School of Life Sciences · Life science foundations
Biochemistry Essentials for Biotechnologists
Biochemistry links chemistry to life and underpins enzyme assays, bioprocessing and drug discovery. This course covers the essentials with an emphasis on quantitative reasoning.
Course overview
Biochemistry Essentials covers the structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates, then enzyme kinetics and inhibition, metabolism and bioenergetics.
Throughout, you practise the calculations used daily in laboratories: concentrations, buffers, kinetics parameters and assay design, preparing you for the Vedicgen bench courses.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course you will be able to:
- Describe the structure and function of the major biomolecules
- Analyse enzyme kinetics and inhibition
- Outline central metabolic pathways and their regulation
- Apply bioenergetic principles
- Perform the calculations used in biochemical assays
Skills you will practise
Eligibility and prerequisites
Who can apply
- Undergraduate and postgraduate students in any life-science, health-science, agriculture or pharmacy programme
- Graduates preparing for research positions, higher studies or a move into biotechnology
- Professionals from adjacent fields (engineering, computing, chemistry) who need a working command of biology
Prerequisites
- School-level chemistry
Best suited to
- Biotechnology, microbiology and pharmacy students
- Engineers moving into bioprocess and biotech
- Learners preparing for protein and assay courses
Module-wise syllabus
4 modules. Each pairs instructor-led sessions with a hands-on lab on public data.
Topics
- Amino acids and proteins
- Nucleic acids
- Lipids and carbohydrates
Topics
- Michaelis–Menten kinetics
- Inhibition
- Regulation
Topics
- Glycolysis and the TCA cycle
- Oxidative phosphorylation
- Metabolic regulation
Topics
- Buffers and pH
- Spectrophotometric assays
- Assay design
Practical sessions and projects
Capstone project
Final assessment
Design and justify an enzyme assay, with calculations and expected results.
Assessed on the correctness of the analysis, the quality of the code and the reasoning in the write-up. A pass is required for the certificate.
- Biomolecules
Problem set: structure–function reasoning for biomolecules.
- Enzymes
Fit kinetic data and identify an inhibition type.
- Metabolism
Case study: metabolic changes in a fermentation process.
- Quantitative biochemistry
Design an enzyme assay with appropriate controls and calculations.
Software, tools and datasets
Software and tools
All software is free and open source or free for academic use. Recommended computer: 8 GB RAM, 30 GB free disk, Linux, macOS or Windows with WSL2.
Core reading
- Nelson DL, Cox MM. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. Macmillan Learning.
- Berg JM, Tymoczko JL, Gatto GJ, Stryer L. Biochemistry. Macmillan Learning.
Duration, format and fees
- Next cohort
- Dates are sent with your admission offer
- Timetable
- Three evening or weekend sessions a week (IST), plus a lab clinic; intensive and weekend-only schedules on request
- Payment
- Secure online payment link with your admission offer (UPI, cards, net banking). Instalments on request for fees above ₹15,000.
- Refunds
- See the refund and cancellation policy.
Instructor
The instructor for each cohort is named in your admission offer and on this page when the cohort is announced. Vedicgen instructors are selected for hands-on research or industry experience in the subject they teach, and every course is reviewed by a second subject expert.
Questions about who teaches a cohort? [email protected]
Certificate
Learners who complete the course and pass its capstone receive a Vedicgen certificate of completion for Biochemistry Essentials for Biotechnologists, issued by Vivofold, stating the guided hours and skills assessed. Each certificate has a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check.
Apply for Biochemistry Essentials for Biotechnologists
Apply
Send the form below. It takes about five minutes.
Review
An adviser confirms your fit and format within two working days.
Offer
You receive dates, timetable and a secure payment link.
Onboard
Set-up guide, pre-reading and joining links.
Frequently asked questions
Online. The live cohort meets for instructor-led sessions with problem-solving in small groups; the self-paced format offers the same lessons with quizzes and a mentor-reviewed final assignment.
Yes. Learners who complete the course and pass its assessment receive a Vedicgen certificate of completion, issued by Vivofold. Every certificate carries a unique ID and a QR code that anyone, including an employer or admissions office, can check on the certificate verification page.
Apply with the form on this page. Live and in-person cohorts run through the year; the dates, timetable and joining details of the next cohort are sent with your admission offer and listed on this page once announced. Self-paced enrolment opens as soon as your application is accepted.
Yes. No course runs longer than four weeks, and the length is customisable: choose the standard schedule, an intensive one- to two-week schedule, weekends only, or a custom timetable. Pick your preference on the application form; colleges and teams can book their own dates.
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