Applied Structural Biology

This practical course is based on mini-projects involving the application of techniques for studying the structure of biomolecules (X-ray crystallography, NMR, cryo-EM, mass spectrometry). Students will also learn about the biophysical and biochemical techniques used to characterize the molecules analyzed and their interactions.

For each approach, students will learn the basic principles, sample preparation requirements, data acquisition and analysis.

Students will learn to use the various tools available for the structural characterization of biomolecules and their interactions. They will also learn how to combine these different tools to answer a given biological question.

- Structural biochemistry: structures and physico-chemical properties of amino acids, lipids and sugars; primary to quaternary structure of proteins, physico-chemical basis of molecular interactions.

- Technical biochemistry: protein production and purification

- Bioinformatics tools: PyMol, alignments, blast, secondary structure prediction

- Physics: basics of light/object interaction, scattering, absorption, diffraction

-Math: complex numbers, Fourier analysis, vector bases and Euclidean geometry

Recommended prerequisites :

Bootcamp (HAV704V)

Structural Biology (HAV712V)