Chemical Biology (CHEM 795/918)

Course description: Have you ever wondered how cutting-edge therapeutics are discovered and produced? How does the COVID vaccine work? What is an antibody conjugate? What is bioconjugation? How do we see mRNA in living cells? How do we evolve enzymes?? All these questions and more will be answered in a new course entitled Chemical Biology (Chem 795/918). Chemical Biology is the interdisciplinary study of the chemicals and chemical reactions involved in biological processes, incorporating the disciplines of bioorganic chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, and pharmacology. In contrast to biochemistry which is the study of biomolecules within and between cells, chemical biology can be used to probe, manipulate, and control biological systems in vitro and in vivo. This course is designed for biologists, chemists, and engineers at the junior/senior undergraduate and graduate level who want to understand cutting edge and relevant research techniques used in modern medicine, or a boost in pre-med, pre-vet, and pre-nursing applications. The chemically inclined will learn the needed biology, and the biologically inclined will learn the needed chemistry. Organic Chemistry I, II are prerequisites to take this course.