Entry requirements

Biochemistry NV2 and Physical Chemistry MN1 or Physical Biochemistry NV1 or equivalent knowledge.

Aims

The course should provide the student with knowledge of the most important preparative and analytical methods for biomolecules and the underlying background.

Content

Preparation and handling of biological material: Human material, eukaryotic and procaryotic cell culture, sterile techniques. Preparation of antibodies. Separation techniques: cell fractionation methods, isolation of organelles and virus. Centrifugation, sedimentation, phase separation, chromatographic techniques including immobilisation and preparation of adsorbents, electrophoretic methods. Concentration methods and dialysis, semipermeable and specific membranes. Analytical methods: spectroscopy, light scattering, mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, immunochemistry, chemical reagents, isotope techniques. Ion specific electrodes, biosensors. Immobilised macromolecules and liposomes. Macromolecular interactions and enzyme reactions: binding studies with proteins and nucleic acids, steady-state and pre-steady state kinetics. Biological membranes and transport. Theoretical methods: strategies for separation, optimisation, comparison of analytical and preparative methods. Mathematical models for data analysis, modelling of biochemical processes, computer graphic modelling of biomolecular structures and their interactions.

Instruction

Instruction is given in the form of lectures, laboratory projects and theory training. In addition individual literature seminars are included. Participation in laboratory work and seminars is compulsory.

Assessment

Examination is arranged during and at the end of the course. The laboratory work must also be passed. Students who have failed a test have the right to take a new examination at the end of the autumn semester, after Christmas vacations and at the end of the spring semester.