UNIVERSITY OF ELDORET

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

COURSE OUTLINE: BIOC 221: FOUNDATIONAL BIOCHEMICAL
TECHNIQUES
1. Introduction to biochemistry laboratory safety and procedures, characteristics of
biological agents and laboratory biosafety levels.

2. Measurements of pH and preparation of buffers;

3. Introduction to microscopy: Light microscopes; Transmitted Light Microscopy,

Bright Field Microscopy, Dark Field Microscopy, Phase Contrast, Differential
Interference Contrast; Fluorescence microscopy, Electron microscopy; TEM and
SEM. Sample preparation techniques for microscopy, staining, cryofixation,
sectioning, sputter coating and embedding;

4. Tissue disruption techniques and homogenization.

5. Centrifugation; types of centrifuges, subcellular fractionation by differential

centrifugation, ultracentrifugation, continuous and discontinuous density
gradients,

6. Chromatographic techniques; partition and adsorption; paper and TLC; Column,

ion-exchange, affinity, gel filtration and determination of molecular weight,
HPLC, GLC;

C.A.T 2
Reference:
1. Principles and Techniques of Practical Biochemistry By -Keith Wilson and John
Walker 1994
2. Modern Experimental Biochemistry – Boyer 1993

EVALUATION
1. Practicals - 10%
2. C.A.TS(2) - 20%
3. Main Examination – 70%
4. Total -100%

Mr. J.K. Kemmey,

COURSE LECTURER