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TEACHER PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
CUTTING EDGE CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
Tuesday 9th December 2008
A lecture series that highlights the role of the chemist in the study and manipulation of biological systems
Chemical biology is an interfacial discipline that spans the fields of chemistry and biology. It involves the applications of chemical tools and techniques to the study and manipulation of biological systems. Chemical biology has historical and philosophical roots in medicinal chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, pharmacology, biochemistry and metabolic engineering.
Metabolomics is the study of small chemical molecules in a biological system. The study of these compounds requires the use of instrumentation and techniques that have their basis in the world of the chemist. Instruments include gas liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Metabolic Engineering is a new approach to understanding and using metabolic processes. As the name implies, metabolic engineering is the targeted and purposeful alteration of metabolic pathways found in an organism in order to better understand and use cellular pathways for chemical transformation, energy transduction etc. Knowledge acquired from this research will benefit society in a number of ways, including the ability to modify biological pathways; allowing greater agricultural production, permitting more efficient and safer energy production, and; providing better understanding of the metabolic basis for some medical conditions that could assist in the development of new cures.
Proposed Program
| 09.15: |
Registration
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| 09.30: |
Welcome- “An introduction to Metabolomics”, Dave De Souza, Bio21 Institute |
| 09.45: |
Lecture 1: “Detecting therapeutic agents in scorpion venom via Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry”, Paul O’Donnell, Bio 21 Institute. |
| 10.45: |
Morning tea |
| 11.10: |
Lecture 2: Applying metabolomics to the study of drought tolerance in barley. Dr. Ute Rosiner, Bio 21 Institute. |
| 12.00: |
Lunch (provided). |
| 13.00: |
Lecture 3: “Chemists help biologists out of a sticky situation!” Dr. Tony Chiovitti, GTAC Education Officer. Applying contemporary physicochemical techniques to elucidate the composition and properties of the adhesive of the biofouling alga Toxarium undulatum. |
| 14.15: |
Lecture 4: “Chemistry, Physics and Biology: how three sciences play a role in cheese making” Dr. Sally Gras, Bio 21 Institute. |
| 15.30: |
Finish |
To make a booking, e-mail the GTAC Administrative Assistant
Cost/ participant: $90-00 (ex GST)
Participants receive a Certificate of Participation for VIT registration purposes.
Please note that lecture titles may change and that the program may be modified due to factors outside GTAC’s control.
Click here to view booking procedures.
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