2.772/20.110 Class Home

2.772/20.110 Thermodynamics of Biomolecular Systems

Fall 2013

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Instructors: Linda G Griffith, Moungi G Bawendi, Christopher A. Voigt

TAs: Daniel J Darling, Catherine L Greene, Devin Scott Quinlan, Raven J. Reddy, Vibhuti Agrawal, Jonathan Chien, Daniel Franke

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

CORRECTION TO CHEAT SHEET, urgent

hi Folks
There has been some confusion on the notes sheets. We said 3 sheets in class, so we are sticking with that as the max, with allowance that they can be double sided. THREE DOUBLE SIDED SHEETS ARE ALLOWED!
If you prefer to bring 4 single sided sheets, that's ok, but you win if you keep it to 3. You can tape 2 together back to back if you already made one after getting Dan Franke's email :)

Announced on 18 December 2013 2:24 p.m. by Linda G Griffith

Cheat Sheet for the Final Exam

For the final exam you will be allowed a total number of 4 (single paged) cheat sheets.

Announced on 18 December 2013 2:18 p.m. by Daniel Franke

Review Session Sunday, 12/15/13 from 5-7pm in 56-614

Hey all,

Jon and I will be leading a review session this Sunday evening from 5-7pm in 56-614. We will briefly cover the material from the first 2 units, but because you've already had exams and review sessions on that, we'll primarily focus on the material since the last exam.

Also, Jon will be hosting additional office hours on Tuesday from 3-5pm in 56-046.

Good luck studying!

-Raven

Announced on 12 December 2013 1:49 p.m. by Raven J. Reddy

Submission details for Problem Set 10

Hi All

For pset10, the distribution into 4 parts will be as follows

Part 1: Problem 1 and 2
Part 2: Problem 3
Part 3: Problem 4
Part 4: Problem 5 and 6

The pset is due tomorrow (12/6) at 3pm. Please remember to put your names on every sheet.

Good Luck!!
Vibhuti

Announced on 05 December 2013 11:27 a.m. by Vibhuti Agrawal

Pset9 submission details

Hi All

As Linda mailed, the pset9 has been uploaded onto stellar and its breakdown into four parts will be as follows-

Part 1: Problem 1
Part 2: Problem 2 and 3
Part 3: Problem 4
Part 4: Problem 5

Also, please note that this pset is due on Monday (11/25) at 3 pm. Do remember to write your names on each of the sheets.

Good Luck with your Exam!!
Vibhuti

Announced on 20 November 2013 4:26 p.m. by Vibhuti Agrawal

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