Corso di laurea in Fisica

In line with the general objectives of the master, which provides for the second year several courses referred to fundamental biological context such as General Physiology and Biophysics, the course aims at focusing the relevant issues of classical biophysics. The course aims to foster the training of students in the application of the physical sciences and engineering to fundamental biological questions at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels.

In line with knowledges and competences required to define the professional profile characterizing the Physicist, the course expect the following results of learning outcomes:

Knowledge and learning abilities: Knowledge about the foundations of classical biophysics of bioelectric processes and of the modern re-visitation of these concepts with the tools of molecular biology.

Ability to use knowledge and understanding.

Ability to utilize the concepts learned during the course to interpret and understand scientific articles.

Autonomy of judgement

Ability to critically evaluate information, even if contradicting, that can be found in the literature Communication skills: capability in presenting in a synthetic and clear form the main contents of a scientific article

Learning skills in focussing on the most relevant aspects of scientific information

Lectures(hours N.): 32and

practical activities in laboratory (Hours N.): 32

Research assay: 16

The lessons will be held in presence and in streaming, recorded and published on the Moodle platform at the following address

https://unito.webex.com/meet/alessandra.fiorio

In particular, the teaching will be delivered in the form of: 

1. Lectures, interactive simulations, and discussion in presence on the topics of the program;

2. Recordings of the streaming of lectures uploaded on the Moodle platform;
3. Integrative activities:
   • specific readings available on Moodle platform;
   • exercises and self-assessment questions provided on Moodle platform;
   • in-depth videos on specific topics uploaded on the Moodle platform.
4. Practical activities will be held in the laboratories of the Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology. Practical activities will imply also a part data analyses

Examinations will be based on material covered in lectures, on site activities and assigned assays on practical activities.

Practical work:

students will perform specific experiments concerning selected topics presented in the lectures including data analyses. The outcome of the work will be presented in form of final report (Practical Report) that will be part of the final evaluation. Correspondence between vote to the Practical report and additional points for final exams is as follows: 22-23, 2 points; 24-25, 4 points; 26-27, 6 points; 28-30, 8 points.

Research Assay:

This at-home assignment will refer to specific topics of the course. The essay (up to 2000 words + figures, tables and references) will be prepared by groups of usually two students and presented orally by the end of the semester. The Research Essay will give rise to a maximum of 12/30 points.

Final exam:

Esame orale basato sul programma presentato a lezione. Il voto massimo assegnato sarà di 12/30. 

Il voto finale sarà quindi la somma dei 3 voti parziali. Le votazioni 31-32 verranno valutate come 30 e lode.

 Final exam – This exam will be an oral exam based on the topics presented during the course. The maximum grade will be 12/30. Grading 31-32 will give rise to “ 30 cum laude”

Cell membrane permeability: fluxes across the plasma membrane. Transporters classification. Fluxes and lows for neutral species and electrolytes; Fick; Nernst-Plank; Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz 

Electrical properties of cell membranes. Action Potential. Patch clamp  technique

Ion  channels: Structure and function   

Introduction to fluorescence and fluorophores.

Bioimaging techniques using fluorescent probes: FRET, FRAP,  TIRF

Spatio-temporal features of calcium signaling

Functional analyses of ion channels: fluorescent probes to measure Ca2+ signals

pH sensitive ion channels and role in tumor progression

Research Assay

Practical work: Ca2+ imaging experiment; TEER analyses

The following textbook, written in English, is suggested:

Ion Channels of Excitable Membranes, Third Edition-Bertil Hille, Sinauer Press.

No previous attendance is mandatory. Attendance at the course is not mandatory, but strongly reccomended.