A current area of research in Dr. Martin’s lab is the identification of novel proteases. Based on this, we have developed a simple, 1-2 class activity that allows students to contribute to cutting-edge research as part of the regular curriculum. Using modern software, students view and analyze protein structures, and predict whether an unknown protein might be a protease with novel functionality. Based on the idea that structure and function are related and conserved, students compare structures of predicted proteases to the structure of a known protease and annotate both conserved and novel features. Through this activity, students become conversant with the main secondary structure elements of proteins and how they fold together. They will learn how to use Chimera to visualize and analyze protein structure. Data generated by the students will be analyzed in Dr. Martin’s lab, potentially identifying interesting new proteases for experimental characterization.
Keywords: Biochemistry, bioinformatics, protein structure, Inquiry-based learning, proteases
University of Ottawa (2019)
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