CHEM30028 Advanced Biological Life Chemistry Coursework Assessment


Question 1.
Briefly describe the main sequence-to-structure relationships that lead to the folding and
assembly of the following biomolecular structures.


(a) alpha-helical coiled-coil dimers (8 Marks)


AND


(b) the DNA double helix (4 Marks)


Synthetic biologists use these relationships as rules to design completely new structures and
assemblies not observed in nature. Using specific examples, outline how this field has
advanced using the following as building blocks.


(c) synthetic coiled-coil modules (6 Marks)


AND


(d) synthetic DNA oligonucleotides (6 Marks)


Use diagrams to illustrate your answer, and list the relative merits (advantages and
disadvantages) of the two approaches.