Biophysical-Chemical Concepts

The course covers biophysical and chemical processes in the environment and in biological systems. The practical part of the course includes  spectroscopic measurements on proteins and their interaction with small organic molecules, equilibrium calculations based on fugacity concepts and characterization of molecular adsorption on organic/biological (e.g. nanotubes, membranes) and inorganic surfaces (e.g. different minerals). The course covers the following areas: thermodynamics, absorption processes, kinetics, fugacity, physicochemical properties, molecular dynamics and spectroscopic methods with focus on mainly NMR spectroscopy as well as Raman, IR and Fluorescence spectroscopy. The course also contains a literature project that includes literature search, followed the presentation of the project orally but also in written form. The course also addresses the theory of science and ethics. The practical moments of the course are closely related to ongoing research at Umeå University in the area of proteins, and pharmaceutical and environmental chemistry.