This course will introduce key concepts in modern bioconjugation/ligation chemistry. The current state of the art in methods for selectively linking biomolecules (e.g. native chemical ligation, oxime/hydrazone ligations, triazole ligations, intein fusion methods) will be presented, along with applications of these methods to contemporary challenges in biomolecular science.

Content will be delivered through six one-hour lectures, a one-hour tutorial and a three-hour workshop.

None

One piece of coursework consisting of a report (ca. 1500 words) critically evaluating a recent paper that features a bioconjugation protocol of the types discussed in the lecture material (25 %).

One exam covering the lectured content (75 %).

The aim of this course is to familiarise the students with the capabilities afforded by modern (bio)chemical techniques for fusing together different chemical functionalities selectively and under mild conditions. Students will gain an appreciation for how these methods can be used to address contemporary challenges in biomolecular sciences including chemical biology.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate the desirable properties in a bioconjugation protocol.

2. Describe and critically evaluate contemporary chemical ligation protocols.

3. Describe and critically evaluate 21st amino acid technologies and their applications.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.