Protein Power: Learn How to Measure Life's Building Blocks

Proteins are an important building block for all life. Not counting water, humans are about 41% protein. They make metabolism happen, make our muscles move, provide structure beyond the skeleton, and countless other functions. In fact proteins are so important that the U.S. government recommends that 10–35% of the total calories you consume be in form of protein. Because protein is so important, measuring protein amounts is one of the most common methods biochemists use. Join the MSU Biochemistry Club in a quick hands-on experiment to measure protein amounts in some common foods. Our students will show you how it’s really done in the laboratory. You will have the opportunity to learn all about how protein measurements work and see and use some of the advanced instrumentation used to make these measurements.