This unit focuses on protein structure and function, and analysis of proteins in the laboratory and by computer. Topics studied will include: an examination of protein structure and structural analysis; the relationship between protein structure and function in living organisms, studied using current examples; an introduction to protein evolution; the formation and degradation of native proteins in the cell including the targeting and post-translational processing of proteins; an introduction to protein engineering. Practical work will include protein isolation and assay; and introduction to protein databases. BCHM510 will cover material in greater depth than BCHM310, with separate assessments being completed.