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529-0053-00L 6 Credits BSC D-BIOL , D-CHAB

Polymer Physics Methods for Unstructured Biomolecules

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Gunnar Jeschke, Dr. Maxim Yulikov, Dr. Laura Galazzo
Enrollment limited to 16 students. Enrollment is done by the D-BIOL study administration.
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:29

Abstract

Establishing a link between known phenomena, concepts and spectroscopic techniques in polymer physics on the one hand and the study of unstructured biological macromolecules on the other. Attention is paid to the relationship between molecular interactions in biopolymers and their tendency to form molecular condensates, such as membraneless organelles.

Objective

Expansion of competences for the experimental and analytical treatment and structural characterization of partially and completely unstructured biomacromolecules as well as their interactions and self-organization.

Content

Part I: Molecular interactions, concepts of polymer physics, spectroscopic methods; Part II: Polymer types in biology - proteins, DNA/RNA, polysaccharides, lipids; Part III: Bioinformatics aspects of partially disordered proteins, molecular modeling and determination of conformational ensembles.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Script for parts I and III of the course; slides for all three parts

Literature

Jacob N. Israelachvili “Intermolecular and Surface Forces” Elsevier Third edition 2011; M. Rubinstein and R.H. Colby “Polymer Physics” Oxford Press 2003; P. Tompa, "Structure and Function of Instrinsically Disordered Proteins" CRC Press, 2010; Große Auswahl an Fachbüchern und Forschungsartikeln

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
Report and presentation (20 minutes) are assessed.Students are obliged to be present throughout the block course.Cancellation: If you have to deregister from a course that has been assigned to you (just emergency reasons), please notify in written the course coordinator at least four weeks before the course starts, for courses in the 1st quarter, a cancellation period of one week applies. The study secretariat D-BIOL must also be informed (email CC [email protected]) so that the enrollment is deleted. Otherwise the course is considered as "failed".

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Polymer Physics Methods for Unstructured Biomolecules
Block course will take place from 03.11.2026 to 25.11.2026 (Tuesday afternoon to Friday throughout, last week only until Wednesday afternoon).
No time listed 96 h semesterly

Offered In