Ateneo - UPO

The course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge regarding the chemical-physical methods applicable to the study of systems of biotechnological interest, in particular of pharmaceutical interest.

In addition to the material provided by the lecturer, consulting the following is suggested:

Peter William Atkins, Julio de Paula “Elementi di chimica fisica” Zanichelli 2018 ISBN. 978-88-08-22068-4

Marc R. Roussel "A Life Scientist's guide to physical chemistry"
Cambridge University Press
ISBN 978-0-521-18696-4

Knowledge and understanding: knowledge of the fundamental aspects of the chemical-physical properties underlying the methods applicable to the study of systems of biotechnological, biological and pharmaceutical interest.
Applying knowledge and understanding: acquire the ability to be able to evaluate, in the light of the notions learned during the course, which are the most suitable chemical-physical methods for the study of certain systems.
Communication skills: acquire and know how to use an appropriate vocabulary in relation to the topics and techniques covered in the course.
Making judgments: understand and critically analyze recent literature and case studies.

Basic knowledge of general and inorganic chemistry, mathematics and physics

Lectures with the support of slides made available to students by uploading them to the D.I.R. of the course.
Exercise / problem solving lesson.

At the beginning of each lesson, the previous lesson is resumed. Itinere learning will be evaluated in the classroom through discussion with students and online through the administration of feedback questionnaires and in itinere tests on the D.I.R.
For further updated information, please consult the D.I.R. of the course.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The exam consists of an oral test on the topics covered during the course. The student will be evaluated not only on the knowledge of the topics, but also on the ability to argue, to link concepts and knowledge together, using appropriate terminology.

Radiation-matter interaction
Electronic spectroscopies (absorption and photoluminescence, stationary, resolved over time and anisotropy) both on liquids and on solids (outline of nanotechnological and biotechnological formulations and additives)
Vibrational spectroscopies (IR and Raman)
Circular dichroism
Study of the solid / liquid, solid / gas and liquid / liquid interfaces. Definition of dispersed systems and colloidal systems. Classification based on the size of the dispersed particles and surface tension. Optical, electrical and kinetic properties of colloidal systems and their stability. Techniques for studying particle sizes in dispersed systems: Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Nanoparticles Tracking analysis (NTA), optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Scanning Probe Microscopies. Surfactants and liposomes and their chemical-physical properties. Nanomaterials and nanoparticles for biotechnological and biomedical applications. Examples of applications of nanoparticles in medicine: drug delivery and theranostic.

At the end of the course the student will have acquired knowledge of the main chemical-physical methods applicable to the study of systems of biotechnological and pharmaceutical interests and will be able to evaluate their potential and applicability.