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34603-01 - Lecture with internship: A Practical Introduction to Biophysical Methods (2 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers |
Tobias Mühlethaler (t.muehlethaler@unibas.ch)
Timothy Sharpe (timothy.sharpe@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This course provides a practical and theoretical introduction of a range of biophysical methods that can be used to measure the interactions, stability and size of biomolecules. Students will gain hands-on experience of different techniques, an idea of how those techniques can complement each other, and opportunities to discuss which techniques might be suitable for their own projects. The techniques covered in the course will be: isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), microscale thermophoresis (MST), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF), dynamic light scattering (DLS), multi-angle light-scattering (MALS), analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), and mass photometry. At the end of the course, students will be required to write a short proposal (2-4 pages) for the application of at least one of the techniques covered in the course to their own research project. The proposal should demonstrate a theoretical understanding of the technique, consideration of the sample requirements and experimental protocol, and ideas about the potential meaning of the results within the context of their project. Day 1: Overview of methods for biomolecule interactions; Overview of BF resources for users; ITC theory; ITC experiment. Day 2: MST theory; MST experiment; Overview of other methods for studying binding; discussion of more advanced data analysis (global fitting, error analysis). Day 3: Overview of stability screening; DSF theory; DSF experiment; DLS theory; DLS experiment Day 4: Overview of mass and size determination; MALS theory; MALS experiment; Mass Photometry theory and experiment; AUC theory and data analysis. |
| Comments | please register in services and with phd-biozentrum@unibas.ch as spaces are limited! Course dates for 2025: Course 1: 14 April - 17 April Course 2: 5 May - 8 May |
| Weblink | Graduate Teaching Program |
| Admission requirements | The courses are limited to a maximum of 4 participants, PhD students only. The course must be fully attended, otherwise the CPs can not be awarded. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block | See individual dates | ||
| Block | See individual dates | ||
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 14.04.2025 | 09.30-16.00 | --, -- |
| Tuesday 15.04.2025 | 09.30-16.00 | --, -- |
| Wednesday 16.04.2025 | 09.30-16.00 | --, -- |
| Thursday 17.04.2025 | 09.30-16.00 | Ostern |
| Monday 05.05.2025 | 09.30-16.00 | --, -- |
| Tuesday 06.05.2025 | 09.30-16.00 | --, -- |
| Wednesday 07.05.2025 | 09.30-16.00 | --, -- |
| Thursday 08.05.2025 | 09.30-16.00 | --, -- |
| Modules |
Cycle I: Practical and Experimental Skills (Master's Studies: Molecular Biology) Doctorate Biochemistry: Recommendations (PhD subject: Biochemistry) Doctorate Biophysics: Recommendations (PhD subject: Biophysics) Doctorate Cell Biology: Recommendations (PhD subject: Cell Biology) Doctorate Computational Biology: Recommendations (PhD subject: Computational Biology) Doctorate Genetics: Recommendations (PhD subject: Genetics) Doctorate Microbiology: Recommendations (PhD subject: Microbiology) Doctorate Molecular Biology: Recommendations (PhD subject: Molecular Biology) Doctorate Neurobiology: Recommendations (PhD subject: Neurobiology) Doctorate Pharmacology: Recommendations (PhD subject: Pharmacology) Doctorate Structural Biology: Recommendations (PhD subject: Structural Biology) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Science, studiendekanat-philnat@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Departement Biozentrum |