Cell Biophysics

Course unit

title

Scientific direction

Scientific code

Faculty

Department (s)

Cell

Biophysics

Biophysics

N 011

Life Sciences Center

Institute of Biosciences

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Lectures

0

Consultations

2

Self-studies

8

Seminars

0

Aims of course

·       To provide the knowledge and understanding about the mechanisms of cell organization, regulation and signal transmission in space and time; about the principles of cell life in steady state and during movement; forces acting in cells, energy transformations, electrical and mechanical properties of cells.

·       To understand the basic principles, the strengths and limitations of cell biophysics research methods.

·       To learn how to provide analysis and critical evaluation of scientific literature, to participate in scientific discussion during presentation on a topic related to doctoral studies.

Main topics

Basic cell functions and fundamental physical principles also laws underlying cellular organisation. Physical properties of biological membranes, ion transport across membranes, electrical properties of cells and bioelectrogenesis, mechanical properties of cells, role of cytoskeleton in force generation and movement organization, dynamics of biological motors, mechanochemical processes (muscle contraction), cell photobiology and bioenergetics, information and signalling in the cell.

Basic principles, the strengths and limitations of cell biophysics research methods: optics and spectroscopy, microscopy, calorimetry, electroporation, electrophysiological and other research methods.

The PhD student is recommended to choose a topic related to his / her doctoral studies

Main literature

·       F. Dillon. Biophysics. A Physiological Approach. 2012, Cambridge University Press

·       Rob Phillips, Jane Kondev, Julie Theriot.  Physical Biology of the Cell. 2012, Garland Science

·       Thomas Fischer Weiss. CELLULAR BIOPHYSICS Vol. 1: Transport Vol- 2: Electrical Properties. 1996, Bradford Book.

·       Joachim Frank (Ed). Molecular Machines in Biology: Workshop of the Cell. 2011, Cambridge University Press

·       David S. Goodsell. The Machinery of Life. 2011, Springer.

Students will be required to review and present the latest scientific literature on a chosen topic from Cell biophysics.

Assessment strategy

Assessment criteria

Seminar presentation

The student will have to prepare and present a public presentation on the topic of Cell Biophysics related to his dissertation. The recommended duration of the seminar is one academic hour. The student is required to review at least 20 recent scientific articles. Adequacy, accuracy and persuasiveness of presentation related to the topic, understanding the scientific problem and its limitations, answers to the questions asked by the commission and the audience will be assessed.

Vilma Kisnierienė

PhD

Associate prof.

Approved by the Council of Graduate School of Life Sceinces Center No 600000-…-… on the …. of …… 2021

Chairman