Course Home Page http://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/~bioph ysics/pc3267/indexa.html Password: pc3267 Please familiarize yourselves with the information there, especially with respect to the tutorials and other matters Why is biophysics important? Why is PHYSICS important in life science? Essential physical means to explore the mystery of life, ie. X-ray, NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), etc. Physical principles and underlying mechanisms of many phenomena and problems associated with life sciences. DNA-Utmost important discovery for the mystery of life: James Watson (left) and Francis Crick (right) deduced molecular configuration of DNA in 1953. 1
Why is PHYSICS important in life science? - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) The Nucleus in a Magnetic Field Precession & Boltzmann distribution When the Nucleus meets the right radiation- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Aim of this course By delivering general knowledge concerning the basic principles and importance of physics in life sciences, the aim is to establish the interconnectedness of knowledge between human life and activity and basic physics. To establish the essential knowledge and practical skills in modern life sciences. Course Outline Course Outline (cont d) Biophysical description of Macromolecules Physical and structural characteristics of proteins and amino acids. Molecular physical interactions in macromolecular structures; Physical environment in the cell; physical and symmetry relationships between molecules. Bio-molecular thermodynamics/statistics First law of thermodynamics; molecular interpretation of thermodynamic quantities; Second law of thermodynamics in biological systems; Statistical complications in modeling macromolecular structure; Molecular mechanics; bonding and non-bonding potentials; stabilizing interactions in macromolecules. 2
What is to be gained at the end of the Course? Reference Texts: Compulsory You would be able to obtain essential knowledge of bio-physical principles which play a very important part in many fields of life sciences. It will help you take other advanced modules in life sciences related subjects. You should be equipped with the basic knowledge/skills to carry out life sciences related research Principles of Physical Biochemistry, K. Van Holde, W. Johnson, Pui Shing Ho, Prentice-Hall, ISBN: 0-13-720459-0 Reference Texts: Compulsory Biological Physics, Philip Nelson, W.H. Freeman and Company, ISBN: 0-7167-4372-8 Reference Texts: Supplementary Biophysics, An Introduction, C. Sybesma, Kluwer Academic Publishers, ISBN: 0-7923-0029-7 Biophysics, Roland Glaser, Springer, ISBN: 3-540-67088-2 3
The most exciting challenges Vision + talent + Aiming at the best Biophysics Teaching Web: http://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/%7ebiophysics/ Biophysics Research Web: http://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/~interface Module Structure/Assessment Biophysics II II (PC3267) ~ 20 20 Lectures 15 15 hours hours (Du (Du Ning) Ning) (3) (3) Experiments (20%) (20%) Official Lecture Time Twice a week Tue: 8:15-9:45 am, S13-0507 Friday, 8:15-9:45 am, S13-0507 4~5 4~5 Tutorials (5%) 1 Test Test (10%) Final Final Exam Exam (50%) (50%) Short project Discussion (10%) (5%) (5%) 4
Tutorial Arrangements 4~5 tutorials Venue: S13-0507 Time: 8:15-9:45 am Divided to groups. Each group consists of ~4 students with a leader. During the tutorials one of each group member may be asked to present his/her solutions. Exp Arrangements 3 experiments (in total, 4 experiments are provided). Start at the end of Jan (to be announced). Dr. Du Ning Email: phydn@nus.edu.sg; Tel: (65) 65166598; Office: S11-02-03. Term Test Project (cont.) Test: Test Mar 2, 2007, Fri Venue: S13-0507. Time: 8:30-9:30am (1 hr) Aim: To provide the opportunity for you to get in touch with some frontiers in biophysics. Active-learning Scripps Res. Inst. Team work 5
Project (cont.) Learn Actively During Lectures Topic: To be chosen by yourself from the list provided in the web. Choose a topic and submit an abstract (~100 words) to Du Ning by 9 Feb. 2007 Carry out readings on this topic, and write a 5 page essay (the references, appendices, etc. are not counted). Deadline of submission: March 30, 2007. A late submission will NOT be accepted! Try to understand the key concepts during the lecture itself, as details can be filled in afterwards Please do not hesitate to stop me to ask questions if things are not clear to you, or if I am going too fast Expectations Taking Notes Please be punctual for lectures, as missing even a small portion might make it harder to follow at a later stage Just jot down key points, or something that strikes you Attendance is very important, as slides will deliberately be kept brief, and only elaborated upon in the lectures Slides will be made available on the web a few days before each lecture (which you may want to print out beforehand) Students should take the initiative to read up further on the lecture material to enhance their understanding 6
Contact Information A/Prof. Dr. Xiang Yang LIU Tel: 6874 2812 Email: phyliuxy@nus.edu.sg Office: S13, M01-4 Teaching Assistant (experiment): Dr. Du Ning Office: S11-02-03, Lab: S7-01-17 Tel: 6516 6598 (office) Email: phydn@nus.edu.sg 7