SPETTROSCOPIA BIOMOLECOLARE

The aim of the course is to provide the basic notions to understand the potential and limitations in the use of different spectroscopic techniques for the characterization of molecules of biological interest.

Reminder of electromagnetic waves. Interaction of E.M. waves with the matter. Reflection, refraction, absorption, emission, diffusion. Infrared and Raman absorption vibrational spectroscopy: experimental aspects and quantitative analysis. Vibrational and rotational modes of molecules in liquids and gases.; the chemical shift Vibrations of particular groups in molecules of biological interest. UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy: experimental aspects and quantitative analysis. Electronic transitions between molecular orbitals. Characteristic chromophores and absorptions. Effects of the solvent and of the interactions between dipoles. Fluorescence and phosphorescence: origin and characteristic parameters. Lifetimes and energy transfers. Labeling with fluorophores and fluorescence microscopy. Magnetic spectroscopies: NMR and EPR. The spin and the magnetic field. Analytical, kinetic and structural applications. Spin labeling. Put them into biological molecules. Elastic diffusion: physical principles. Dependence on wavelength and size of molecules. Measurements of radius of gyration and molecular weight. Turbidity measurements. Optical activity: Circular Dichroism and Optical Rotatory Dispersion. Influence of the secondary structure of proteins and conformational variations. Microscopy: optical, electronic and fluorescence. Resolving power. Preparation of biological samples.

I.D. Campbell, R. A. Dwek, "Biological Spectroscopy", Benjamin-Cummings Pub Co.

G. G. Hammes, "Spectroscopy for the Biological Sciences", Wiley-Interscience

P. Atkins, J. De Paula, Chimica Fisica Biologica, Zanichelli