 | |
| CHIM0643-1 | Biomolecule thermodynamics
 |
|
| Duration : | 15h Th |
|
| Credits/ECTS : |
|
|
| Holder(s) : | Valérie Gabelica |
|
| Language : | Langue française |
|
| Course contents : | Thermodynamics is the science dealing with energy transformation. Thermodynamics is usually presented as a branch of physics or engineering, but did you know that, in 1780, Antoine Laurent Lavoisier and Pierre Simon de Laplace did use a calorimeter to measure heat produced by a living Guinea pig?
This course will illustrate how the basic laws of thermodynamics allow tackling various questions related to life sciences like:
- What are the basic principles determining the conformation of a protein?
- Do biomolecules work just like thermic machines at the molecular scale?
- Can one determine and model all equilibria at stake in a living cell ?
- Can the origins of life and a evolution be explained in light of the laws of thermodynamics? |
|
| Course objective : | Stimulate reflexion on the application of the laws of thermodynamics in different questions related to biology. |
|
| Prerequisites : | The course will give the opportunity to re-discover the essential concepts of thermodynamics. Nevertheless, mastering key concepts in general chemistry, physics and biochemistry will be extremely useful. |
|
| Workshops : | Literature research only. No laboratory work. |
|
| Organization : | Second semester (timetable to be discussed). |
|
| Written notes : | Copy of the slides.
Reference book: D.T. Haynie, Biological Thermodynamics, Cambridge University Press, 2001. ISBN: 0 521 79549 4. |
|
| Assessment : | Written essay (40 %): the student choses a research subject with the consent of the teacher, performs literature search, and writes an essay. After peer review (see below), the essay is corrected and the final version is given at the end of semester.
Peer review (20 %): each student reviews the work of two of his colleagues. This means reading their work and providing constructive comments for them to improve their manuscripts.
Final exam (40 %) : oral exam on the whole course and on the research subject. |
|
| Contacts : | Dr. Valérie Gabelica
Institut de Chimie, Bat. B6c, local R65a
Tel: 04/366.34.32
E-mail:v.gabelica@ulg.ac.be |
|
