96049 - Spectroscopic Methods for the Functional and Structural Characterization of Proteins

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module the student knows the theoretical principles at the basis of the modern spectroscopic methods employed in structural and functional characterisation of proteins. She/he is able to contextualise these methods in applied examples and to properly select the most efficient spectroscopic approach to investigate the functional or structural property of interest.

Course contents

To profitably follow the course the student should have some background in biochemistry, chemical physics, and physics.

It is not mandatory to attend all the lessons of the course.

Introductory notions. Photoelectric effect and the photon theory of light. Black body radiation. Planck's quantum hypothesis. Wave nature of matter. The Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

General aspects of the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and a molecular system.

Spectroscopy and spectral regions. UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. Electronic transitions in biological molecules. The free electron model of polyenes. Spectrophotometry in the study of proteins and nucleic acids.

Fluorescence spectroscopy. Energy transfer. FRET.

Principles of Raman and infrared spectroscopy.

Introduction to magnetic resonance: NMR and EPR spectroscopy.

Advanced spectroscopic methods: ENDOR, Moessbauer, time resolved spectroscopies, single molecule spectroscopy.

Readings/Bibliography

The teacher will provide the PowerPoint presentations used during the course.

For the introductory part of the course: Douglas C. Giancoli. FISICA. Principi ed Applicazioni. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana (Milano).

Reference textbooks:

(a) C.R. Cantor, P.R. Schimmel. Biophysical Chemistry. II. Techniques for the study of biological structure and function. W.H. Freeman and Co. (San Francisco);

(b) R. Chang, Chimica Fisica, Vol. 2, Zanichelli;

Teaching methods

The course consists of lectures. During the lectures the teacher will present the contents using PowerPoint presentations that will be provided to the students. Questions during lectures and discussion of the presented topics will be encouraged. Attendance of lectures is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended, as the contents will be presented in details.

Assessment methods

The examination aims to ascertain the attainment of the following, main didactic objectives: (a) the knowledge of the basic principles of the spectroscopic methods presented in the lectures; (b) the knowledge of the potentialities of the handled spectroscopic approaches in biological and biochemical studies; (c) the ability of analyzing and discussing spectroscopic results in the context of the scientific literature in the fields of biology, biochemistry, and biophysics. The exam consists in the presentation and discussion of a first argument chosen by the candidate, followed by a colloquium on arguments treated during the course.

Teaching tools

Personal computer, digital projector, PowerPoint presentations, blackboard.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Malferrari