Biochemistry is the study of biological molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, etc. which form the morphological structures represented by the cell and cellular organelles, provide machinery for the inheritance and expression of genetic information, and energise catalytic transformations essential to cellular growth and reproduction. The study of the nature of these molecules and their reactions has brought about rapid advances in the biological and medical sciences, and has furthermore enabled the development of biotechnological industries that are playing an increasingly important role in the global economy.
The Department of Biochemistry offers comprehensive teaching and research programmes in both basic and applied aspects of biochemistry. At the same time it maintains a close relationship with the Biotechnology Research Institute, reflecting the fundamental significance of biochemistry in that field.
Both the teaching and research laboratories in the Department are equipped with advanced instrumentation. This equipment, serving biochemical and biotechnological studies, includes protein sequencer, oligonucleotide synthesizer, DNA sequencer, cen- trifugal partition chromatograph, and fermentation and cell culture facilities.
Faculty
Professor and Head of Department:
J. Tze-Fei WONG, BA, PhD Toronto Professor:
Tian-Yow TSONG, MSc, PhD Yale
(Director of Biotechnology Research Institute) Senior Lecturers/Associate Professors:
James A. HACKETT, BSc, PhD Dublin; PhD Australian National
Raymond S.C. WONG, Dip HongKong BaptistColl;MSc, PhD South Dakota State Lecturers/Assistant Professors:
Hueih-Min CHEN, BSc National Taiwan Normal; DSc Univ of Texas, Arlington King-Chuen CHOW, BSc, MPhil Chinese Univ of Hong Kong; PhD Toronto Yi-Fan HAN, BS Shanghai First MedicalColl; MS Peking Union MedicalColl; PhD
Medical Coll of Ohio
Robert K.M. KO, BSc, MPhil Chinese Univ of Hong Kong; PhD British Columbia Peter H.Y. LAM, BSc Chinese UnivofHongKong;PhD Univof Wisconsin, Madison Fwu-Shan SHEU, BS National Taiwan; MS PhD Northwestern
Wan-Keung R. WONG, Dip Hong Kong Baptist Coll; MSc Regina; PhD British Columbia
Undergraduate Programme
The objective of the BSc programme in Biochemistry is to instruct students in understanding biochemical molecules and processes, and to provide training in the methodologies used in laboratory investigation. The programme emphasises both theory and experimentation.
Admission Requirements 1995-96
In add~tion to the general entrance requirements of the University. acceptable grades are required in two AL subjects plus one AUAS subject. One of the subjects must be AL Chemistry. and one other must be AUAS Biology.
Curriculum for BSc i n Biochemistry
First Year Fall Semester
BICH 121 C Introduction to Biochemistry CHEM 1 1 1 R Organic Chemistry l COMP 101 R Computing Fundamentals (1) LANG 001 Language Skills Enhancement I (2) MATH 001 R Beginning Calculus
OR MATH 005 R Algebra and Calculus I PHYS 103 R General Physics
13-0-0:3]
[3-1-0:4]
[2-0-2131 [0-3-1 :O]
[3-1-0:4]
[3-1-0:4]
[3-0-3:4]
18 credits
Spnng Semester BlCH 122 C BlCH 172 C BlCH 182 C CHEM 112 C
ENGG E
H&SS E (3) MATH 006
Intermediary Metabolism [3-0-0:3]
Introductory Biochemical Laboratory [0-0-6:2]
Biochemical Laboratory Techniques [ I -0-0:1]
Organlc Chemistry II [3-0-0:3]
Engineering Elective [3-0-0:3]
Humanities and Social Science Elective [3-0-0:3]
Algebra and Calculus I1 (optional) 13-1 -0:4]
15 credits
Second Year Fall Semester
BlCH 201 C Modern Molecular Biology [3-0-0:3]
(4) BlCH 21 1 C Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids [0-0-6:2]
BlOL 211 R General Genetics [3-1-0:4]
CHEM 241 R Analytical Chemistry [3-0-0:3]
H&SS E Humanities and Social Science Elective [3-0-0:3]
SB&M E Business and Management Elective 13-0-0:3]
18 credits
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Spring Semester
BlCH 214 C Structure and Function of Proteins BlOL 202 R Animal Physiology
OR BlOL 206 R Microbiology
CHEM 154 C Organic Chemistry Laboratory FREE E Free Elective
LANG 103 R Technical Communication
Third Year Fall Semester
BlCH 303 C lmmunochemistry
BlCH 313 C lmmunochemistry Laboratory BlCH 355 C Biochemistry of Nutrition
BICH 363 C Advanced Topics in Biotechnology FREE E Free Elective
H&SS E Humanities and Social Science Elective SB&M E Business and Management Elective
Spring Semester
17 credits
19 credits
BlCH 318 C Biochemistry of Cell Membranes [3-0-0131
BlCH 366 C Biotechnology Seminar [0-4-0141
OR BlCH 398 C Biochemical Research [0-1-9:4]
BlCH 376 C Biochemistry of Diseases [3-0-0131
H&SS E Humanities and Social Science Elective [3-0-0131
(1) Students exempted from this course by the Language Centre may replace it with a Humanities and Social Science elective.
