An understanding of structure–function relationships in proteins is essential for modern biochemical studies. The integration of common freely accessible bioinformatics tools available online with the knowledge of protein-engineering tools provide a fundamental understanding of the application of protein structure–function for biochemical research. In order for students to apply their prior knowledge of recombinant protein technology into the understanding of protein structure–function relationships, we developed a semester-long project-oriented biochemistry laboratory experience that is the second laboratory course of a series. For easier integration of knowledge and application, we organized this course into four sequential modules: protein structure visualization/modification, mutagenesis target identification, site-directed mutagenesis, and mutant protein expression, purification, and characterization. These tasks were performed on the protein small laccase (SLAC) that was cloned and characterized by students in the previous semester during the first biochemistry laboratory course of the series. This goal-oriented project-based approach helped students apply their prior knowledge to newly introduced techniques to understand protein structure–function relationships in this research-like laboratory setting. A student assessment before and after the course demonstrated an overall increase in learning and enthusiasm for this topic.

中文翻译：

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一个以项目为导向的生物化学实验室，使用来自天蓝色链霉菌的小漆酶进行蛋白质工程和结构功能

了解蛋白质的结构与功能关系对于现代生化研究至关重要。将在线提供的常见可免费获取的生物信息学工具与蛋白质工程工具的知识相结合，提供了对蛋白质结构-功能在生化研究中的应用的基本理解。为了让学生将重组蛋白技术的先验知识应用到对蛋白质结构与功能关系的理解中，我们开发了一个为期一个学期的、以项目为导向的生物化学实验室体验，这是该系列实验课程的第二门。为了更容易地整合知识和应用，我们将本课程分为四个连续模块：蛋白质结构可视化/修饰、诱变目标识别、定点诱变以及突变蛋白表达、纯化和表征。这些任务是在蛋白质小漆酶 (SLAC) 上执行的，该酶是学生上学期在该系列的第一门生物化学实验室课程中克隆和表征的。这种以目标为导向、基于项目的方法帮助学生将他们的先验知识应用到新引入的技术中，以了解这种类似研究的实验室环境中的蛋白质结构-功能关系。课程前后的学生评估表明，学生对该主题的学习和热情全面提高。