Course program
Structure of biological molecules
Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins. Nucleic acids.
Theoretical and experimental methods for the study of structural and dynamic behavior.
Biochemical processes
Thermodynamics and Kinetics. Enzymatic catalysis.
Protein folding and unfolding. Ion and electron transport processes.
Molecular recognition
Protein-ligand, protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions.
Theoretical-computational and experimental methods.
Applications of spectroscopic methods to biomolecules
UV and IR spectroscopy. Linear and circular dichroism. Static and dynamic fluorescence spectroscopy.
Small-angle Scattering.
Prerequisites
For a better learning of the topics proposed in this course, the following basic skills are required: classical thermodynamics (first, second and third principles, chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics of solutions, first-order transitions), statistical thermodynamics (principles, Gibbs ensembles, microcanonical and canonical partition functions), basic concepts and principles regulating the chemistry of biological processes ,classical spectroscopies (vibrational, electronic, fluorescence, nuclear magnetic resonance). In addition, the student should be familiar with the basic knowledge of mathematics (derivatives and partial derivatives, differentials, integrals and differential equations, simple series) and physics (mechanics, electrostatics and electromagnetism).
Books
Principles of physical biochemistry / Kensal E. van Holde, W. Curtis Johnson, P. Shing Ho. - 2. ed. - Upper Saddle River, NJ : Pearson Prentice Hall, [2006].
Teaching mode
The course is composed of 72 hours devoted to the theoretical treatment of the topics proposed in the program (theoretical models, mathematical proofs, applications and limits of the obtained equations, techniques and methods of investigations of disperse systems) and to discuss the investigation of significant systems (choice of methodology and techniques). In addition, the applications in the field of biophysics and chemistry applied to biological systems will be presented by participation at selected seminars and in-depth studies of selected biological and biochemical processes.
Frequency
In person
Exam mode
The student will be evaluated by an oral exam in which the student should discuss the physical-chemical properties of biological systems, the related models, and the experimental methods and techniques used for their investigation (principles of techniques and applications). The capability of analysis, making judgment and communication will be also evaluated. Simple and exemplary systems will be discussed to evaluate the student skills to frame the chemical problem in the correct context and choose the most suitable methodologies of investigation.
In addition, the student should be capable of discussing the possible applications of the investigated systems in the most advanced fields of biological interest.
Lesson mode
The course is composed of 72 hours devoted to the theoretical treatment of the topics proposed in the program (theoretical models, mathematical proofs, applications and limits of the obtained equations, techniques and methods of investigations of disperse systems) and to discuss the investigation of significant systems (choice of methodology and techniques). In addition, the applications in the field of biophysics and chemistry applied to biological systems will be presented by participation at selected seminars and in-depth studies of selected biological and biochemical processes.
