YEAR 2022
INTERNAL TEACHING
Videos and dissemination initiatives promoted by the University of Eastern Piedmont's PhD in Chemistry and Biology at DiSIT Alexandria (https://www.disit.uniupo.it/it) can be viewed on the UPO PhD in Chemistry and Biology YouTube channel.
Combining biophysical methods for the analysis of protein-protein and protein-ligand interaction
Prof. Riccardo Miggiano
0.5 ECTS
Protein crosstalks as well as protein-ligand interactions play essential roles in many biological processes including signaling pathways, transcriptional regulation and numerous other metabolic reactions. In order to understand the role of such protein interactions in biological processes it is important to investigate the interaction dynamics describing the stoichiometry of the complexes, the binding free energy and their binding cooperativity as inter-molecular communication. These biochemical parameters are complementary to structural biology studies. In particular, the enthalpic and entropic components of the binding free energy directly refer to the mechanistic aspects of the binding and have been widely exploited in drug discovery research pipeline. The aim of this course is the description of practical and theoretical aspects of biophysical methods used for measuring the stoichiometry and affinity of many protein interactions. In particular, the course will focus on the application potential of the following techniques in the field of biochemistry structural biology: i) small-angle X-ray scattering; ii) isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC); iii) differential scanning fluorescence (DSF); iv) surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and v) microscale thermophoresis (MST).
Artificial neural networks for pattern recognition, classification and regression problems: theory and applications
Prof. Elisa Robotti
1 ECTS
During the course, a brief introduction to neural networks for pattern recognition and to solve regression problems will be dealt with. We will examine in detail the functioning of Kohonen's neural networks (supervised and unsupervised), counter-propagation neural networks and backward propagation neural networks. Examples and applicatons will be presented.
History of Chemistry: from the first words to the last atoms
Prof. Enrica Gianotti
0.5 ECTS
A journey through history to meet some of the chemists who have combined scientific rigor with the drive of the discipline. We will start from alchemy and through the centuries we will reach our present. An intellectual path will be traced that explains the processes by which today we can define knowledge of the world.
Chemistry Teaching: Didactic Methods
Prof. Elisabetta Gabano
3 ECTS
Course of the LM in Chemical Sciences, open to PhD students and teachers of Chemistry/Sciences, with the aim of identifying teaching strategies based on the active involvement of the student, by exploiting the discussion between teachers and undergraduates/PhD students interested in a career as teachers about the problems associated with the teaching-learning of Chemistry at school and university.
NMR as a tool to target protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions
Prof. Daniela Lalli
0.5 ECTS
La spettroscopia NMR svolge un ruolo cruciale nel caratterizzare le interazioni proteina-ligando e proteina-proteina (PPI). Infatti, è stata ampiamente validata come una tecnica efficiente per lo screening e l'identificazione di interazioni deboli tra proteine e ligandi, e per guidare la loro ottimizzazione in molecole con maggiore affinità e proprietà farmacologiche più favorevoli. Allo stesso tempo, l'NMR rappresenta uno strumento estremamente potente per monitorare la formazione di complessi proteina-proteina e per ottenere informazioni strutturali su questi addotti. Consente l'identificazione delle interfacce di interazione tra proteine e fornisce distanze intermolecolari e vincoli strutturali che portano alla definizione della disposizione relativa dei due partner. Il corso fornisce le basi per comprendere i metodi NMR utilizzati per lo studio delle interazioni proteina-proteina deboli/transitorie, che rappresentano i principali bersagli nei progetti di scoperta di farmaci.
What's in your wine glass?
Molecular mechanism of tasting
Prof. Elia Ranzato e Prof. Simona Martinotti
0.5 ECTS
A journey through the molecules, receptors and nerve centres at the base of taste-olfactory sensitivity… trying to taste together some types of wine.
Unconventional organic synthesis techniques
Prof. Lorenzo Tei
0.5 ECTS
Introduction to ultrasound-assisted organic synthesis (sonochemistry), microwaves and solvent-free synthesis by mechanochemistry with mills and extruders.
Industrial applications of enzyme biocatalysis
Prof. Katia Sparnacci
0.5 ECTS
The course aims to provide a basic knowledge of industrial biotechnology. In particular, the characteristics of enzymes as catalysts in organic synthesis will be described and several examples of industrial processes of biotransformation applied to the production of biologically active molecules will be illustrated.
Lignin valorization towards a sustainable future
Prof. Alice Boarino
0.25 ECTS
Lignin is one of the main components of biomass, discarded a by-product of the paper industry in huge quantities every year. The complex structure of lignin, composed of aromatic rings with hydroxy and methoxy functional groups, provides interesting properties such as antioxidant, UV-barrier and antimicrobial activity. Due to the high availability, biodegradability and biocompatibility of this plant-derived polymer, significant attention has been given to a wide-scale use of lignin-derived products in various applications. In this seminar, the valorisation of this under-exploited material into high added-value applications will be discussed.