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Duration
Identical coursesPhysical Chemistry of Biological Systems (B-KUL-G0G71A)
Aims
The student should be able to:
- analyse binding phenomena and generate binding partition functions for biological systems and generate models for given equations;
- analyse the kinetics of binding phenomena and extract information from kinetic curves; design kinetic experiments to extract rate constants;
- analyse self-assembly of proteins, construct models and design experiments to extract kinetic and equilibrium information;
- explain diffusion and diffusional encounter between molecules and receptors;
- produce and interpret graphical representations of the phenomena.
Previous knowledge
Knowledge of elementary mathematics: algebra, differentiation, integration. Knowledge of the concept of chemical equilibrium and the thermodynamic properties used to characterise equilibria (enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy). General knowledge on the structure of biomolecules.
(Necessary basis to disciplines as offered in the introductory courses Structure, Synthesis and Cellular Function of Macromolecules; Atoomtheorie, chemische periodiciteit en chemische binding)
Is included in these courses of study
- Master of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Leuven) (Specialisation: Biochemistry and Biotechnology) 120 ects.
- Master of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Leuven) (Specialisation: Biophysics) 120 ects.
- Master in de biochemie en de biotechnologie (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Theoretical Chemistry and Computational Modelling (Leuven et al) 120 ects.
- Courses for Exchange Students Faculty of Science (Leuven)
- Master in de nanowetenschappen, nanotechnologie en nano-engineering (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master in de nanowetenschappen, nanotechnologie en nano-engineering (Leuven) (Optie nanobiotechnologie) 120 ects.
- Master in de nanowetenschappen, nanotechnologie en nano-engineering (programma voor industrieel ingenieurs of master industriële wetenschappen - aanverwante richting) (Leuven) (Optie nanobiotechnologie) 120 ects.
- Master of Nanoscience, Nanotechnology and Nanoengineering (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master of Nanoscience, Nanotechnology and Nanoengineering (Leuven) (Option: Nanobiotechnology) 120 ects.
- Courses for Exchange Students Faculty of Engineering Science (Leuven)
- Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (Leuven et al) 120 ects.
- Educatieve master in de wetenschappen en technologie (Leuven) 120 ects.
Activities
6 ects. Physical Chemistry of Biological Systems (B-KUL-G0G71a)
Content
- Interactions between molecules: construction of binding functions and binding partition functions. Principle of linked functions. Cooperativity among sites and allostery. Binding to linear lattices (e.g. nucleic acids), overlapping binding sites (e.g. protein-nucleic acid interactions). A couple of experimental binding techniques: titrations, equilibrium and flow dialysis.
- Kinetic studies of the interaction between molecules: association-, dissociation-, displacement and competition kinetics. Diffusion to molecules and cell surfaces. Experimental techniques.
- Biopolymers as poly-electrolytes: counterion condensation with nucleic acids.
- Self-assembly of linear polymers: actin filaments, microtubules. Theory of Oosawa, dynamic instability. Open structures with length regulation: myosin assembly.
- Biological systems as dissipative structures: kinetic approach, oscillating systems.
Course material
Physical Chemistry: Principles and Applications in Biological Sciences, 4th edition,
Tinoco I., Sauer K., Wang J.C. & Puglisi J.D. (2001), Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0-13-095943-X