Master Program in Molecular Biotechnology

Supramolecular and bioinorganic chemistry

Supramolecular and bioinorganic chemistry

Academic year 2020/2021

• SUPRAMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND SPECTROSCOPIC METHODS (BIO0153 Pds 307-DDD)

Sommario del corso

• Course objectives
• Results of learning outcomes
• Course delivery
• Learning assessment methods
• Support activities
• Program
• Suggested textbooks and readings
• Notes
• Teaching tools

Course objectives

The course aims at providing the students with the fundamentals of molecular recognition (host-guest), of the interactions responsible for the formation of supramolecular systems and on the role of metals in biological systems and medicine.

The student will be introduced to the principal classes of supramolecular systems (organic / inorganic of biological interest) together with the main techniques currently used for their characterization.

Results of learning outcomes

- Knowledge of the nature of non-covalent interactions at the basis of the formation of supramolecular compounds which are held together by intermolecular bonds.

- Knowledge of the basic coordination chemistry and of the interdisciplinary approach to study the peculiar role of metals in biology and their interaction with organic and biological molecules.

-Basic knowledge of the roles of metals in biological systems and intermolecular interactions.

- Role of supramolecular compunds and nanosystems in biomedicine

Course delivery

20 hours lesson + 4 hours seminars

Learning assessment methods

Students will be invited to prepare a power point presentation about a paper dealing with topics related to the Course programme. The capability to critically analyse the paper will be evaluted. 

The final examination is carried out in oral form.

The final mark is expressed in thirtieths and it will be the sum of the score obtained in the final oral examination plus the evaluation of the power point presentation. 

Support activities

The teacher is avaiable for any question and doubt though mail, face to face (if possible) or webex meetings

Program

1) Principles of the molecular recognition (Hydrogen-bond and the weak intermolecular interactions, the coordinative bond; chelating effect)

2) The determination of the thermodynamic stability constant of host/guest supramolecular adducts

3) Organic and Inorganic supramolecular systems; Self-assembling systems: Cyclodesxtrins, Micelles and Liposomes, silica nanoparticels, metal nanoparticles. Study of biomedical applications of supramolecular ssytems. Basis of molecular machines.

4) Basic coordination chemistry for biotechnologists.

5) Application of spectroscopic methods to study metals in biological systems.

6) Biological ligands for metal ions.

7) Transition metals in biology; the role of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co

8) Use of metals in biomedicine (as diagnostic and therapeutic tools)

9) The role of metals in brain physiology and in neurodegeneration

BOOKS

1)Jonathan W. Steed, David R. Turner, Karl J. Wallace, ¸Core Concepts in Supramolecular Chemistry and Nanochemistry; Wiley, 2007.

2) JW Steed, JL Atwood Supramolecular Chemistry, Wiley, 2009.

3) RR Crichton Biological Inorganic Chemistry, Elsevier, 2013.

Additional readings

1) Papers and reviews will be suggested by the teacher during the course

Note

Le modalità di svolgimento dell'attività didattica potranno subire variazioni in base alle limitazioni imposte dalla crisi sanitaria in corso. In ogni caso è assicurata la modalità a distanza per tutto l'anno accademico.

Students are required to register for the course both on campusnet (https://biotec.campusnet.unito.it) and on the Moodle (https://biotec.i-learn.unito.it) platform.

The didactic material will be present on both platforms.

• Teaching materials
• Exams and finals
• Go to Moodle
• Visit the forums