PHYS 307 -- Introduction to Biophysics: Lab - Spring 2009
(Note: This syllabus is subject to change. Rev. 2/8/09)
Location:  MP408 or SN414     Time: Thursday 12:40pm – 3:30pm
Text:    "Phys307 Lab Exercises" by Byung Kim
Instructor:    Dr. Byung Kim    ByungKim@boisestate.edu     (208) 426-3659     MP-425
Office Hours:    Tu 1:30pm – 4:30pm or by appointment

GOAL: Enhanced understanding of the biomolecular structures, biomolecular interactions, and mechanical properties of biomolecular materials by using various state of the art biophysical techniques including atomic force microscopy (AFM). The specific goals are 1) to understand the biological phenomena with the current biophysical methods and techniques and 2) to introduce “single molecular biophysics”. Assessment will come from your best 13 out of 14 graded lab reports.
 Wk  Thursday Date  Topics
 
  Part 1:   Bonds, Molecules, Thermodynamics, and Some Techniques and Methods
1. 1/22 Validity of the Quantum Physics
2. 1/29 Hydrogen Bonding: Capillary Force by AFM
3. 2/5 Beer Law and Reaction Kinetics
4. 2/12 Choice 1
5. 2/19 Choice 2
6 2/26 Choice 3
7. 3/5 Choice
Choice: Brownian Motion, Gel electrophoresis, Microwave Bragg Diffraction, scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM)
8. 3/12 Magnetic resonance technique (NMR)
  Part 2:   Nucleic Acids, Proteins and Membranes
9. 3/19 Plasmid DNA Topology
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SPRING BREAK 3/23 - 3/27
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10. 4/2 Biomolecular Interaction: Probing Protein-Ligand Interaction by AFM
11. 4/9 Artificial Membranes: Vesicular Structure of Phospholipid in Water
12. 4/16 Membrane Structures: Bacterial Systems (E-Coli, Yeast, Staphylococcus)
  Part 3:  Photosynthesis, Ion Channels and Nerve Systems
13. 4/23 Adsorption Spectrum of Chlorophyll: VIS-NIR spectrometer
14. 4/30 Nerve Signals
15. 5/7 Optical Tweezers (optional)
16. 5/15 Finals Week (No Lab)