There is a new and recent emphasis on proteins. The wealth of gene sequence data and the uncertainty that this has produced. After languishing in the shadow of rapid and unassimilated growth of genetic information, the focus has again shifted to proteins. In a sense, this is the begining of a second revolution in biological sciences. Knowing the gene sequence isn t enough to predict protein structure and how it functions.
Gene sequences can only give the amino acid sequence that is translated by the ribosome.
Most proteins undergo some type of post-translational modification before they perform their biological function. In other words, we still have to isolated the protein and study its structure, function etc. etc. Summaries of Lectures are available 1. Overview of the many functions filled by polypeptide macromolecules. The synthesis of proteins, post-translational modification and how proteins are targeted to the various intracellular and extracellular compartments, degradation of protein.