Duke University 2009-2010 - Office of the Registrar - Duke University

Richardson, J. Richardson, Siegel, Simon, Spicer, Stamler, Steege, Toone, York, and Zhou; Associate Professors
Fitzgerald, Greene, Kuehn, Oas; Assistant Professor Rusche; Professors Emeriti Fridovich, Gross, Hammes, Hill, Sage,
Webster; Adjunct Professors Bell and Blackshear
Graduate work in the Department of Biochemistry is offered leading to the PhD degree. Preparation for such
graduate study may take diverse forms. Undergraduate majors in chemistry, biology, mathematics, or physics are
welcome, but adequate preparation in chemistry is essential. Graduate specialization areas include protein structure
and function, crystallography and NMR of macromolecules, nucleic acid structure and function, lipid biochemistry,
membrane structure and function, molecular genetics, and enzyme mechanisms. The recommended core requirements
consist of mini-courses 258/259 and 267/268, and 291 (or equivalent training), and additional courses in the area of
specialization. The Biochemistry Department, in cooperation with the University Programs in Genetics, Cell and
Molecular Biology, Structural Biology and Biophysics, offers biochemistry students the opportunity to pursue
advanced research and study to fulfill the requirements for the PhD degree related to these fields.
Biochemistry (BIOCHEM)
200. General Biochemistry. An introductory survey of fundamental aspects of biochemistry with emphasis on the
structure of macromolecules, mechanism of enzyme action, metabolic pathways, biochemical genetics, and the
structure and functions of special tissues. Designed for medical students; graduate students only with consent of
instructor. Instructors: Kreuzer, Hershfield, McIntosh, Schachat, Garcia-Blanco, and Nicchitta. 4 units.
210. Research Independent Study. Individual research in a field of special interest, under the supervision of a faculty
member, the major product of which is a substantive paper or written report containing significant analysis and
interpretation of a previously approved topic. Designed for students interested in either a laboratory or a library project
in biochemistry. One course for undergraduate students. One to twelve units for graduate students. Instructor: Staff.
Variable credit.
222. Structure of Biological Macromolecules. Computer graphics intensive study of some of the biological macromolecules
whose three-dimensional structures have been determined at high resolution. Emphasis on the patterns and
determinants of protein structure. Two-hour discussion session each week along with computer-based lessons and
projects. Instructors: D. Richardson and J. Richardson. 3 units. C-L: Structural Biology and Biophysics 222,
Computational Biology and Bioinformatics 252
227. Introductory Biochemistry I: Intermediary Metabolism. Chemistry of the constituents of proteins, lipids,
carbohydrates, and nucleic acids and their metabolic interrelationships. Prerequisite: two semesters of organic
chemistry. Instructors: Greenleaf and staff. 3 units.
228. Introductory Biochemistry II. Structure, function, and biosynthesis of biological macromolecules and regulation
of their synthesis. Intermediary metabolism and metabolic utilization of energy. Biochemistry of biological membranes,
receptors, and signal transduction via membrane receptors. Prerequisite: organic chemistry and Biochemistry 227.
Instructors: Been and staff. 3 units.
258. Structural Biochemistry I. Principles of modern structural biology. Protein-nucleic acid recognition, enzymatic
reactions, viruses, immunoglobulins, signal transduction, and structure-based drug design described in terms of the
atomic properties of biological macromolecules. Discussion of methods of structure determination with particular
emphasis on macromolecular X-ray crystallography NMR methods, homology modeling, and bioinformatics. Students
use molecular graphics tutorials and Internet databases to view and analyze structures. Prerequisites: organic chemistry
and introductory biochemistry. Instructors: Beese and staff. 2 units. C-L: Cell and Molecular Biology 258, Cell Biology
258, University Program in Genetics 258, Immunology 258, Structural Biology and Biophysics 258, Computational
Biology and Bioinformatics 258
259. Structural Biochemistry II. Continuation of Biochemistry 258. Structure/function analysis of proteins as enzymes,
multiple ligand binding, protein folding and stability, allostery, protein-protein interactions. Prerequisites: Biochemistry
258, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and introductory biochemistry. Instructors: Hellinga and staff. 2 units.
C-L: Cell Biology 259, Immunology 259, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics 259, Structural Biology and
Biophysics 259, University Program in Genetics 259
265S. Seminar. Topics and instructors announced each semester. 2 units or variable. Instructor: Staff. Variable credit.
267. Biochemical Genetics I: DNA and Genome Stability. Chromosome structure, replication, repair, genetic
recombination, mutation and chromosome rearrangement. Minicourse, 1st half-semester. Instructors: Rusche and staff.
2 units.
268. Biochemical Genetics II: From RNA to Protein. Mechanisms of transcription, splicing, catalytic RNA, RNA
editing, mRNA stability and translation. Mini-course, 2nd half semester. Instructors: Steege and Staff. 2 units. C-L: Cell
Biology 268, Immunology 268, University Program in Genetics 268
291. Physical Biochemistry. Basic principles of physical chemistry as applied to biological systems. Topics include
thermodynamics, kinetics, statistical mechanics, spectroscopy, and diffraction theory. Concepts discussed in the context
of the biochemistry and behavior of biological macromolecules. Emphasis on quantitative understanding of biochemical
Departments, Programs, and Course Offerings 63