Course: Glycobiochemistry

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Course title Glycobiochemistry
Course code UCH/045
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Frequency of the course In each academic year, in the winter semester.
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Štěrba Ján, RNDr. Ph.D.
  • Štěrbová Jarmila, RNDr.
Course content
Content of lectures: 1. Posttranslational modifications of proteins. Introduction to glycobiology. Glycans, glycoproteins, lectins, and their importance. 2. Glycosylation. N-glycans, their importance in proteosynthesis. 3. O-glycans, other glycan types. 4. N-glycan biosynthesis in Eukaryotes and bacteria, its localization in the cell. 5. Glycosyltransferases and glycosidases. 6. Differences in glycosylation - glycosylation in mammals, arthropods, plants, parasites, and bacteria. 7. Clinical aspects of glycosylation, sialic acid, fucose, galactose - glycans and infection, inherited glycosylation disorders, allergic reactions, transplantation. 8. Clinical aspects of glycosylation, sialic acid, fucose, galactose - allergic reactions, glycans as disease markers. 9. Lectins and saccharide/glycans-specific antibodies. Galectins, C-lectins, P-lectins, etc. 10. Glycomics, glycoproteomics - the use of lectins and antibodies. Structural analysis, chemical and enzymatic synthesis. Glycosylation inhibitors. Glycan-labelling approaches. 11. Glycomics, glycoproteomics - chemical and enzymatic synthesis. Glycosylation inhibitors. Glycan-labelling approaches. 12. Glycobiology in biotechnology - production of recombinant glycoproteins and problems related to their use. Examples.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Dialogic (discussion, interview, brainstorming), Work with text (with textbook, with book), Work with multi-media resources (texts, internet, IT technologies)
  • Class attendance - 26 hours per semester
  • Preparation for classes - 40 hours per semester
  • Semestral paper - 10 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
Carbohydrate-protein interface regarding its biochemical, cellular, medicinal and biotechnological aspects will be in the main focus of the lectures to proceed knowledge in the area of carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins as well as in carbohydrate-binding proteins (lectins, enzymes, etc.), and their interactions with carbohydrate molecules, and to draw attention to the use of modern techniques in glycobiochemistry. Some of the topics which will be covered: - Introduction to glycobiology: glycosylation as a posttranslational modification - Glycosylation enzyme machinery and carbohydrate/glycan-modifying enzymes - Carbohydrates and glycoconjugates in the biology of living organisms - Carbohydrate/Glycan-binding proteins - Analytical approaches in glycobiochemistry: function and structure - Medicinal consequences of protein-carbohydrate/glycan interactions - Industrial glycobiology
Basic knowledge in glycobiology and glycobiochemistry will be provided
Prerequisites
Biochemistry, Mol. and Cellular Biology

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination, Student performance assessment

Students must correctly answer at least 50 % of test questions.
Recommended literature
  • Sansom C. & Markoman O. Glycobiology. Avion Publishing Ltd., 2007.
  • Varki A., Cummings R. D. et al. Essentials of Glycobiology. 2nd edition. Copld Spring Barbor Laboratory Press, 2009.
  • Wang P. G. & Bertozzi C. R. Glycochemistry, Pronciples, Synthesi, and Applications. Marcel Dekker, Inc., 2001.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Secondary Schools Teacher Training in Chemistry (1) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Winter