Protein Homeostasis - BCH440H1

Protein homeostasis is dependent on the coordinated synthesis, folding, localization and degradation of the thousands of proteins in a living cell. This course deals with selected aspects of the process including: i) protein folding in the cytoplasm and secretory pathway, ii) cytoplasmic, ER and mitochondrial chaperones, iii) protein quality control and degradation via the ubiquitin proteasome system, and iv) the unfolded protein response. The course will serve as a foundation for those with an interest in how cellular protein levels and conformations are maintained.

Prerequisites:
BCH210H1 or BCH242Y1;
BCH311H1 or MGY311Y1 or CSB349H1 or PSL350H1

Course Coordinator:
James Rini

Course Instructor:
Walid Houry

Take Home Quiz I: 4%
Term test (2 hrs): 30%
Paper Critique I: 16%
Take Home Quiz II: 4%
Paper Critique II: 16%
Final Exam (2 hrs): 30%

Quizzes: There will be two quizzes (4% each) and they will be assigned at least one class before they are due (via email submission).

Paper Critique: The research papers to be critiqued will be assigned.  The critique should be a maximum of 2 pages single-spaced and include the following: i) a summary of the research question addressed, ii) the experimental approaches used, iii) the main results obtained, iv) any weaknesses in the paper noted and v) some follow-up questions and experiments.

Resources:
BCH440H1 Syllabus_January 2026.pdf

Enrollment Cap:
60