A comprehensive and integrated characterization of molecular interactions is key to the understanding of life processes at a molecular level. Due to their complexity the study of binding events requires orthogonal approaches, i.e. the gathering of data from multiple methods in order to build a complete picture of their function.
Hence this practical course aims at a multidisplinary approach to the study of molecular interactions from and in biological systems, integrating biochemical/biophysical methodologies with live microscopy techniques.
In this 3rd Edition the course will cover a range of methods used in the kinetics and thermodynamics characterization of binding events, such as:
- Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC)
- Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)
- Microscale Thermophoresis (MST)
- Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW)
- Electro-Switchable Biosurfaces (switchSENSE)
- Biolayer Interferometry
The bridge to in vivo will be crossed with the introduction of advanced light microscopy techniques, e.g.:
- Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)
- Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM)
to study the dynamic interactions of proteins within the living cell.
- Teacher: Paula Sampaio
- Teacher: Frederico Silva