The course is organized over two weeks at the Biochemistry laboratory of Ecole Polytechnique.
During the first week, you will conduct a mini research project aimed at characterizing the active site of an essential enzymatic protein and performing a thorough study of the function of several amino acids in catalysis.
The purpose of this course is to introduce an experimental approach used to carry out a research project, to discover new methods, to discuss the merits of the use of these methods, their advantages and their limits. This course therefore provides useful tools in all areas of the molecular studies of biological processes.
Experimental work: site-directed mutagenesis, gene sequencing, protein purification, characterization of mutant proteins by in-depth study of their catalytic mechanisms, biophysical methods.
During the second week you will attend a series of lectures directly related to the experimental study of the first week.
A half-day will be devoted to the use of computer tools for the study of the phylogeny of RNAs and proteins and for the engineering of protein:ligand interactions.
Finally, three days will be devoted to electron microscopy applied to ribosomal complexes. The preparation of samples for electron microscopy and cryo-micoscopy will be introduced. You will be able to observe the grids prepared on one of the two microscopes available at Ecole polytechnique. Finally, you will also attend an introduction to the collection and processing of cryo-electron microscopy images to obtain the three-dimensional structure of your object of study. The advantages and limitations of this technique will be discussed throughout this training.
- Teaching coordinator: Gaillard Thomas
- Teaching coordinator: Mechulam Yves
- Teaching coordinator: Schmitt Emmanuelle