Handbook

The composition, structure and reactivity of enzymes are studied.  The enhancement of reactivity in enzymic reactions, from both a kinetic and mechanistic viewpoint, and methods of enzyme inhibition are discussed.  The use of NMR spectroscopy to determine the three-dimensional structure of proteins is discussed, in particular multi-dimensional NOE techniques.  The structure and function of DNA and RNA are then examined.  Topics covered include replication, transcription, translation and gene regulation.  The course concludes with an examination of the general aspects of inorganic chemistry in biological systems, in particular the role of metals in medicine.  Metallo-drugs that interact with DNA and/or proteins, e.g. cisplatin and ruthenium(II) complexes that have shown recent potential as anticancer and antimicrobial agents, are of particular interest.  Aspects of cell biology, for both eukaryotic cells and bacteria, will also be introduced to help gain a deeper understanding of why these metallo-drugs have (or may have) clinical value.