2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Department of Chemical Science and Engineering Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
Advanced Biopolymer Engineering
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Toshiki Sawada
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Tue
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- CAP.P426
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course focuses mainly on typical biopolymers, such as peptides and proteins, and gives an overview of the functional expression of biopolymers based on their structure and/or physical properties. Subsequently, the material functions of biopolymers are outlined. Peptide- or protein-based assemblies and composites are included. Controlled one-dimensional structures (monomer sequences) of peptides and proteins contribute to their excellent biological function in nature. The aim of this course is to understand the control of monomer sequences, high-dimensional structures, and assembled structures deeply, and to gain the ability to propose research ideas about biopolymers as environmentally friendly materials.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Explain the control methods of structures and physical properties of biopolymers.
2) Explain the structures, physical properties, and bio-/materials-functions of biopolymer-based assemblies.
Keywords
Peptide, protein, primary structure, secondary structure, α-helix, β-sheet, electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bond, van der Waals interaction, hydrophobic effect, higher-order structure, ordered assembly
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Each class is conducted using relevant materials which are available on T2SCHOLA. 15 or 20 minutes exam and an explanation will be given in the middle of each class. At the beginning of the next class, further explanations may be added depending on the students’ understanding.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Interactions among biopolymers in an aqueous phase | Explain the intermolecular interactions of biopolymers in an aqueous phase. |
| Class 2 | Structures and physical properties of amino acids and peptides | Explain the amino acid structures and secondary structures of peptides. |
| Class 3 | Tertiary structures of proteins and their formation | Explain the three-dimensional structures of properties and the principles of their formation |
| Class 4 | Chemical/biosynthesis of peptides/proteins and material developments | Explain the methods for synthesis of peptides/proteins and their self-assembly |
| Class 5 | Diverse secondary structures of peptides and self-assembly toward material functions | Explain the various secondary structures of peptides and development of peptide-based materials through self-assembly and complexation |
| Class 6 | Functionalization of peptides by evolutionary molecular engineering and their applications | Explain the principles of evolutionary molecular engineering for peptides and molecular recognition-based functionalization |
| Class 7 | Final exercise and term-end test | Solve practice problems by accurate understanding of biopolymer functions based on the intra- and intermolecular interactions. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Not fixed
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Materials for this course are distributed.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students’ knowledge of the fundamental structures, properties, and functions of biopolymers is assessed. Quiz (20%) and final exam (80%)
Related courses
- CAP.Y305 ： Biopolymer Chemistry
Prerequisites
It is desirable to have basic knowledge of polymers, biomolecules, and biopolymers.