MPBP 323: Biophysical Techniques
Course Directors: Teresa Ruiz, Michael Radermacher
Course Overview (4 Credits)
The course will provide students with the basic tools to understand the intricacies of the biophysical techniques that they will use in their research. Among the topics that will be covered are: introductory statistics, ray and wave optics, light
microscopy (phase contrast, DIC, confocal), florescence resonance energy transfer, mortality, optical tweezers and electron microscopy (single particles, tomography, 2D crystals, helices). The capabilities of each of the techniques will be illustrated
with examples from modern literature and through hands-on demos. This course will allow students to design their experiments using the appropriate technique to answer a specific scientific question.