Biomolecular Engineering

This course will focus on the structure, function, design and engineering of biomacromolecules and their use in modern biotechnologies. After a brief review of protein and nucleic acid chemistry and structure, we will delve into rational, evolutionary, and computational methods for the design and engineering of these biomolecules. Then we will review applications in the primary literature including: protein and RNA-based switches and sensors, unnatural amino acids and nucleotides, enzyme engineering, integration of these parts via synthetic biology, and metabolic engineering.