(2) Students admitted with an acceptable grade in AL Pure Mathematics will replace this course with an approved course in the School of Science. Students admitted with Additional Mathematics in HKCEE may not take MATH 005.
(3) Students should have taken MATH 005 and have the approval of the Department.
(4) Part of the laboratory instruction will be given in the Winter Session.
A minimum of 100 credits is required for the BSc programme in Biochemistry
Postgraduate Programmes and Research
The Department of Biochemistry conducts a comprehensive research pro- gramme providing an excellent postgraduate education in both basic and applied aspects of biochemistry. Departmental staff perform research and development work in the areas of genetic and protein engineering, immunochemistry, plant and medicinal biochemistry, and neurochernistry. Faculty working in each of these areas form a coordinated research team. Such coordination takes full advantage of the faculty's expertise in generating
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~nnovativedevelopmentand productive research. Atthe same time it creates astimulating atmosphere in which students receive training in the latest techniques and experience the challenge of modern research through direct participation.
The Department offers postgraduate programmes leading to the degrees of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biochemistry. The Department also participates in the Master of Science (MSc) programme in Biotechnology.
Admission to the MPhil programme in Biochemistry or the MSc programme in Biotechnology requires a BSc degree in biochemistry, chemistry, a biological science, or engineering. Admission to the PhD programme requires a BSc. an MPhil or an MSc degree in biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry, a biological science, or engineering.
Transfer to the PhD programme after completion of at least one year of the MPhil or MSc programme may be considered on the basis of a progress review.
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Master of Science (MSc) in BiotechnologyT h ~ s multi-disciplinary programme is jointly offered by the Departments of Bio- chemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Civil and Structural Engineer- Ing. For details, please refer to page 97.
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Biochemistry
The MPhil programme in Blochemistry enables students to acquire the experi- ence and judgement required for research on biochemical projects. While an original contribution to biochemical knowledge is not a prerequisite to the completion of the MPhil degree, the attainment of scientific competence is important. The duration of the programme normally ranges from 18 months to three years for full-time studies, and can be extended to five years for part-time students. Students with a first degree in an area other than that of their postgraduate programme may be required to take additional courses.
In fulfilling the degree requirements, students are expected to attend and present seminars. undertake course work and conduct thesis research. The passing standard in a graded course IS C and the overall average must be B or above. In the final stage of the programme, students are required to submittheses to the Department and, subsequently, to present and defend them. Any studentwho has performed unsatisfactorily will be asked to re-submit the thesis. The result of the second attempt of thethesis defence will be either Pass or Fail.
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Specific programme requirements are:I
at least one of the following courses:BlCH 363 Advanced Topics in Biotechnology BlCH 376 Biochemistry of Diseases BlCH 535 Food Biochemistry BlCH 541 lmmunochemistry BlCH 561 Physical Biochemistry BlCH 551 Biochemical Instrumentation BlCH 601 Biochemistry Seminar I
BlCH 602 Biochemistry Seminar II [O-1-0:1]
BlCH 699 MPhil Thesis Research; and presentation and oral defence of MPhil thesis.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biochemistry
The purpose of the PhD programme in Biochemistry is to prepare students, through completion of a research project, to become independent scientists capable of the design, initiation and execution of original research. The duration of the programme normally rangesfrom fourto eight yearsfrom the first degree, with a reduction of 18 months if a relevant master's degree isearned priortoentering the PhD programme. Studentswith afirst degree in an area otherthan their postgraduate programme may be required to take additional courses.
