FA550A Phys. Prop. of Biopolymers

Faculty of Science
Spring 2012
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (fasci plus compl plus > 4). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. RNDr. Vladimír Vetterl, DrSc. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Viktor Brabec, DrSc.
Department of Condensed Matter Physics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: prof. RNDr. Vladimír Vetterl, DrSc.
Supplier department: Department of Condensed Matter Physics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
  • Biophysics (programme PřF, N-FY)
  • Biophysics (programme PřF, N-FY, specialization Aplikovaná biofyzika)
  • Biophysics (programme PřF, N-FY, specialization Molekulární biofyzika)
Course objectives
The main objective of the course is to provide the students with the ability to
- list and describe hydrodynamic, electric and magnetic properties of biopolymers
- apply this knowledge to interpretation of UV absorption and CD spectra of these molecules.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction, structure and conformation of biopolymers 2.1. Chemical composition 2.2. Primary, secondary and tertiary structure 2.2.1. DNA as double-helix 2.2.1.1. A-, B- and Z-DNAs 2.2.1.2. Helix-coil transition 2.2.3 Structure and conformation of proteins and polysacharides 2. Hydrodynamic properties 2.1. Viscosity 2.2. Sedimentation 2.3. Difussion 2.4. Osmotic pressure 3. Electric And Magnetic Properties of Nucleic Acids 3.1. Electric properties 3.1.1. Electronic charge distribution 3.1.1.1. Electrons p and s, delocalization 3.1.1.2.Electronic polarizability and dipole moment 3.1.1.3.Molecular electrostatic potential 3.1.2. Interactions of bases, nucleosides and nucleotides with ions 3.1.2.1. Protonation and deprotonation, pk values 3.1.2.2. Metal ions 3.1.2.3. Counterion atmosphere 3.1.3. Forces stabilizing double helical conformation of DNA and synthetic polynucleotides 3.1.3.1. Electronegativity, hydrogen bonds 3.1.3.2. London dispersion forces and stacking forces 3.1.3.3. Hydrophobic interactions 3.1.3.4. Purin water interactions and base stacking 3.1.3.5. Effect of neutral salts on the stability of the double helical conformation 3.1.4. Electric field effects on DNA 3.1.4.1. Polarization of the ionic atmosphere, relaxation 3.1.4.2. Orientation 3.1.4.3. Conformational changes of DNA in the bulk of solution 3.1.4.4. Dissociation field effect 3.1.4.5. Conformational changes of DNA on the electrode surface 3.1.5. Dielectric properties of DNA solutions 3.1.6. Electric properties of DNA in solid state 3.1.6.1. Electric conductivity and photoconductivity 3.1.6.2. Dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties 3.1.7. Nucleic acids in electromagnetic fields 3.1.7.1. Optical activity circular birefringence and circular dichroism 3.1.7.2. Optical anisotropy linear birefringence and linear dichroism 3.1.7.3. Anomalous resonance microwave absorption of DNA 3.2. Magnetic properties 3.2.1. Diamagnetic anisotropy 3.2.2. Degree of orientation of nucleic acids in magnetic field 3.3. Determination of the degree of DNA orientation in the solution in electric and magnetic fields 3.3.1. Methods based on optical anisotropy 3.3.2. Electrochemical methods
Literature
  • V.Brabec, V.Kleinwächter and V.Vetterl: Structure, chemical reactivity and electromagnetic properties of nucleic acids., Bioelectrochemistry: Principles and Practice, Vol.5: Bioelectrochemistry of Biomacromolecules 1997, p.1-104.
Teaching methods
lectures, class discussion
Assessment methods
1 written test, colloqium
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2008 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Spring 2011 - only for the accreditation, Spring 2004, Spring 2005, Spring 2006, Spring 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, spring 2012 - acreditation.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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