66293 - Solid State Structure and Reactivity

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student will have gained an extensive understanding of the morphological and structural characteristics of materials and nanomaterials, including inorganic and macromolecular substances, derived from biological systems or synthetic biomimetic materials with substantial technological applications. Furthermore, the student will be proficient in contemporary techniques for the crystallization of proteins for structural analysis using X-ray diffraction.

Course contents

Prerequisites: Students enrolling in this course should possess a solid foundation in inorganic chemistry and solid-state physics.

 

Program of Unit I:

- Fundamentals of Solid-State Physics;

- Nucleation theory;

- Definition of Solid Surfaces;

- Adsorption Processes and Governing Laws;

- Surface Characterization Methods;

- Synthesis of Solid-State Materials;

- Techniques for Producing Macroscopic Single Crystals;

- CVD and PVD Techniques;

- Biomaterials and Bioceramics;

- X-ray diffraction of  powders.

 

Program of Unit II:

- Introduction to biocrystallography and comparison with other structural techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron microscopy under cryogenic conditions (cryo-EM);

- Crystallization of biological macromolecules: basic principles of crystallization, nucleation mechanisms, properties of crystals of biological macromolecules and main techniques for crystallization of biological macromolecules;

- Fundamentals of Crystallography;

- Crystal symmetry of biological macromolecules;

- X-ray diffraction: physical principles, Bragg's law and single crystal;

- X-ray sources: conventional generators and synchrotron;

- Phase problem in crystallography and methods for structural resolution of proteins;

- Structure validation and deposit in the Protein Data Bank.

This unit involves 1 CFU laboratory divided into 3 experiences in which the student will apply one of the crystallization techniques of biological macromolecules, examination of the results and determination of the structure of a protein.

Readings/Bibliography

The use of lecture materials presented during class sessions and made available on the Virtuale platform, along with the student’s own lecture notes, will be of fundamental importance. Additional supplementary resources—including laboratory manuals, scientific articles, literature reviews, multimedia content, and other materials useful for in-depth study and exam preparation—will also be made accessible through the Virtuale platform.

 

For further in-depth study, the following references are recommended:

- Mann, S. Biomimetic Materials Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH; 1997.

- Kendall, J.B., ed. Biomaterials Research Advances. New York, NY: Nova Science Publishers; 2010: pp. 93–143.

- Dee, K.C., Puleo, D.A., Bizios, R. An Introduction to Tissue–Biomaterial Interactions. Hoboken: Wiley-Liss; 2003.

- Guthrie, J.D., Mossman, B.T., eds. Health Effects of Mineral Dusts. Reviews in Mineralogy, Vol. 28. Chelsea, MI: Mineralogical Society of America; 1993.

- Bergfors, T., ed. Protein Crystallization, 2nd ed. La Jolla, CA: International University Line; 2009.

- McPherson, A. Preparation and Analysis of Protein Crystals. Krieger Publishing.

- McRee, D.E. Practical Protein Crystallography, 2nd ed.

Teaching methods

The course is divided into two instructional units. The first consists of lectures supported by slide presentations. The second instructional unit includes lectures with slide presentations as well as laboratory activities.

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning occurs through an oral examination divided into two parts. The examination is designed to test the skills and abilities acquired during the course, including the ability to read in depth and present in a comprehensive manner a scientific article relevant to the course topics (teaching unit I) and to present in an organized and critical manner the results obtained in the laboratory (teaching unit II).

The duration of the oral examination is on average 30-45 minutes for both teaching units. The grade is the average resulting from the evaluation of the two parts in proportion to the number of cfu of the 2 units.

Not sufficient assessment: deficient knowledge of course topics, errors in basic chemical concepts, inappropriate language.

Sufficient assessment: minimal knowledge of the topics covered in the course, poor argumentation skills, some errors even serious ones and barely appropriate language.

Good assessment: good knowledge of the topics covered in the course and good argumentative and expository skills with correct language. Some errors and/or imperfections not serious.

Excellent assessment: very good mastery, ability to elaborate and expound on the topics of the course. Use of highly appropriate language.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities are strongly encouraged to contact the University’s Disability and SLD Services Office in a timely manner: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it . The office will provide personalized support and propose any necessary accommodations.

Any proposed accommodations must be submitted to the course instructor at least 15 days in advance for approval. The instructor will evaluate each request with respect to the Learning Objectives of the Course.

Teaching tools

Overhead projector, computer, video projector, and samples of biogenic and biomimetic biomaterials.

Office hours

See the website of Giuseppe Falini

See the website of Simona Fermani