In fulfilling the degree requirements, students are expected to attend and present seminars, undertake course work and conduct thesis research. The passing standard in a graded course is C and the overall average must be B or above. Students are also required to pass a comprehensive/qualifying examination set by the Department. In the final stage of the programme, students are required to submit theses to the Department and, subsequently, to present and defend them. Any student who has performed unsatisfactorily will be asked to re-submit the thesis. The result of the second attempt of the thesis defence will be either Pass or Fail.
Specific programme requirements are:
at least one of the following courses:
BlCH 376 Biochemistry of Diseases [3-0-0:3]
BlCH 535 Food Biochemistry [3-0-0:3]
BlCH 541 lmmunochemistry [3-0-0:3]
BlCH 561 Physical Biochemistry [3-0-0:3]
BICH 551 Biochemical Instrumentation [0-0-4131
BlCH 601 Biochemistry Seminar l [0-1-0:1]
BlCH 602 Biochemistry Seminar II [0-1-0:1]
at least six credits of course work outside of Biochemistry;
comprehensive/qualifying examination;
BICH 799 PhD Thesis Research; and presentation and oral defence of PhD thesis.
Faculty Research Interests
Professor J. Tze Fei WONG, Head of Deparfment
Origin of genetic coding; evolution of codon usages. Identification of elements of transfer RNA; mechanisms of 5 lbstrate recognition by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Dextran- haemoglobin as an oxygep-delivering blood substitute.
Professor Tian-Yow TSONG
Structural/FunctionaI relationship of protein; calorimetric study of protein stability; kinetic investigation of protein folding; hydrophobic and hydrophilic contributions to protein stability using site-directed mutagenesis.
Dr James A. HACKETT. Associate Professor
Molecular cloning and analysis of genes of Salmonella typhimurium. Virulence function of. and vaccine development against Salmonella. Molecular genetics of Campylobacter and Selenomonas.
Dr Raymond S. C. WONG. Senior Lecturer
Plant bioengineering through genetic manipulation and microspore culture system forthe Improvement of oilseed as well as Chinese vegetable crops (Brassics spp).
Dr Hueih-Min CHEN, Assistant Professor
Construct~on of anti-cancer peptides: structure-function relations of insulin; kinetics and thermodynamics of protein folding; computer-aided protein and peptide designs.
Dr King-Chuen CHOW. Assistant Professor
Mechanism of the transposition of plant transposable elements: improvement of stress tolerance of plant strains; molecular biology and biochemistry of seed germination;
mechanism of seed priming: development of gene overexpression systems for plants.
Dr Yi-Fan HAN, Assistant Professor
Molecular mechanisms of associative learning and memory; neuropsychopharmacologic research and development of memory enhancers and analgesics including those from Chinese medicinal herbs: protein phosphorylat~on in neuronal functions.
Dr Robert K. M. KO. Assistant Professor
Myocard~al ischemialreperfusion injury and carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity;
protection against such injuries by antioxidants: age-related alterations in tissue antioxi- dant defence; antioxidant properties of traditional Chinese medicinals in relation to their anti-aging activities: isolation of active principle(s) from Chinese medicinals.
Dr Peter H. Y. LAM. Assistant Professor
Biochemistry and pharmacology of calcium binding proteins; development of monoclonal and catalytic antibodies: protein expression in baculovirus and vaccinia systems; use of epitope libraries and synthetic peptides in the development of therapeutic and diagnostic agents.
Dr Fwu-Shan SHEU, Assistant Professor
Blochemistry and electrophysiology of neuronal plasticity, signal transduction and Infor- mation storage: identification of the molecular mechanisms of associative learning and memory utilising both biochemical and electrophysiologic methods.
Dr Wan-Keung R. WONG. Assistant Professor
Clonrng and expression of genes in Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Bacillus subtilis: development of E.coli systems for extracellular production of valuable proteins; production and reconstitution of recombinant cellulases for use in energy generat~on and cellulosic waste management.
School of Science