Chemical Methods for Biotechnology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the basics of i) analytical chemistry ii) physical chemistry iii) mass spectrometry iv) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, to make students autonomous for the study of processes and reactions of biological interest. The course, appropriately accompanied by practical laboratory exercises, is dedicated to the acquisition of skills related to the most common basic and instrumental analytical (electroanalytical, spectroscopic, chromatographic, NMR and mass) techniques.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student should be able to
- interpret analytical titration data (pHmetry, complexation, precipitation, redox);
- understand and apply the principles of conductivity, spectroscopy and chromatography, also in relation to laboratory experiences;
- understand and apply the principles of thermodynamics and both theoretical and practical aspects of chemical kinetics;
- comment and discuss equations and graphs presented in class
- interpret spectra and identify the structure of simple organic compounds starting from corresponding 1H and 13C NMR and MS spectra
- interpret analytical titration data (pHmetry, complexation, precipitation, redox);
- understand and apply the principles of conductivity, spectroscopy and chromatography, also in relation to laboratory experiences;
- understand and apply the principles of thermodynamics and both theoretical and practical aspects of chemical kinetics;
- comment and discuss equations and graphs presented in class
- interpret spectra and identify the structure of simple organic compounds starting from corresponding 1H and 13C NMR and MS spectra
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Elements of Chemical Thermodynamics with exercises: the first principle. Internal energy. Calorimetric techniques and their application in biotechnology. Enthalpy and thermochemistry. Second principle and entropy. The spontaneous character of chemical reactions. Variation of Gibbs energy as an indicator of spontaneity and efficiency, relation to composition of reaction mixture. Energy conversion in biological systems. The chemical potential.
Chemical kinetics with exercises: Kinetic laws, rate constants and reaction orders. Methods for determining the kinetic law. Dependence of reaction rate on temperature. Reaction mechanism. Enzymatic catalysis.
Elements of Analytical Chemistry: Basic analytical principles. Preparation of standard solutions and exercises on solution preparation. Instrumental analytical techniques of interest in biotechnology: potentiometry, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorimetry, polarimetry, chromatographic separation techniques applied to small molecules.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR):
- Notes on spin and the resonance phenomenon
- NMR observables: the chemical shift, coupling constants and the integral
- One-dimensional proton and carbon experiments
- Two-dimensional experiments: COSY and HSQC
- Analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra of small biomolecules
- Overhauser effect: theory, examples and applications
- Applications of the NMR technique for analysing the 3D structure of proteins and for studying ligand-protein interaction
Mass spectrometry:
- Principles of mass spectrometry
- Ionisation sources: Electronic Impact, Chemical Ionisation, ESI, FAB, MALDI
- Analysers: Magnetic analyser, dual focus, quadrupole, ion trap, TOF, FT-ICR
- Main fragmentation reactions of organic compounds, examples and applications
- MS spectra analysis of organic molecules
- Mass spectrometry combined with chromatography (GC and LC)
EXPERIMENTAL LABORATORY: during the experimental laboratory, the student will become familiar with the preparation of solutions, the determination/solution of mixtures through the use of appropriate analytical techniques, and the collection of experimental data (spectrophotometric, polarimetric, potentiometric and calorimetric data), which will then be processed on the basis of appropriate chemical-physical relationships.
Chemical kinetics with exercises: Kinetic laws, rate constants and reaction orders. Methods for determining the kinetic law. Dependence of reaction rate on temperature. Reaction mechanism. Enzymatic catalysis.
Elements of Analytical Chemistry: Basic analytical principles. Preparation of standard solutions and exercises on solution preparation. Instrumental analytical techniques of interest in biotechnology: potentiometry, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorimetry, polarimetry, chromatographic separation techniques applied to small molecules.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR):
- Notes on spin and the resonance phenomenon
- NMR observables: the chemical shift, coupling constants and the integral
- One-dimensional proton and carbon experiments
- Two-dimensional experiments: COSY and HSQC
- Analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra of small biomolecules
- Overhauser effect: theory, examples and applications
- Applications of the NMR technique for analysing the 3D structure of proteins and for studying ligand-protein interaction
Mass spectrometry:
- Principles of mass spectrometry
- Ionisation sources: Electronic Impact, Chemical Ionisation, ESI, FAB, MALDI
- Analysers: Magnetic analyser, dual focus, quadrupole, ion trap, TOF, FT-ICR
- Main fragmentation reactions of organic compounds, examples and applications
- MS spectra analysis of organic molecules
- Mass spectrometry combined with chromatography (GC and LC)
EXPERIMENTAL LABORATORY: during the experimental laboratory, the student will become familiar with the preparation of solutions, the determination/solution of mixtures through the use of appropriate analytical techniques, and the collection of experimental data (spectrophotometric, polarimetric, potentiometric and calorimetric data), which will then be processed on the basis of appropriate chemical-physical relationships.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the basic concepts of general and organic chemistry, molecular structure, mathematics and numerical calculation.
Teaching methods
Lectures, excercises, practical exsercises in laboratory.
Teaching Resources
- S. P.J. Higson, Analytical Chemistry, Oxford University Press
- G. D. Christian, Analytical Chemistry, Wiley-VCH
- P.W. Atkins, Physical Chemistry
- Guida Pratica alla Interpretazione di Spettri NMR, Antonio Randazzo, Loghia, 2018
- Lecturers notes
- G. D. Christian, Analytical Chemistry, Wiley-VCH
- P.W. Atkins, Physical Chemistry
- Guida Pratica alla Interpretazione di Spettri NMR, Antonio Randazzo, Loghia, 2018
- Lecturers notes
Assessment methods and Criteria
The learning assessment will be done through a written exam. The exam is organized in a written test with a maximum score of 30/30 (thirty) cum laude (with honor). The test will be divided into three parts: one part will focus on the elements of analytical chemistry, one on the elements of thermodynamics and kinetics, and one on NMR and MS. Each part will consist of a theoretical question and an exercise and will assign a maximum of 10 (ten) points. The final grade will also take into account the evaluation of the report on the experiments carried out in the laboratory up to a maximum of 3 additional points.
Any additional information on the evaluation methods will be illustrated during the course.
The exam will last two and a half hours.
Any additional information on the evaluation methods will be illustrated during the course.
The exam will last two and a half hours.
CHIM/02 - PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
CHIM/06 - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - University credits: 2
CHIM/06 - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - University credits: 2
Practicals: 24 hours
Single bench laboratory practical: 24 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Single bench laboratory practical: 24 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Shifts:
Professor(s)
Reception:
All working days upon appointment
Chemistry Department, ground floow, wing B, office number R28