SK2522 Applied Experimental Biophysics 8.0 credits

Topics of the course are biological processes and applications of experimental, biophysical methods to biological systems, which are taken from current research areas. Examples are protein folding, membrane transport, respiration and photosynthesis. Also included are applications of advanced biophysical methods which are not part of the course Experimental Methods in Biomolecular Physics (SK2520), for example single molecule fluorescence, ultra-fast spectroscopy and reaction-induced infrared spectroscopy. Laboratory course work provides hands-on experience with some of the most common biophysical methods in spectroscopy and structure determination (X-ray crystallography, fluorescence, infrared spectroscopy, circular dichroism, EPR, NMR).

Lectures (45 h), Lab experience (60 h).

After the course student will be able to:

• understand important processes of life and how they are studied with biophysical methods
• perform and suggest biophysical experiments to study structural or functional properties of biological molecules
• analyze and draw conclusions from experimental results
• write a short scientific report in English

Recommended prerequisites: SK2520 (Experimental Methods in Biomolecular Physics, 8 hp.)

Literature will be provided.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• LAB1 - Laboratory Work, 3.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• TEN1 - Examination, 5.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Written examination (TEN1, 5 university credits, marks A/B/C/D/E/Fx/F)
Laboratory (LAB1, 3 university credits, marks P/F)

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

The schedule of the course is coordinated with that of the course Experimental Methods in Biomolecular Physics (SK2520) so that both can be read in combination. The course is given in collaboration with the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Stockholm University. Responsible for the course Andreas Barth, SU.