Biophysics 1100-114BFIZ11
The main aim is to present exhaustively the basis of modern molecular biophysics for the students learning biophysics at the Faculty of Biology (biotechnology). Attending the lecture should make them possible to comprehend structural and dynamical aspects of biological processes involving proteins and nucleic acids in terms of physics, and show them most important biophysical, structural methods.
Program
1. General remarks on biophysics, its history and scope. Quantum and classical description of molecules. Spectroscopic methods for studies of properties of molecules.
2. Mathematics necessary to move from molecular biology to molecular biophysics.
3. Chemical molecules, quantization of their energy states and its use for biophysical research using electromagnetic radiation.
4. Classical and statistical thermodynamics in the description of molecular systems with a constant and variable number of chemical components.
5. Review of experimental methods and computer modeling methods used in molecular biophysics.
6. Water as the molecular environment of life processes.
7. Selected issues of contemporary molecular biophysics:
a. Structure and dynamics of nucleic acids and proteins
b. The influence of pH on biomolecular processes.
c. Enzyme physics.
d. Mechanisms of cell infection by viruses.
e. Gene expression from single molecule experiments.
f. Origin of biological homochirality.
g. Mechanisms of molecular recognition.
Student's effort:
Lecture = 30 h
Self-studying (1 h per week), ca. 15 h
Preparations to pass the examination: ca. 15 h
Total, ca. 60 h
Remarks
Presentation on transparencies available for the participants as xerox copies.
Description prepared by Jan Antosiewicz, January 2019, modified December 2023
Main fields of studies for MISMaP
physics
biology
biotechnology
chemistry
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
After completion the course:
KNOWLEDGE
1. The student knows the basic lows and actual, issues of modern molecular biophysics.
2. The student knows the basic experimental and theoretical methods used in molecular biophysics.
3. The student knows basic applications of biophysics in medicine.
SKILLS
1. The student is able to relate biological phenomena to their physical and chemical foundations.
2. The student is able to find a proper biophysical method to solve a biological problem.
SOCIAL ABILITIES
1. The student comprehends significance of constant study of scientific problems and methodology..
2. The student comprehends significance of physical notions and methods in bioscience.
3. The students recognizes ethical approach in scientific work.
Assessment criteria
Final examination in the form of a test consisting of 30 questions with 4 proposed answers for consideration. The one correct answer for each question should be indicated. The pass mark is 60%.
The attendance list is checked during lectures. Attendance at at least 50% of the lectures is a condition for admission to the exam.
Practical placement
None
Bibliography
1. I. N. Serdyuk, N. R. Zaccai, J. Zaccai, Methods for molecular biophysics. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge 2007 ( pdf version available on the internet)
2. T. A. Waigh, Applied Biophysics, Wiley, West Sussex, England, 2007 ( pdf version available on the internet)
3. Rodney M. J. Cotterill,, Biophysics, An Introduction, Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd,,, New York, 2002 (pdf version available on the internet)
4. Silvanus P. Thompson, and Martin Gardner, Calculus made easy, ST. MARTIN'S PRESS, New York, 1998 ( pdf version available on the internet).
5. Publications cited during lectures and indicated as important.
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: