CODE 61738 ACADEMIC YEAR 2024/2025 CREDITS 6 cfu anno 2 SCIENZA E TECNOLOGIA DEI MATERIALI 11430 (LM SC.MAT.) - GENOVA 6 cfu anno 2 FISICA 9012 (LM-17) - GENOVA 6 cfu anno 1 SCIENZA E TECNOLOGIA DEI MATERIALI 11430 (LM SC.MAT.) - GENOVA 6 cfu anno 1 FISICA 9012 (LM-17) - GENOVA 6 cfu anno 3 FISICA 8758 (L-30) - GENOVA SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR FIS/07 LANGUAGE Italian TEACHING LOCATION GENOVA SEMESTER 1° Semester PREREQUISITES Propedeuticità in ingresso Per sostenere l'esame di questo insegnamento è necessario aver sostenuto i seguenti esami: PHYSICS 8758 (coorte 2024/2025) PHYSICS II 57049 2024 PHYSICS 8758 (coorte 2023/2024) PHYSICS II 57049 2023 PHYSICS 8758 (coorte 2022/2023) PHYSICS II 57049 2022 TEACHING MATERIALS AULAWEB OVERVIEW The Biophysics course aims to provide students with the tools to understand the mechanisms underlying the main processes that regulate the functioning of biological phenomena. The complexity of biological systems will be analyzed using the principles of physics and chemistry, the methods of mathematical analysis and computational modeling. AIMS AND CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES The Biophysics course aims to provide students with the tools to understand the mechanisms underlying the main processes that regulate the functioning of biological phenomena. The complexity of biological systems will be analyzed using the principles of physics and chemistry, the methods of mathematical analysis and computational modeling. AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES The course aims to provide students with the basics on some of the main issues in biophysics. At the end of the course the student will be able to: - know in depth the biological macromolecules and the weak interactions that stabilize their structure - understand the mechanisms that govern the physical-chemical equilibrium through model membranes - apply the knowledge acquired on the physical-chemical equilibrium to understand the fundamental processes of active and passive transport through biological membranes - understand the processes of molecular recognition - know the main experimental techniques used in the biophysical field - be able to critically read and understand a scientific article in the field. The Biofisica course can be chosen by students of Master's Degree in Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali with particular reference to "Scienziato dei Materiali: Specialista nella Ricerca" profile. PREREQUISITES The basic knowledge needed to successfully follow the lessons are acquired in the first two years of the three-year degree. TEACHING METHODS The course consists of lessons for a total of 48 hours. Experts are invited to give seminars, in order to deepen some of the issues addressed in the course. The topics covered in the seminars are an integral part of the course programme. Attendance at lessons is strongly recommended. SYLLABUS/CONTENT Intermolecular forces Covalent bond - Electrostatic interactions - Polarizability - Dispersion forces - Van der Waals equation - Hydrogen bond - Hydrophobic interactions. Chemical equilibria Electrochemical potential - Semipermeable membranes: Nernst, Donnan and osmotic equilibrium - Potential at the membrane/solution interface - Monolayers at the interface - Self-organization of molecules on a surface. Transport processes Diffusive and migratory fluxes - Fick's laws - Nernst/Planck's equation - Goldman/Hodgkin/Katz equation. The cell and transport through the cell membrane Constituents of biological matter - The cell membrane - Rest potential of a cell - Carriers and channels for ionic transport - Eyring model. Dynamics of molecular motors Translational motors - Rotating motors. Experimental techniques Protein crystallography - Scanning probe microscopy - Cryo electron microscopy - Molecular dynamics. RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY Reference texts for topics covered in the lessons: J. Israelachvili - Intermolecular and Surface Forces - Academic Press - London C. Branden & J. Tooze, Introduction to Protein Structure G. Rhodes, Crystallography Made Crystal Clear, 2a ed G. Giebish; D.C.Tosteson; H.H. Ussing – Membrane Transport in Biology- Springer Verlag. N.Y. V. Taglietti; C.Casella –Introduzione alla Fisiologia e Biofisica della Cellula. Vol. 2, 3 La Goliardica Pavese. 2008 TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD ORNELLA CAVALLERI Ricevimento: On request ALESSANDRA PESCE Ricevimento: On request Exam Board ALESSANDRA PESCE (President) RANIERI ROLANDI ORNELLA CAVALLERI (President Substitute) LESSONS LESSONS START Follow the link: https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/8758/studenti-orario Class schedule The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy EXAMS EXAM DESCRIPTION The exam consists of an oral test by an examination board composed of two professors and lasts 30-40 minutes. Depending on the regulations related to the COVID-19 emergency, the exams could be carried out online, on the Teams platform. ASSESSMENT METHODS The oral exam is based on a fixed number of questions (the same for all students) that focus on the course program and allows the commission to judge, in addition to the preparation, the degree of achievement of the educational objectives. When these are not achieved, the student is invited to deepen the study and to make use of further explanations by the professor. Exam schedule Data appello Orario Luogo Degree type Note 21/01/2025 09:00 GENOVA Esame su appuntamento 03/02/2025 09:00 GENOVA Esame su appuntamento 16/06/2025 09:00 GENOVA Esame su appuntamento 21/07/2025 09:00 GENOVA Esame su appuntamento 15/09/2025 09:00 GENOVA Esame su appuntamento FURTHER INFORMATION Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison. Agenda 2030 - Sustainable Development Goals Quality education Gender equality