Membrane Biophysics
Code: 100906 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2500252 Biochemistry | OT | 4 |
Contact
- Name:
- Ramon Barnadas Rodriguez
- Email:
- ramon.barnadas@uab.cat
Teachers
- Ramon Barnadas Rodriguez
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
General concepts related to biochemistry and physical chemistry.
Objectives and Contextualisation
To interpret the properties derived from the composition and molecular organization of biological membranes.
To know the structural and dynamic characteristics of the major components of biological membranes: lipids and proteins.
To establish the relationships between the molecular structure of lipids and proteins with their physiological functions and diseases.
To know the molecular mechanisms of signal transduction through cell envelopes or the transport of molecules through biological membranes.
To know methods and techniques used in the study of biomembranes.
To relate the composition of the components of lipid drug delivery systems with their properties.
Competences
- Act with ethical responsibility and respect for fundamental rights and duties, diversity and democratic values.
- Be able to self-evaluate.
- Clearly perceive current advances and possible future developments by reviewing scientific and technical literature in the area of biochemistry and molecular biology.
- Collaborate with other work colleagues.
- Define the structure and function of proteins and describe the biochemical and molecular bases of their folding, intracellular traffic, post-translational modification and replacement.
- Design experiments and understand the limitations of experimental approaches.
- Explain the structure of cell membranes and their role in signal transduction processes, the transport of solubles and the transduction of energy.
- Interpret experimental results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
- Introduce changes in the methods and processes of the field of knowledge to provide innovative responses to the needs and demands of society.
- Read specialised texts both in English and one's own language.
- Think in an integrated manner and approach problems from different perspectives.
- Understand the language and proposals of other specialists.
- Use the basics of mathematics, physics and chemistry that are required to understand, develop and evaluate the chemical procedures of living matter.
Learning Outcomes
- Act with ethical responsibility and respect for fundamental rights and duties, diversity and democratic values.
- Be able to self-evaluate.
- Collaborate with other work colleagues.
- Compare the methods and findings that have led to the establishment of the structure and function of biological membranes.
- Design experiments and understand the limitations of experimental approaches.
- Explain in detail the biophysical methods used to reveal the dynamic structure and properties of proteins.
- Identify fundamental issues in present-day biophysics.
- Identify scientific and technical advances in biophysics.
- Interpret experimental results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
- Introduce changes in the methods and processes of the field of knowledge to provide innovative responses to the needs and demands of society.
- Read specialised texts both in English and one's own language.
- Think in an integrated manner and approach problems from different perspectives.
- Understand the language and proposals of other specialists.
Content
MEMBRANE BIOPHYSICS
1. LIPIDS
1.1. Introduction. Overview of lipid classification.
1.2. Structure and function relationship of the different types of lipids.
1.3. Lipid properties and study techniques.
1.3.1. Hydrocarbon chains.
1.3.2. Interfacial region.
1.3.3. Polar head.
1.4. Lipid polymorphism. Study techniques.
1.4.1. Properties of lipid aggregates at the nanometric range.
1.4.2. Type, preparation and applications of lipid aggregates.
1.4.3. Liposomes, micelles, bicelles.
1.5. Lipidic drug delivery systems.
2. MEMBRANE PROTEINS
2.1. Classification of membrane proteins.
2.2. Modifications of membrane proteins.
2.3. Structural principles and topology of membrane proteins.
2.4. Biogenesis and folding of membrane proteins.
2.5. Experimental and computational techniques for the study of membrane proteins:
2.5.1 Expression, analysis, purification and characterization of membrane proteins.
2.5.2 Interaction of membrane proteins with biological membranes.
3. SPECIALIZED SEMINARS PERFORMED BY STUDENTS
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Master class with IT support | 35 | 1.4 | 3, 4, 5, 13, 6, 8, 7, 9, 11, 12, 2 |
| Seminars regarding subject main topics. Discussion of topics. | 7 | 0.28 | 3, 4, 13, 6, 8, 7, 11, 12 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Laboratory practical sessions | 8 | 0.32 | 4, 5, 6, 8, 7, 12, 2 |
| Tutoring sessions | 6 | 0.24 | 4, 13, 6, 8, 7, 11, 12 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Autonomous study | 53 | 2.12 | |
| Bibliography search and seminar preparation | 30 | 1.2 | |
| Deliverables | 2 | 0.08 | 3, 9, 11, 12, 2 |
The theory classes will be in complete groups.
