BIOTECH 7050 - Protein Purification: Principles and Practice

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2021

Recombinant proteins offer ever-increasing commercial value to medicine and science, as pharmaceuticals, medical diagnostics, and as research tools. They also find more industrial applications as enzymes for energy production, cleaning, and waste management. Generation of high-value recombinant proteins requires specialised techniques to separate, or purify, the protein from the cells they are produced in. In this predominantly practical-based course, students will use and compare a range of protein purification techniques, such as affinity and ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration to produce a selected purified recombinant protein. Throughout the course, you will be introduced to protein handling and separation science in the laboratory, while complementary lectorials will reinforce the theories and procedures that are essential for protein purification. The skills acquired in this course will be applicable to a variety of industries, including biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and research institutions.

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Course Details

Course Code	BIOTECH 7050
Course	Protein Purification: Principles and Practice
Coordinating Unit	School of Biological Sciences
Term	Semester 2
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 7 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Restrictions	Available to students enrolled in the Master of Biotechnology (Biomedical) only
Assessment	Assessment of laboratory proficiency, laboratory note-book, practical reports, peer assessment, and tests

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Kate Wegener

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate sound knowledge of current protein purification techniques used in biomedical research and the biotechnology industry
2. Demonstrate practical laboratory skills in chromatography and protein purification.
3. Document laboratory procedures and data effectively in an electronic notebook.
4. Interpret and critically analyse experimental data relating to protein purification.
5. Effectively communicate results and conclusions to a broad audience.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1,2,3,4
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	1,2,4,5
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	3,5
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	1,2,3,4,5
Intercultural and ethical competency adept at operating in other cultures comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges	2
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	3,4,5

Learning Resources

Required Resources

No specific text book is required. A laboratory practical manual specific to the course with detailed experimental methodology will be provided. Suggested reading lists, journal articles, and web sites will be provided as required.

Online Learning

MyUni:
Course resources as provided including video/audio recording of lectures and copies of PowerPoint slides, as well as additional reading/recommended texts

Weblinks:
As specified during the course
Scientific literature and journal articles

LabArchives:

Students will be given access to LabArchives for electronic note taking
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course will be delivered by the following means:
1 x 1 hour lecture per week
1 x 6 hour practical session per fortnight

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Contact Hours (48 hours)
Lectures 12 x 1 = 12 hours
Practicals 6 x 6 = 36 hours

Non-contact Hours (108 hours)
Weekly reading/other study hours per lecture = 24 hours
Preparation for practicals 2 hour per fortnight = 12 hours
Preparation of lab-notebooks = 12 hours
Report = 36 hours
Test preparation= 24 hours

Total = approximately 156 hours

Learning Activities Summary

The course involves undertaking practical experience of protein purification using a variety of chromatographic techniques, including affinity, ion exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and size exclusion chromatography. Students will record their activities and results in an e-notebook and analyse and present their results as a report suitable for industry or a research field. Understanding of the techniques will be demonstrated through two written tests, conducted during the course.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment	Task Type	Due	Weighting	Learning Outcome
Laboratory proficiency	Formative and Summative	Week 12	10	1,2
E Notebook	Formative and Summative	Week 12	10	2,3
Tests	Formative and Summative	Week 6/12	40	1,4
Practical Reports	Formative and Summative	Week 7/12	40	1,4,5
Report peer assessment	Formative	Week 8	0	1,4,5

Assessment Detail

No information currently available.

Submission

No information currently available.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator