Physical Biochemistry

Structure and conformation of proteins, nucleic acids, and other biopolymers; physical techniques for study of macromolecules; behavior and properties of biopolymers. Among the topics to be discussed are the theories and applications of the following techniques: a) spectroscopic studies (absorption, fluorescence, magnetic resonance, infrared and Raman, circular dichroism, and optical rotary dispersion); b) size, shape, and molecular weight methods (sedimentation, dif¬fusion, viscosity, osmometry, and light scattering); c) kinetics and equilibria; d) diffraction methods (Xray and neutron). Specific examples of the structures and functions of macromolecules will be examined.