20.110 Thermodynamics of Biomolecular Systems
Fall 2012
Instructors: Eric J Alm, Mark Bathe, Bogdan I Fedeles, Troy Van Voorhis, Christopher A. Voigt, John M Deutch, Linda G Griffith
TAs: Shelley E Ackerman, Brian Bonk, Abby Shuman Hill, Liyi Xu
Lecture: MWF10 (32-123)
Information:
The power of thermodynamics is in its ability to predict chemical and biological events. Will a metabolic reaction occur? Will a drug bind to its protein target and at what concentration will it be active? Will an antibody bind to an antigen? Into what structure will viral coat proteins self-assemble? Will a protein fold? This course is an introduction to the foundations of thermodynamics and its application to biomolecular systems. The first third focuses on the terms that go into the calculation of free energy (ΔG=ΔH-TΔS), which predicts whether or not a process will occur. This represents the culmination of the zeroth (T), first (ΔH), and second/third (ΔS) laws of thermodynamics. The second third moves to the details of molecular interactions through an introduction to statistical mechanics. Finally, the last third is focused on the application of these tools to biomolecular problems. Topics include the thermodynamics of microbial ecosystems, cellular signaling and synthetic biology, polymer solutions and protein folding, and electrolytic solutions.
Announcements
Course Evaluations & Office Hours
Hi Everyone,Please don't forget to submit course evaluations - they are due by 9 AM Monday (today).
The TAs will be holding office hours Monday and Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 in 56-614.
Good luck on the first day of finals!
Shelley
Announced on 17 December 2012 2:36 a.m. by Shelley E Ackerman
Emailing Questions regarding the Final Exam
Hi Everyone,As we announced at the review session, the TA's will be accepting emails regarding the final exam up until 8 pm Tuesday evening. After that time, we cannot guarantee a response given the volume of emails we are receiving. Please don't forget to email out to the entire TA list with general questions (20.110-tas@mit.edu).
Shelley
Announced on 16 December 2012 4:23 p.m. by Shelley E Ackerman
Review Problems - Final Exam Prep
Hi Everyone,Per the request of many students, we posted some extra practice problems taken from previous years. Please note that there were different professors each semester, so problems will vary. Solutions will be posted for everything tomorrow.
Good luck studying!
Shelley
Announced on 16 December 2012 3:42 p.m. by Shelley E Ackerman
Final Exam Related Announcements
Hi Everyone,Hope you are all having a nice and productive weekend! Here are a few reminders regarding the final:
1. The final review session will be tomorrow, Sunday, from 1-4
pm in 32-123.
2. Extra office hours will be held Monday and Tuesday from
4:30-6:30, location TBD.
3. We are working to get some more practice problems posted - they
will go on stellar once we have something put together.
4. You may have 4 cheat sheets at the final exam. Please note that
if you copy and paste other pieces of paper onto your sheet a TA
may ask to look at it during the exam.
We have also received many emails about posting lecture notes and other materials - we are doing the best we can do get everything up and will post things as we have them.
Good luck studying!
Shelley
Announced on 15 December 2012 9:49 p.m. by Shelley E Ackerman
Final Review Topic Survey
Please feel free to submit topics anonymously using the followingsurvey link:
Announced on 09 December 2012 11:32 a.m. by Brian Bonk
