BIOCHEMISTRY

This course highlights the mechanisms of biochemical reactions. It explains the basis of the activity of enzymes as biological catalysts. It is designed to explain the various ways in which enzymes act as catalysts such as their activity as proton donors/acceptors, catalysis based on their proximity to the substrate and the effect of conformation change on enzyme catalysis. The specificity of enzyme for particular substrates and why the rate of enzyme catalyzed reactions are accelerated many times over compared with the uncatalyzed counterparts will be examined. Useful skills will be imparted on different types of enzyme catalysis, enzyme models and the importance of metal ions and coenzymes in enzyme biochemistry.

This course highlights the mechanisms of biochemical reactions. It explains the basis of the activity of enzymes as biological catalysts. It is designed to explain the various ways in which enzymes act as catalysts such as their activity as proton donors/acceptors, catalysis based on their proximity to the substrate and the effect of conformation change on enzyme catalysis. The specificity of enzyme for particular substrates and why the rate of enzyme catalyzed reactions are accelerated many times over compared with the uncatalyzed counterparts will be examined. Useful skills will be imparted on different types of enzyme catalysis, enzyme models and the importance of metal ions and coenzymes in enzyme biochemistry.

This course entails understanding of the principles of industrial large scale production of enzymes (techniques in fermentations). Large-scale extraction and purification – a short review of microbial physiology and genetics. A review of general metabolic pathways, control and application in industrial processes. Secondary metabolism. Continuous culture methods: principles and applications. Industria fermentations (chemostat and its applications in industrial fermentation). Principles and design of immobilized- enzyme reactors. Characteristics of free versus immobilized enzymes. Immobilized coenzymes and cells. Enzyme utilization in industrial processes.

BCH 507 is a theoretical course aimed at giving the industrial application of biochemistry especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The course outline includes short review of microbial physiology and genetics, review of general metabolic pathway, control and application in industrial processes, continuous culture methods, principles and applications, the chemostat and its application in industrial fermentations, fermentations-alcoholic, amino acids, antibiotics and its and other secondary metabolites, primary and secondary metabolism, process evaluation and development, over production of metabolites – amino acids, taste enhancers, organisms of industrial importance, induction of mutation in micro-organisms and plants for the purpose of over production, strain selection/development and enhancement, gene dosage and its application in industrial processes.

Molecular structures and biophysical properties of protein, nucleic acids (DNA, RNA), carbohydrates, lipids. Measurement of molecular properties in solution (diffusion, osmotic pressure, shape, size, etc). Interactions between biological molecules. Instrumental methods in biophysics – microscopy, spectroscopy, sedimentation. Mechanisms in biophysics (DNA replication, mutations, enzyme catalysis, membrane function, active transport, sensory function of the nervous system, initiation and propagation of the nerve impulse

This course is designed to expose students to the basic principles of bioinformatics and computational biology. An introduction to information networks and bioinformatic tools on the internet will also be covered in the course. Other new concepts such as phylogenesis, protein structure prediction and comparative genomics will also be taught in the course.

BCH 502 is an advanced theoretical course aimed at giving the biochemical basis of the pharmacology of foreign substances. It seeks to define the molecular events underlying the presentations that Physicians manage.The course outline includes biochemical aspects of host-parasite relationships, metabolic factors affecting chemotherapeutic agents, theories of the mechanism of drug action, drug resistance, the physiological and biochemical actions of selected drugs, and Nigerian traditional medicinal plants in the management and therapy of common ailments

Biotechnology uses microorganisms and products to perform specific industrial processes and improve the quality of life. Advanced Biotechnology (BCH 504) is a theoretical course which builds on knowledge already acquired by students in Enzyme Biotechnology (BCH 505). It covers methods and applications of biotechnology, examines present and futuredevelopments in this area.This course provides an overview of microbial metabolism, biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites and examines in detail the different stages ofbiotechnological process. Students learn about fermentation products of microorganisms and their importance in food, health, agriculture and environment

This course is designed to expose the students to the basic concepts of anaerobic metabolism, isolation, cultivation and identification of anaerobes and the biochemical processes involved in manufacture of useful products by the microorganisms. The microbial production of beer, wine, bread, pharmaceutics and industrial chemicals will also be exposed. The mechanism and application of methanogenesis, as well as the present and future applications of biomass for energy and fuels will also be explored.

The course provides comprehensive information on the biochemical mechanisms and physiological actions of the normal functioning of vital organs such as the liver, kidney, nerves and muscles. The course gives understanding of how the blood and hormones functions. It also provides insight into the biochemical parameters/indices that can be used to assess the functional capacity of these organs