METHODS FOR THE STUDY OF BIOINORGANIC SYSTEMS

Knowledge and understanding:

Knowledge of techniques for the study of biomolecules and bioinorganic systems

Applied knowledge and understanding:

Ability to apply the acquired knowledge to interpret experimental data and propose biomolecule characterization techniques

Autonomy of judgment:

Ability to critically interpret the data obtained using the techniques discussed in the course.

Communication skills:

Acquire language properties in describing the principles and applications of the techniques learned.

Ability to learn:

Develop the necessary skills by participating in lessons and studying the material provided and deepen the knowledge acquired in the  characterization of biomolecules.

In-room lectures and discussion.  

• Circular dichroism spectroscopy. Physical basis of CD. Selection rules. Exciton coupling. Static and dynamic coupling. Octant rule. CD sepctra of biomolecules. 
• XAS spectroscopy. Physical bases. Application for the study of metalloproteins. 
• The physical basis of NMR spectroscopy.  Nuclear Angular Moment and magnetic moment. Nuclei in a magnetic field. 
• Basic Principles of the NMR experiment.  The resonance condition. The pulse. Relaxation. Fourier transformation. 
• The Chemical Shift. Nuclear shielding. 
• Coupling. Spin-Spin coupling. Equivalent neighboring nuclei. Dependence of bond angle. 
• Double resonance experiments. Simplification of spectra by selective spin decoupling. NOE. effect.  Decoupling in ¹³C NMR spectra.
• NMR 2D. Basic Principles.  COSY. TOCSY, ETCOR, NOESY e ROESY. 3D and 4D NMR. Exercises.
• Dynamic NMR. Exchange processes.  DOSY.
• MRI. Basic Principles. Contrast agents used in the clinic. 
• EPR.  Physical bases. Application for the study of metalloproteins. 

The Basics of NMR by J.P. Hornak              Hypertext based NMR course http://www.cis.rit.edu/htbooks/nmr/nmr-main.htm

Horst Friebolin  Basic One- and Two-Dimensional NMR Spectroscopy Wiley.VCH

Alison Rodger, Bengt Nordén Circular Dichroism and Linear Dichroism Oxford University Press

Learning will be verified during the course through classroom exercises and through a final exam.

The final exam consists of a written test and an oral test.

The written test consists of mostly open-ended application exercises.

After passing the written test (with a grade of at least 18/30) you can take the oral test, which is based on clarification of the written test and other verification questions.

The final mark takes into account the marks attributed to all the tests.