commerical modeling programs. Techniques such as homology modeling of proteins, docking of drugs in proteins and other application will be introduced. A lecture course can be taken simultaneously (100.705).
Course Dates: Mondays, February 11, 2008 - May 19, 2008, 10:30 - 12:30 pm WBSB 607 (Library)

Fundamentals of Protein Crystallography (100.706)
Instructor: Dr. Cynthia Wolberger

This is an introductory course designed to present the core knowledge of protein crystallography necessary to function in the laboratory and read the literature. The emphasis will be on the theoretical underpinnings of macromolecular crystallography determination. The course will follow the text by Drenth and will require written homework.
Course Dates: Tuesdays & Fridays, March 25, 2008 - May 20, 2008, 2:30 - 3:45 p.m. WBSB 607 (Library)

Structure Determinatiion (100.711) - NOT OFFERED THIS YEAR
Instructor: Dr. Cynthia Wolberger

This course will cover macromolecular structure determination by x-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The lectures will build upon the introduction to protein and nucleic acid structure and analysis given in the course, “Macromolecular Structure and Analysis.” The course will emphasize structure determination methods and will cover the basic theory underlying x-ray crystallography and NMR, the steps in structure determination, and the application of these methods to addressing various questions in protein structure and function.