Elements of Biophysics. Rita Casadio

Course aims: This course provides the basic elements of biomolecular structure and function and the most appropriate models for their descriptions. At the end of the course, students will acquire skills concerning: - Basic elements of cell biology - Basic elements of structural and functional biology - Basic notions of kinetics and thermodynamics for modelling relevant biological functions in Systems Biology. The course is highly recommended as an introductory course to acquire the necessary expertise to proceed in the curriculum.
Course contents: Biological problems. Biological complexity. Genes, genomes, proteomes, interactomes, reactomes: how to describe the biological complexity at the cell level. Classical biophysics at a molecular level. Basics of DNA, RNA and protein structure. The protein folding problem. The structure-function relationship of biomolecules. Why membranes and compartments. Modelling as in issue for problem solving in modern biology.
Readings/Bibliography: On line.
Teaching methods: Lectures, seminars, lab activity.
Assessment methods: The test of assessment will be written, based on a series of questions to test the basic knowledge of the student
Teaching tools: Videobeam, PC, overhead projector, laboratory activity

Teaching tools: Electronic slides and projector. Personal computer. Black board.