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LAB OF BIOPHYSICS

CODE 62739
ACADEMIC YEAR 2022/2023
CREDITS
  • 6 cfu during the 2nd year of 9017 SCIENZA E INGEGNERIA DEI MATERIALI (LM-53) - GENOVA
  • 6 cfu during the 1st year of 11430 SCIENZA E TECNOLOGIA DEI MATERIALI (LM SC.MAT.) - GENOVA
  • 6 cfu during the 1st year of 9012 FISICA(LM-17) - GENOVA
  • 6 cfu during the 2nd year of 9012 FISICA(LM-17) - GENOVA
  • SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR FIS/07
    TEACHING LOCATION
  • GENOVA
  • SEMESTER 1° Semester
    PREREQUISITES
    Prerequisites
    You can take the exam for this unit if you passed the following exam(s):
    • PHYSICS 9012 (coorte 2021/2022)
    • MATTER PHYSICS 2 61844
    • THEORETICAL PHYSICS 61842
    • NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS 2 61847
    TEACHING MATERIALS AULAWEB

    OVERVIEW

     

    The Biophysics laboratory allows students to learn the most modern experimental methods to investigate biological samples, working directly on research equipment supplied by the Biophysics group operating within the Department of Physics.

     

    AIMS AND CONTENT

    LEARNING OUTCOMES

    The course teaches some techniques for the study of the physical properties of biological systems.

    AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

    The student will learn how to deal with complex biophysical problems, such as the self-assembly of biomolecules, the folding and unfolding of proteins and the transport processes through the cell membrane. The investigation will carried out at the molecular or single cell level.
    
    At the end of the course the student will be able to:
    
    - understand which experimental methods are best suited to study a particular biophysical process
    
    - apply the acquired knowledge to design a biophysical experiment
    
    - acquire the skills to conduct an experiment in the laboratory
    
    - critically analyze the results of an experiment
    
     

    The Biophysics Laboratory teaching can be chosen by students enrolled in the Master's Degree Course in Materials Science and Technology with particular reference to the "Materials Scientist: Research Specialist" profile.

     

    
     

    PREREQUISITES

    The course can be followed with profit by students who have obtained a three-year degree in a scientific field.

    TEACHING METHODS

    The course includes both lectures and laboratory experiences. Lectures are preparatory to the performance of laboratory experiences. For each laboratory experience, students are required to write a scientific report. Each report must contain an introductory part describing the state of the art, a part with the results obtained and a critical discussion of the results.

    SYLLABUS/CONTENT

    Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM): operating principle, scanning system, operation mode (constant current/height), resolution
    
    Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM): operating principle, scanning system, operation mode (contact/tapping), resolution, force spectroscopy, nanolithography (nanoshaving and nanografting)
    
    Optical microscopy: fluorescence, confocal and two-photon microscopy, operating principles, fluorescent probes, photobleaching, super-resolution techniques
    
    Patch clamp technique for electrophysiological measurements: seal test, main configurations (whole cell, inside-out, outside-out, perforated patch), analysis of ionic currents
    
    Protein crystallography: protein crystallization methods, outline of the methods used to determine the 3D structure of proteins
    
    Laboratory experiences focus on the topics covered in the lectures. In particular:
    
    - atomic force microscopy for the study of protein structures and thin organic films
    
    - single-cell fluorescence microscopy for the study of intracellular calcium
    
    - confocal and super-resolution microscopy
    
    - patch clamp technique for the study of ionic currents across the cell membrane
    
    - protein crystallization and crystal observation / manipulation
    
     
    
     

    RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

    All the necessary material will be provided on Aulaweb

    TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

    Exam Board

    ALBERTO GIOVANNI DIASPRO (President)

    ELENA GATTA

    ALESSANDRA PESCE

    ORNELLA CAVALLERI (President Substitute)

    LESSONS

    LESSONS START

    The course takes place in the first semester.

    Class schedule

    LAB OF BIOPHYSICS

    EXAMS

    EXAM DESCRIPTION

    The exam consists of an oral test during which the student presents, at his or her choice, one of the experiences carried out in the laboratory and answers questions asked by the jury relating to the other topics of the course and to the reports describing the laboratory experiences.
    
     
    
     

    ASSESSMENT METHODS

    The verification of learning will take place through the drafting of a scientific report for each experience conducted in the laboratory. Each report must contain an introductory part describing the state of the art, a part with the results obtained and finally a critical discussion of the results.

    Exam schedule

    Date Time Location Type Notes
    25/01/2023 09:00 GENOVA Orale
    15/02/2023 09:00 GENOVA Orale
    20/06/2023 09:00 GENOVA Orale
    19/07/2023 09:00 GENOVA Orale
    12/09/2023 09:00 GENOVA Orale