Courses:

Course Info

• Course Number / Code:
• 5.48J (Fall 2007) 
• Course Title:
• Protein Folding Problem 
• Course Level:
• Undergraduate / Graduate 
• Offered by :
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  Massachusetts, United States  
• Department:
• Biology 
• Course Instructor(s):
• Prof. Jonathan King 
• Course Introduction:
•  
• 
  
  7.88J / 7.24J / 5.48J / 10.543J Protein Folding Problem
  
  
  
  

  Fall 2007

  
  
  

  
  
  

  Course Highlights

  
  
  

  
  
  7.88J / 7.24J / 5.48J / 10.543J Protein Folding Problem
  
  
  
  

  Fall 2007

  
  
  

  

  Model pathway for a newly synthesized polypeptide chain emerging from the ribosome and folding to its native state, as well as an off-pathway inactive aggregated state. (Image by Prof. Jonathan King.)

  
  
  

  Course Description

  
  
  

  This course focuses on the mechanisms by which the amino acid sequence of polypeptide chains (proteins), determine their three-dimensional conformation. Topics in this course include sequence determinants of secondary structure, the folding of newly synthesized polypeptide chains within cells, folding intermediates aggregation and competing off-pathway reactions, and the unfolding and refolding of proteins in vitro. Additional topics covered are the role of helper proteins such as chaperonins and isomerases, protein recovery problems in the biotechnology industry, and diseases found associated with protein folding defects.