66293 - Solid State Structure and Reactivity

Learning outcomes

Broad knowledge of morphological and structural characteristics of: (1) inorganic/macromolecular materials and nanomaterials produced by biological systems; (2) synthetic biomimetic materials for relevant technological applications. Basic knowledge of modern methods for the study of protein crystals via X-ray diffraction.

Course contents

Prerequisites: The student who accesses this teaching must be in possession of a good preparation in the fundamentals of inorganic chemistry and of the solid state.

Program of the I teaching unit:

1) Crystallography
3) X-ray diffraction: single crystal and powders
3) Polymorphism in crystalline solids
4) Solid state reactivity: mechanochemistry
5) Nanocrystalline solids: pigments
6) Biomaterials and bioceramics


Program of the II teaching unit

All the experimental steps and the problems for the resolution of the three-dimensional structure of a biological macromolecule will be treated in detail. Furthermore, the following crystallization methods will be illustrated theoretically and in the laboratory: vapor diffusion with drop drop and with drop, dialysis and batch drop.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes, slides.

Reference texts:

Mann S. Biomimetic materials chemistry.Weinheim: Wiley-VCH; 1997

- Kendall JB, editor. Biomaterials Research Advances. New York, NY:Nova Science

Publishers; 2010:93–143.

- Dee KC, Puleo DA, Bizios R. An Introduction to Tissue-Biomaterial Interactions. Hoboken: Wiley-Liss; 2003.

- J.D. Guthrie and B.T. Mossman Health Effects of Mineral Dusts, edited by J.D. Guthrie and B.T. Mossman (Rev. Miner. 28, Chelsea, MI, 1993),

- Bergfors, T., Editor. Protein Crystallization: Second Edition. 2009. International
University Line, La Jolla, California.

- McPherson, A. Preparation and analysis of protein crystals, Krieger.

- Ducan E. Mc Ree, Practical Protein Crystallography, Second Edition.

Teaching methods

Lectures and lab units.

Assessment methods

Oral examinations (30-45 minutes)

Teaching tools

Overhead projector, PC, powerpoint, samples of biogenic and biomimetic materials.

Office hours

See the website of Fabrizia Grepioni

See the website of Simona Fermani