Learning objectives
This course is intended to give an overview on the modern molecular biophysics.
The aim of this course is to introduce in a qualitative manner, modern spectroscopic techniques and show selected applications to relevant current topics. It is intended to also show how physical methods can become extremely valuable tools for understanding biological processes.
The selection of topics is intended to guide students to make a more thoughtful choice for their future studies, possibly in Biophysics. It is also intended to give students in Biological Sciences an overview on the modern experimental methods that are available to tackle very complex biological problems.
Knowledge and understanding
The student should prove to be able to know and understand some of the most important aspects of molecular biophysics, and of the physical laws controlling them. Experimental method and overview of results obtained in the most recent literature will give the basis of this comprehension.
Applying knowledge and understanding
The student should be able to understand similarities and differences between biophysical systems, experimental data, and methodologies useful to biophysics. The student should be able to comprehend the essential aspects of papers in the most recent literature, perform simple experiments, analyze the data and summarize them. The results should be used to model the biophysical system.
Prerequisites
basics of calculus, classical physics and chemi
Course unit content
A modern vision of biophysics: living systems in a framework of physical laws
order generation and free energy transduction
Diffusion of molecular species within cells
Random walk, fiction and diffusion, polymer conformation
Statistical ensembles and single molecules
Qualitative description of proteins
The structure of proteins
Determination of protein structure
Protein folding and energy landscape
Function of proteins
Relations between function, structure, and dynamics
Allostery
Enzymes and molecular machines
Qualitative introduction to modern techniques based on radiation-matter interaction
Spectroscopic methods for the study of macromolecules: theory and practice
Data analysis: using numerical methods in order to model biophysical processes
Full programme
A modern vision of biophysics: living systems in a framework of physical laws:
order generation and free energy transduction
Diffusion of molecular species within cells
Random walk, fiction and diffusion, polymer conformation
Statistical ensembles and single molecules
Qualitative description of proteins:
The structure of proteins
Determination of protein structure
Protein folding and energy landscape
Function of proteins
Relations between function, structure, and dynamics
Allostery
Enzymes and molecular machines
Qualitative introduction to modern techniques based on radiation-matter interaction
Spectroscopic methods for the study of macromolecules: theory and practice
Data analysis: using numerical methods in order to model biophysical processes
Bibliography
Papers from recent literature and slides of the lessons. "Protein structure and function" G.A. Petsko, D. Ringe, Zanichelli; "Biological Physics. Energy, Information, Life. Updated first edition" Philip Nelson, Palgrave Macmillan and WH Freeman ed.; "Principles of fluorescence spectroscopy" J. Lakowicz, Kluver Academic/Plenum Publishers
Teaching methods
Lessons, some practice in the lab
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam consists in a talk by elaborating on one of the topics covered by the course and reports on the experiments performed in the lab.
Other information
Office hours by appointment (Email).
