66293 - Solid State Structure and Reactivity

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will have acquired extensive knowledge of the morphological and structural characteristics of inorganic and macromolecular materials and nanomaterials produced by biological systems or synthetic biomimetic materials with important technological applications. Students will also have knowledge of the most modern methods for obtaining protein crystals for structural study using X-ray diffraction.

Course contents

Prerequisites: students enrolling in this course must have a good grounding in the fundamentals of inorganic chemistry and solid state physics.

Programme for Teaching Unit I (2 credits; 16 hours):

1) Fundamentals of solid state physics

2) Fundamentals of crystallography

3) X-ray diffraction: single crystals and powders

4) Definition of the surface of solids

5) Adsorption processes and the laws that govern them

6) Methods of surface characterisation

7) Synthesis of solid state materials

8) Techniques for the production of macroscopic single crystals

9) CVD and PVD techniques

10) Glasses

11) Biomaterials and bioceramics.

Program of the teaching unit II (4 credits; 36 hours):

- 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;
- Crystal symmetry of biological macromolecules;
- X-ray diffraction: physical principles and Bragg's law;
- 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 material projected in the classroom during lessons and made available on the Virtual platform, as well as notes taken by students during lessons, is fundamental. Additional material such as handouts on experiences, scientific articles, reviews, videos, etc., useful for further study and exam preparation, will be made available on the Virtual platform.

For further information, we recommend the following 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

The course is divided into two teaching units. The first (2 credits; 16 hours) consists of lessons with slide projections. The second teaching unit (3 credits; 24 hours) includes lectures with slide projections and laboratory activities (1 credit; 12 hours).

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

PC and video projector, samples of biogenic and biomimetic biomaterials

Office hours

See the website of Simona Fermani

See the website of Silvia Panzavolta