COMPUTER MODELING OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES – LECTURE (100.705)
Lectures will offer an introduction to the mathematical aspects of computer representation and manipulation of macromolecules, as well as discussions of important topics in computational chemistry of macromolecules including forces and potential fields, molecular mechanics, electrostatics, Monte Carlo methods, homology modeling, docking, and other modeling topics.
TOPICS IN MACROMOLECULAR STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
Seminar course covering a variety of topics involving the structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids.
FUNDAMENTALS OF PROTEIN CRYSTALLOGRAPHY (100.706)
Fourth quarter, two 75 minute lectures per week, alternates with “Advanced Topics in Protein Crystallography”
An introductory course designed to present the core knowledge and theoretical underpinnings of protein crystallography necessary to function in the laboratory. Assigned readings and problem sets will be given.
ADVANCED TOPICS IN PROTEIN CRYSTALLOGRAPHY (100.707)
Fourth quarter; alternates with “Fundamentals of Protein Crystallography” (interdivisional course)
In a journal club format this course examines standard advanced topics in crystallography as well as aspects of the current literature. Topics may include: refinement, approaches to the phase problem, fourier transform methods, etc.
MACROMOLECULAR STRUCTURE AND ANALYSIS (100.709)
The structure and properties of biological macromolecules will be presented. Experimental and computational methods used to study macromolecular structure including X-ray crystallography, magnetic resonance, spectroscopy, microscopy, and mass spectrometry will be covered.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL PRINCIPLES (100.710)
The physical and chemical principles underlying biological processes are presented and discussed. Topics include thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, chemical and enzymatic kinetics, electrochemistry, physical chemistry of solutions, and structure and properties of water. Elementary concepts of statistical thermodynamics will be introduced as a way of correlating macroscopic and microscopic properties.
COMPUTER MODELING OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES – LABORATORY (100.712)
The laboratory course will familiarize students with practical aspects of molecular modeling. It teaches tools to create and manipulate computer generated models of biological-interest molecules. Techniques such as comparative modeling will be introduced.
RESEARCH TOPICS IN BIOPHYSICS (100.699)
Research projects may be arranged with any departmental faculty member. The department has particular interests in the molecular structures of proteins and nucleic acids, and their functional interrelationships. Projects can be laboratory or library‑based, and of varying lengths. This course is also available as an elective to medical students, to post‑doctoral students, and to other qualified persons.