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72507-01 - Lecture: (Bio-)Molecular Behaviour at the Nanoscale (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2024 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers |
Sonja Schmid (sonja.schmid@unibas.ch, Assessor)
Yang Yao (yang.yao@unibas.ch) |
| Content | This MSc lecture provides an interdisciplinary overview of the behaviour of molecules and biomolecules at the nanoscale and the latest techniques to study those. In the 1st part of the course, we will discuss the crystallization and molecular dynamics of polymers and water in both hard nanoconfinement and soft nanoconfinement. Through the curriculum, the students will learn the techniques used to study these phenomena, including broadband dielectric spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray scattering. The 2nd part of the course zooms in on bio-macromolecules (proteins, DNA, RNA), their functional dynamics in a ‘jiggling and wiggling’ cellular environment, and also the techniques to reveal and study those with single-molecule resolution. The students will learn the working principles and concepts behind various frontier single-molecule techniques that have revolutionized the way we can monitor inter- and intra-molecular dynamics in the life-sciences: • single-molecule fluorescence imaging and FRET spectroscopies • nanopore technology, incl. biological and solid-state pores • high-speed atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging • force spectroscopies, optical and magnetic tweezers, AFM, AFS, etc. In each case, the required background will be introduced followed by an emphasis on information gain and applications. |
| Learning objectives | • Gaining intuition about the key differences between the behaviour of macroscopic objects known from daily life and the behaviour of (bio-)molecules in nanoscale environments, such as the living cell. • Understand the fundamental principles governing the crystallization and molecular dynamics of polymers and water at the nanoscale, focusing on how confinement influences these properties. • Gain knowledge on broadband dielectric spectroscopy and its application in investigating the molecular dynamics of molecules in various (biologically relevant) environmental conditions. • Acquire knowledge of differential scanning calorimetry to assess the thermal properties and transitions in nanoscale systems. • Gaining an overview about bio-nano techniques with single-molecule resolution. • Being able to explain the unique benefits of single-molecule resolution and the risks of ensemble averaging. • Being able to design single-molecule experiments to address current research questions in the life sciences. |
| Bibliography | The course material will be provided on ADAM. Relevant textbooks include: • Biophysics in the cell. Bornschlögl, Dietz. 2024. Springer Berlin. ISBN-13: 978-3-662-65804-8 • Single-Molecule Techniques: A Laboratory Manual. Ha, Selvin. 2008. CSHL Press. ISBN 978-087969775-4 • Broadband dielectric spectroscopy. F. Kremer, A. Schönhals, 2003. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. ISBN 978-3-642-62809-2 • Dynamics in Geometrical Confinement. F. Kremer, 2014. Springer Cham. ISBN 978-3-319-06099-6 |
| Comments | Access to Rosental 1060, room 7.48 only via gate BPR 1047, Mattenstrasse 24a. Students of the University of Basel have to register on services.unibas.ch for an access to the Rosental until 9 September 2024. |
| Admission requirements | BSc. level chemistry, molecular life sciences, physics courses |
| Course application | Register on services.unibas.ch Registration until 9 September 2024 for access to the Rosental campus. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Friday | 10.15-13.00 | Campus Rosental 1060, Seminarraum 7.48 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 20.09.2024 | 10.15-13.00 | - Siehe Bemerkung, -- |
| Friday 27.09.2024 | 10.15-13.00 | Campus Rosental 1060, Seminarraum 7.48 |
| Friday 04.10.2024 | 10.15-13.00 | Campus Rosental 1060, Seminarraum 7.48 |
| Friday 11.10.2024 | 10.15-13.00 | Campus Rosental 1060, Seminarraum 7.48 |
| Friday 18.10.2024 | 10.15-13.00 | Campus Rosental 1060, Seminarraum 7.48 |
| Friday 25.10.2024 | 10.15-13.00 | Campus Rosental 1060, Seminarraum 7.48 |
| Friday 01.11.2024 | 10.15-13.00 | Campus Rosental 1060, Seminarraum 7.48 |
| Friday 08.11.2024 | 10.15-13.00 | Campus Rosental 1060, Seminarraum 7.48 |
| Friday 15.11.2024 | 10.15-13.00 | Campus Rosental 1060, Seminarraum 7.48 |
| Friday 22.11.2024 | 10.15-13.00 | Campus Rosental 1060, Seminarraum 7.48 |
| Friday 29.11.2024 | 10.15-13.00 | Dies Academicus |
| Friday 06.12.2024 | 10.15-13.00 | Campus Rosental 1060, Seminarraum 7.48 |
| Friday 13.12.2024 | 10.15-13.00 | Campus Rosental 1060, Seminarraum 7.48 |
| Friday 20.12.2024 | 10.15-13.00 | Campus Rosental 1060, Seminarraum 7.48 |
| Modules |
Doctorate Chemistry: Recommendations (PhD subject: Chemistry) Module: Physical Chemistry (Master's Studies: Chemistry) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | The lectures are complemented with at least 1/3 interactive group work modules incl. a journal club and exercises during the lectures. 20%: interactive participation 80%: oral exam |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,5 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Science, studiendekanat-philnat@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Departement Chemie |