Integrating Computational Chemistry into a Project-Oriented Biochemistry Laboratory Experience: A New Twist on the Lysozyme Experiment
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Rachel R. Peterson [1] ; James R. Cox [1]
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[1] Murray State University
Murray State University
Estados Unidos
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- Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 78, Nº 11, 2001, pág. 1551
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
The biochemistry laboratory at many universities is becoming more focused on a project-oriented experience. For example, a single enzyme is chosen and studied throughout the entire semester. A project-oriented laboratory has been adapted and expanded to include computational and carbohydrate chemistry. Egg-white lysozyme was purified and characterized. To expand and update the experiment, a computational module was added in which a theoretical structure of tri-N-acetylchitotriose was produced through a conformational analysis. The theoretical conformation was compared to the lysozyme-bound conformation, which has been determined through X-ray methods. An aspect of molecular visualization was also used to help the students answer the question, "How are carbohydrates recognized by proteins?" Overall, students learned the basics of computational chemistry, the subtle aspects of carbohydrate structure, and protein purification and characterization, all within the context of a project-oriented laboratory.
