Principle of spectroscopy and applications to quantitative biology

The course consists of classroom lectures, in which the topics are illustrated both with slides and by carrying out exercises, and experimental laboratory activities, in which the students, divided in small groups, carry out different experiments concerning spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and circular dichroism.

Theory modules
The primary objective of the course is to introduce the basic concepts, principles, and techniques of modern analytical chemistry. This will provide the student with the basic knowledge of the theoretical foundations and applications of the main instrumental analytical techniques. Both common protocols and advanced methods for qualitative and quantitative analysis of different classes of biological molecules will be addressed, with an emphasis towards their applications and their importance in the field of biology and life sciences.

Laboratory modules
Within the scope of the laboratory module, experimental procedures/ protocols and calibration methods as well as basic calculations (also using a spreadsheet) related to instrumental analytical chemistry will be described. The laboratory experiments will focus on instrumental atomic and molecular methods for the qualitative and quantitative determination of unknown samples. Furthermore, NMR, MS and Circular Dichroism experiments will be conducted and discussed.

Theory modules
At the end of the course the student will have learnt about the main spectroscopic analytical methods as well as several advanced and hyphenated techniques. Furthermore, they will be able to solve some qualitative and quantitative analytical problems by choosing the most suitable instrumental technique. The student will also be able to identify the structure of simple organic compounds through the study of their FTIR, Raman, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, and mass spectra.

Laboratory modules
The main outcomes will be (a) the ability of choosing and utilising the most suitable instrumental analytical atomic and molecular spectroscopic technique for the determination of unknown samples; (b) the use of the most common calibration methods for quantitative determinations starting from the preparation of standard samples up to the processing of related data (also with spreadsheets). Moreover, the student will be able to analyse and discuss the results of NMR, MS and Circular Dichroism experiments, with a particular attention towards analysis of molecules of biological interest.

Finally, the ability to work with a group of colleagues will be acquired.