The advancement of biochemical knowledge and techniques have led to the massive scientific and medical achievements that we see today. For example, the discovery of and artificial synthesis of insulin subsequently saved the lives of people with diabetes. Biochemistry is the study of molecular machines and processes that drive life around us. In this immersive two-week course, students will learn about the four essential macromolecules—proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids—and explore how their dysfunction can lead to major health issues.
Throughout the course, students will engage in live lectures, asynchronous assignments, small group learning activities, and group presentations. For the final group project, students will choose a topic that synthesizes concepts from multiple facets of biochemistry, such as CRISPR-Cas9, the keto diet, mRNA vaccines, bacterial antibiotic resistance, and why grapefruit interacts with certain medications. This course serves as an introduction for post-secondary biochemistry courses and will benefit future health sciences majors and pre-med students.