Natural Sciences

In this module, you will learn about how microorganisms make structurally complex metabolites, such as nicotine, the antibacterial drug erythromycin and cholesterol, from simple basic building blocks. We will explore the pathways that are used to build up these molecules and the enzymes that catalyse the reactions. We will also discuss the shikimic acid pathway and advanced methods for investigating biosynthetic pathways.  The structure and chemistry of the primary metabolites, amino acids and monosaccharides will also be examined and you will gain an understanding of their typical reactions and how they are used in synthesis.

You must have completed BIO2085 Structure and Reactivity of Organic Compounds II and NSC2001 Frontiers in Science 2 in order to take this module.  It is advisable that you have completed BIO2086 Metabolism before taking this module.

BIOM514 is an optional module for MSci Natural Sciences students only. You cannot take this module if you have already taken BIO3090 Secondary Metabolites.

This module aims to study the applications of organic compounds in the natural world with particular reference to biological systems. It further aims to rationalise the properties and reactivity of the principal classes of natural products and to demonstrate the fundamental chemistry behind biochemical reactions in biosynthetic pathways.

The skills you gain from lectures and seminars will develop or enhance your employability. Transferable skills to other sectors include: problem solving (linking theory to practice, responding to novel and unfamiliar problems, data handling), time management (managing time effectively individually and within a group), collaboration (taking initiative and leading others, supporting others in their work), self and peer review (taking responsibility for own learning, using feedback from multiple sources) and audience awareness (presenting ideas effectively in multiple formats).

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

Interaction of functional groups to produce molecules with unusual reactivity is exemplified by the fatty acid-derived metabolites (leuokotrienes and prostaglandins), the amino-acids (acid-base properties, peptides and hormones), the carbohydrates (acetals, hemi-acetals and mutarotation, stereochemistry both configurational and conformational), certain heterocyclic bases, terpenes and organyl phosphates.

Description of natural product biosynthetic pathways based on acetate, amino-acids and mevalonate and how they are investigated using labelled compounds

Comparison of biochemical reactions with the basic organic chemistry covered in previous modules.

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to sit a further examination. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 50%.

Basic reading:

Clayden J., Greeves N., Warren S. and Wothers P., Organic Chemistry, Oxford University Press, 2001, ISBN 0-19-850346-6

Mann J., Chemical Aspects of Biosynthesis, Oxford Primer, Oxford University Press, 1994, ISBN 0-19- 855676-4

Dewick, PM, Medicinal Natural Products – A Biosynthetic Approach, Wiley-Blackwell, 2009, ISBN 0470741678

J. H. Jones, Amino acids and Peptide Synthesis, Oxford Primer, Oxford University Press, 2002 ISBN 0-19-925738-8

B. G. Davis and A. J. Fairbanks, Carbohydrate Chemistry, Oxford Primer, Oxford University Press, 2002 ISBN 0-19-855833-3

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Other Resources:

Reading list for this module: