Knowledge and Understanding. At the end of the course the student must have acquired the basic knowledge of molecular biophysics. The student must be able to analyze, understand and discuss aspects of the behavior of polymers, their characterization and technological properties and their application in nanotechnology. The student must be able to fluently develop approaches suitable to explain the properties of biopolymers and their use in research and technology.

Applying knowledge and understanding. At the end of the course the student will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to the description of the properties of polymers, especially biopolymers, and their correct use and characterization. The student will also be able to propose appropriate experimental and theoretical approaches to explain the observed behavior of biomolecules. The student must be able to understand the developments of biomolecules in biotechnological applications.

Making judgement. The student must be able to master the chemical-physical description of macromolecules with particular reference to biopolymers and to justify their properties and behavior in solution on an appropriate chemical-physical basis. The student must be able to select the methods for characterizing and choosing the most suitable polymers for technological and nanotechnological applications

Communication skills. The student must be able to engage in a discussion on biomacromolecules by fluently explaining the concepts learned. The student must be able to contribute his/her knowledge to the discussion and solution of practical problems in the field of the use of biopolymers in biotechnology.

Learning skills. The student must be able to transfer the learned concepts to the field of application and research related to biopolymers.

Knowledge of the basic elements of chemistry, physics, biochemistry and thermodynamics.

The course aims to provide the student with the basic knowledge in the field of molecular biophysics and of the use of biopolymers. The course deals with the description of mass, shape and dimensions of biopolymers, their ordered and disordered conformations, configuration statistics, description of Gaussian and Kratky-Porod chains, thermodynamics of polymer solutions, order-disorder transitions, cooperativity, rheology. The course describes polyelectrolytes, their chemical-physical properties and discusses their practical and biological applications. It also describes the semi-dilute and gel regimes and their applications in industrial, biomedical, biotechnological, cosmetic and cellular fields. The characterization techniques of biopolymers are described.
One fundamental task of the course is the understanding of the applications of biopolymers in medical and biomedical field.
Laboratory activities are foreseen.

1. Biopolymer Chemistry, Smidsrod and Moe.
2. Biophysical Chemistry (3 voll) (C.R. cantor & P.R. Schimmel, W.H. Freeman & Co., NY) (parts indicated during the lectures).
3. Fondamenti di Scienza dei Polimeri - AIM - di M. Guaita et al. Pacini Editore, Pisa, 1998. Chapter 1 (pg 1-9), Chapter 2 (pg 23-31 e 36-46); Chapter 7; Chapter 8.

Lectures notes will also be distributed.

Mass, shape and dimension of biopolymers. Molecular weight (MW) and distribution of the molecular weight (MWD). Ordered and disordered biopolymer conformations. Configurational statistics: unperturbed and perturbed dimension of biopolymer chains. Effect of restrictions on chain dimensions. Gaussian chains. Worm-like chains (Kratkty-Porod). Description and applications of biopolymers. Biopolymer behavior in solution (Size Exclusion Chromatography, viscosity, static and elastic light scattering). Thermodynamics of solutions and polymer solutions. Association of biopolymers. Polyelectrolytes. Simple electrolytes. Effect of the ionic strength. Theory of polyelectrolytes. Properties and applications of polyelectrolytes. Donnan effect. Viscosity of a polyelectrolyte solution. Polyelectrolyte effects and biological applications. Biopolymer systems in semi-dilute and concentrated regimes. Hydrogels. Rubber elasticity theory. Biopolymer hydrogels and examples of applications in cell and biomaterials field. Correlation between elastic properties and characteristics of the biopolymer chains. Rheology and viscoelastic behavior of materials. Biopolymers and cell mechanics. Effect of physical properties of the material on cell responses. Examples of materials and biomaterials based on biopolymers and their application in the medical and biotechnological fields. Conformational transitions in biopolymers. Cooperativity and conformational transitions induced by temperature. Interactions of biopolymers with ligands. Scatchard plot and deviations. Circular dichroism (CD). Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Laboratory Experiences. Three different measurements of properties of polysaccharides will be made. The students have to perform the measurements and prepare a written report. The methods of statistical analysis of the data obtained and the use of the Excel Solver system will also be discussed.

Classroom lectures supported by some presentations in electronic format containing the topics covered that will be provided to the students. During class, students are encouraged to critically discuss literature data and technical and practical approaches commonly used by biotechnology companies.

Additional material will be uploaded on platforms provided by the University of Trieste and can be requested by e-mail.

The learning assessment concerns the knowledge of the topic, the ability to face a discussion on the topic of molecular biophysics, biopolymers and their use in research and in the biotechnological field. The oral examination in the form of a discussion with the examiner focuses on topics and concepts that have been explained and expounded during the frontal teaching. The student will be asked at least three questions on the topics covered. During the oral examination, the student must show that he/she is able to clearly explain the knowledge acquired and demonstrate his/her full understanding. The student must be able to connect the different topics covered in class. The student must be able to discuss with terminological appropriateness the application of the concepts learned in the field of physical chemistry of biopolymers to their technological use in various fields, from cosmetics to medicine to food.
The student is encouraged to critically discuss some aspects of the study topic and its applications.
Laboratory reports prepared by the students will also be discussed during the assessment.

Graduation rating:
-Excellent (30 -30 cum laude): excellent knowledge of the subjects, excellent language skills, excellent analytical skills; the student is able to apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases brilliantly.
-Very good (27 -29): good knowledge of the subjects, remarkable language skills, good analytical skills; the student is able to correctly apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases.
-Good (24-26): good knowledge of the main topics, good language skills; the student shows adequate ability to apply the theoretical knowledge to concrete cases.
- Satisfactory (21-23): The student shows that he/she has not fully mastered the main topics of the course, even if he/she has the basic knowledge; however, he/she shows satisfactory language skills and a sufficient ability to apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases.
- Sufficient (18-20): minimal knowledge of the main topics of instruction and of technical language, limited ability to apply theoretical knowledge adequately to concrete cases.
-Inadequate (< 18): unacceptable knowledge of the contents of the different topics of the programme.

This course explores topics closely related to one or more goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs)