CHEM 5514 Redox Biochemistry and Human Health

This course is designed as an advanced biochemistry elective themed around the role of redox-dependent biochemical reactions in cells and living systems. Throughout this course students will continue to build their understanding of enzymatic catalysis, metabolic pathways, and protein regulation across three themed modules: 1) Redox Enzymes: Structure and Function focusing on the roles of redox and metal cofactors in biological electron transfer and catalysis; 2) Redox Metabolism: Biosynthesis and Energetics examining how living organisms use redox reactions for secondary metabolite biosynthesis and cellular energy generation; and 3) Redox Regulation: Oxidative Stress and Signaling exploring redox-dependent protein and gene regulation by reactive molecular species. The impact of redox processes on human health will be analyzed through both classroom discussions and student-led presentations of the primary scientific literature, including how loss of redox protein function and dysregulation of reactive species give rise to common human diseases, such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and bacterial infection. Pre-requisites are one year of organic chemistry and one year of biochemistry.