Course Overview

Supramolecules and macromolecules consisted of biomolecules can be used as practical tools and materials because of unique chemical and physical properties, biocompatibility and sustainability. This subject provides recent topics on biomolecular engineering.

Learning Achievement

(1) Understanding chemical and physical properties, structures, and functions of biomolecules.
(2) Understanding typical protein engineering methods.
(3) Understanding self-assembly of lipids and its application.
(4) Understanding biotechnological application of RNA molecules
(5) Understanding physical property and function structures of silk proteins and knowing use of silk proteins as functional materials
(6) Understanding production and application of functional silks
(7) Understanding development of silk-based materials
(8) Capable of explaining about the latest scientific studies on materials/tools based on biomolecules.

Competence

Expertise, Proficiency in English

Course prerequisites

Grading Philosophy

Grading will be carried out in the following two phases, and students fulfilling the criteria below will pass.
(1) Lists of research papers related to the lectures: At least one paper for each lecture. The outlines of the papers in the lists need be understood.
(2) A report on a selected paper from the above lists: Significance and novelty of the research need to be clearly described.
Note that grades from A+ to C are to be determined based on scientific criticism (additional experiments and/or discussion to improve the research) on the selected paper.

Course schedule

How to modify proteins
Artificial assembly of proteins
Macromolecular architectures based on lipids
RNAs as biotechnological tools
Physical property and structures of silk proteins
Physiology of silkworms: biosynthesis of silk proteins
Development of silk materials
How to evaluate physical property and structures of silk proteins
How to develop silk materials
Silkworm Breeding
(8)-(10) will be given at Owashi site of NARO.

Course type

Lectures

Online Course Requirement

Instructor

Hirakawa Hidehiko,Tomita Shuichiro,Teramoto Hidetoshi,Kameda Tsunenori,Miyagishi Makoto,Ichikawa Sosaku

Other information

Site for Inquiry

Link to the syllabus provided by the university