There will be seminars in which students will present in small groups subjects related to different aspects of the structure and function of the biological membranes.
Attendance at the seminars will be monitored, and the mark obtained will be considered only when attendance is equal to or greater than 80 % of the seminars.
The practical classes will consist of 2 laboratory sessions:
1.- Obtaining phospholipid / surfactant phase diagram (4 hours).
2.- Quantification of the entrapment of a hydrophilic molecule into liposomes (4 hours).
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluation of deliverables | 10% | 2 | 0.08 | 3, 4, 5, 13, 6, 8, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 2 |
| Evaluation of oral presentations | 6% | 3 | 0.12 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 13, 6, 8, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 2 |
| Evaluation of practical sessions | 14% | 1 | 0.04 | 3, 4, 5, 13, 6, 9, 10, 12, 2 |
| Evaluation of theoretical knowledge. Short answer test and multiple-choice test. | 70% (Multiple-choice 60% + Short-answer 40%) | 3 | 0.12 | 4, 5, 13, 6, 8, 7, 9, 11, 12 |
1. CONTINUOUS EVALUATION
It consists of the following parts:
(a) Two eliminatory partial exams of theoretical knowledge subject (35% of the final grade each).
b) An evaluation of the laboratory practices (14%). Attendance to the practical sessions is mandatory. The student will obtain the grade of "Not evaluable" when the absence is higher than 20% of the scheduled sessions.
c) An evaluation of evaluable work proposed throughout the course (10%).
d) An evaluation of the seminars (6%), in case of complying with the attendance indicated in Methodology (equal or superior to 80% of the seminars).
A minimum passing grade of 4 in each one of the two theoretical exams is required to pass the subject.
Students who have not passed any of them, and who have been evaluated in a set of activities whose weight is equivalent to a minimum of 67% of the total grade of the course, may take a recovery exam that will consist of the parts not passed.
The student will obtain the grade of "Not Evaluable" when the evaluation activities carried out have a weight of less than 67% in the final grade.
Configuration of the tests
As for the two eliminatory exams, they will consist of multiple-choice questions and short questions.
The evaluation of the laboratory practices will be based on the work and the results obtained, which will be presented in a report (14 %).
It is necessary to deliver throughout the course the works that will be proposed (10 %).
The evaluation of the seminars will be based on the evaluation of the presentation sessions (6 %).
2. SINGLE EVALUATION
Students who take advantage of the single evaluation must carry out the laboratory practices. An attendance of less than 80% of the scheduled sessions isnot allowed.
Regarding the evaluation, it will be done coinciding with the last continuous evaluation test.
The test will consist of the following parts:
(a) An exam on lipids and on proteins (35% each). To pass the course it is indispensable to have obtained a minimum grade of 4 in each of these parts.
b) The delivery of the practical report (14%).
c) An oral test on the work proposed throughout the course (10%).
d) The presentation and oral discussion of an article with the professors (6%).
3. FINAL MARK
Weighted mean of a) to d). To pass the subject the overall mark should be 5.0 or higher.
4. EXAM REVIEW
On-demand exam reviewing will be done individually with the student.
Bibliography
Research articles that are part of the teaching materials.
Software
UCSF Chimera
https://www.cgl.ucsf.edu/chimera/
VMD (Visual Molecular Dynamics)
https://www.ks.uiuc.edu/Research/vmd/
Language list
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 341 | Catalan | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 341 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 34 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |