Protein Engineering 8 - 10 March 2004 Wageningen, The Netherlands Organised by: Biochemistry, WU

Introduction

Background
Natural enzymes are optimised to fulfil a certain biological function in the context of a living cell.
In biotechnology, however, specific biocatalysts are required with a high stability and efficiency under process conditions. Despite some exceptions, most natural enzymes are not suitable for biotechnological application. By protein engineering it is possible to generate enzymes with novel properties. The rational redesign of enzymes requires prediction of site-directed mutations on the basis of structural models. Alternatively, efficient random mutagenesis by ‘directed evolution’ is an extremely powerful approach to obtain proteins with improved functionality.

Target group
Persons interested in this advanced course should have a graduate level in life sciences or a comparable background. The course may attract microbiologists, toxicologists, biochemists, bio-organic chemists, food and nutrition scientists and biotechnologists. All participants are requested to present their own work by means of a poster or short oral presentation.

Course contents

Course aim
This advanced course aims to give insight in the approaches and strategies used in the field of protein engineering. Key-note lectures dedicated to recent developments are presented by invited speakers.

Course design
The course consists of a series of lectures and includes the opportunity for short presentations of the participants’ own work (maximum of four). A special discussion session is devoted to the practical and ethical aspects of the technology. After a general introductory session, the focus is on protein engineering related to agro-food biotechnology.

Programme topics

• Genome exploitation
• Computational Design
• Error-prone PCR
• Gene shuffling
• High-throughput screening
• Engineering of industrial enzymes
• Re-design of substrate specificity
• Inversion of enzyme stereo selectivity
• Folding and stability
• Custom-designed fibrillar proteins
• Chimeric protein constructions
• Societal aspects of protein engineering

Organisation

Course coordinators

• Laboratory of Biochemistry, Wageningen University
  Dr. WJH van Berkel
• Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University
  Dr. J van der Oost
• Graduate school VLAG
  Mrs. I van Leeuwen-Bol

Other faculty

• Dr. JAE Benen, Wageningen University
• Ir. S Brouns, Wageningen University
• Dr. MR Egmond, Utrecht University
• Dr. HW Hellinga, Duke University, Medical Center Durham, USA
• Dr. HGJ Gremmen, Wageningen University
• Dr. RHH van den Heuvel, Utrecht University
• Prof. DB Janssen, University of Groningen
• Dr. T Kaper, University of Groningen
• Dr. LD Kluskens, Biomade, Groningen
• Dr. JM van der Laan, DSM-Research Delft
• Prof. W Quax, University of Groningen
• Ing. T Sonke, DSM-Geleen
• Dr. PW Stemmer, Avidia Research Institute Redwood City, USA
• Dr. JP Vincken, Wageningen University
• Dr. F de Wolf, Agrotechnology and Food Innovations, Wageningen

General information

Date & duration
The course will be held from 8-10 March 2004, (3 days).

Study load
The study load of this course is 1.0 ECTS credits.

Language
The course will be conducted in English.

Location & accommodation
Lectures and posters will be presented at the Wageningen International Conference Centre (WICC). Accommodation is also available at the (WICC). The cost of bed/breakfast varies between € 66,50 and € 78,50 per day (single room).

Contact information
More information about the course contents can be obtained from:
Dr. Willem van Berkel; e-mail: Willem.vanBerkel@wur.nl,
Dr. John van der Oost; e-mail: John.vanderOost@wur.nl
For organisational matters please contact:
Mrs I. van Leeuwen-Bol: phone: +31-317-486108, e-mail: Ingeborg.vanLeeuwen-Bol@wur.nl

Registration & course fee

The registration form must be returned before February 17th. The number of participants is limited to 30. You will be notified before March 3rd on acceptance of your registration and you will be sent instructions for payment. The course fee is € 1050 (including tea/coffee/lunches and one course dinner). PhD-students not affiliated with the Graduate School VLAG will be charged € 350. Cancellations may be made free of charge until February 17, 2004. After this date the charge will be 25% of the fee paid or due. Substitutions may be made at any time.

Application

Please use the 'Course Application Form' to apply.

Photos

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