CM-B-2 Biophysical Chemistry (Lecture + exercise course + seminar)

Course content

Intended learning outcomes:
The students know the basics of the most important physicochemical methods for the elucida-tion of biomolecular interactions and structures and are able to decide which modern or traditional method is most efficient to answer such biochemical questions. They know the limitations and dynamic range of these methods and the importance of structure and dynamics of biomolecules for their function. Students will be able to classify which methods are suitable for studying biomolecules and answering biomolecular questions in the different environments of industrial or basic research.

Course content:
Lecture Biophysikcal Chemistry: Brief review of biochemical and microbiological basics, traditional methods such as fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy, light scattering, Raman spectroscopy, NMR, ESR and mass spectrometry on biomolecules. Modern methods such as fluorescence microscopy, single molecule detection, nonlinear and ultrafast spectroscopy or nanotechnology to study biomolecules. Prospects for industrial applications and drug discovery.
Exercise: Independent calculation and answering of questions with corrections by instructors and assistants, discussion of solution methods in the exercise.
Lecture Applied Biophysical Chemisty: In this course, the knowledge gained will be deepened through guest lectures on concrete examples of industrial research, e.g. in combination with an excursion to a pharmaceutical company, or from basic research, e.g. at Max Planck Institutes.