Roland Riek: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2023 |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Roland Riek |
| Field | Physical Chemistry |
| Address | Inst. Mol. Phys. Wiss. ETH Zürich, HCI F 225 Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10 8093 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 632 61 39 |
| roland.riek@phys.chem.ethz.ch | |
| Department | Chemistry and Applied Biosciences |
| Relationship | Full Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 529-0019-00L | Characterization of the Aggregation Landscape of Peptide Amyloids and their Chemical Templating The enrolment is done by the D-BIOL study administration. Number of participants limited to 6. | 6 credits | 7P | R. Riek, J. Greenwald | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Short peptide amyloids are models for their more complex protein counterparts in the study of disease-related and functional aggregation as well as being interesting in their own right as molecules that may have played a role in the origin of life. This block course will allow the students to study novel peptides in order to characterize their aggregation landscape and also to assess the ability o | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | During the block course, each student will learn how to handle aggregation-prone peptides, characterize their aggregation state and structure as well as assay their ability to template their own chemical synthesis. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The course is divided between lectures practical work in the lab. The lectures will introduce the general topic of amyloids and in particular their potential role in the origin of molecular complexity, as well as cover the theory and the practice behind the tools that are used to characterize peptide amyloids. The practical work in the lab will allow the students to gain hands-on experience working on a novel peptide that has yet to be characterized. Since the course consists of genuine research we also hope that new discoveries will be made that will provide insights into the role that amyloids may have played in the origin of life. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | A script will be distributed to the participants on the first day of the course. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Greenwald, J., Kwiatkowski, W., Riek, R. 2018. Peptide Amyloids in the Origin of Life. J. Mol. Biol. 20:3735-3750 Further literature will be indicated in the distributed script. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 529-0433-01L | Advanced Physical Chemistry: Statistical Thermodynamics | 6 credits | 3G | R. Riek, J. Richardson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Introduction to statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. Prediction of thermodynamic and kinetic properties from molecular data. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Introduction to statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. Prediction of thermodynamic and kinetic properties from molecular data. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Basics of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics of classical and quantum systems. Concept of ensembles, microcanonical and canonical ensembles, ergodic theorem. Molecular and canonical partition functions and their connection with classical thermodynamics. Quantum statistics. Translational, rotational, vibrational, electronic and nuclear spin partition functions of gases. Determination of the equilibrium constants and (transition-state theory) rates of gas phase reactions. Description of ideal gases and ideal crystals. Lattice models, mixing entropy of polymers, and entropic elasticity. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | See homepage of the lecture. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | See homepage of the lecture. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Chemical Thermodynamics, Reaction Kinetics, Molecular Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy; Mathematical Foundations (Analysis, Combinatorial Relations, Integral and Differential Calculus) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Competencies |
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| 529-0499-00L | Physical Chemistry | 0 credits | 1K | M. Reiher, A. Barnes, G. Jeschke, F. Merkt, J. Richardson, R. Riek, S. Riniker, T. Schmidt, R. Signorell, H. J. Wörner | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Institute-Seminar covering current research Topics in Physical Chemistry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 551-0357-00L | Cellular Matters: Properties, Functions and Applications of Biomolecular Condensates The number of participants is limited to 30 and will only take place with a minimum of 6 participants. The first lecture will serve to form groups of students and assign papers. | 4 credits | 2S | T. Michaels, F. Allain, P. Arosio, Y. Barral, D. Hilvert, M. Jagannathan, R. Mezzenga, G. Neurohr, R. Riek, A. E. Smith, K. Weis, H. Wennemers, further lecturers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This Master level course delves into the emerging field of biomolecular condensates - membrane-less organelles in cells. Using interdisciplinary concepts from biology, chemistry, biophysics, and soft matter, we will explore the biological properties of these condensates, their functions in health and disease, and their potentiol as new biomimetic materials for various applications. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | In the last decade, a novel type of cell compartments called biomolecular condensates have been discovered. This discovery is radically changing our understanding of the cell, its organization, and dynamics. The emerging picture is that the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm are highly complex fluids that can (meta)stably segregate into membrane-less compartments, similary to emulsions. This interdisciplinary course encompasses milestone works and cutting-edge research questions in the young field of biomolecular condensates, including their properties, functions, and applications. The course begins with a lecture series that introduces the topic of condensates to an interdisciplinary audience and provides a theoretical foundation for understanding current research questions in the field. the lecturesprovide a base for student presentations of recent publications in the field, and for research seminars given by course lecturers, who are all active researchers with diverse expertise. Through this exciting interdisciplinary understanding of biomolecular condensates, bridging biology, chemistry, biophysics, and soft matter. Students will not only learn how to critically read and evaluate scientific literature but will also gain valuable experience in giving scientific presentations to an interdisciplinary audience. Each presentation will require an introduction, critical analysis of the results, and a discussion of their significance, allowing student to substantiate their statements with a critical mindset that considers the pros and cons of chosen approaches and methods, as well as any limitations or possible follow-up experiments. This process will enable student to ask relevant querions and actively participate in class discussions, further enhancing their scientific skills. In preparing the presentations, the students will have the unique opportunity to interact closely with each other and with the lecturers, who are all internationally well-established experts, and receive guidance in selectin a topic for the final presentaton and supporting literature. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The topic of biomolecular condensates goes beyond the boundaries of traditional disciplines and requires a multi-disciplinary approach that leverages and cross-fertilizes biology, physical chemistry, biophysics, and soft matter. This course will explore the properties, functions and potentioal applicatons of biomolecular condensates, including their role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as their use as smart biomimetic materials. This course is divided into two parts. The fist part will introduce the basic concepts essentialto the study of biomolecular condensates and phase separation. Topics include: fundamental units and scales in soft matter, phase transitions in biology, biopolymers and molecular self-assembly, introduction to active matter. This will establish a foundation for the second part, which will explore milestone works and current research in the field of biomolecular condensates. Each lecture of this second part will consist of: 1) a short literature seminar, where student groups will present and discuss a milestone paper assigned in advance and 2) a research seminar, where one of the course lecturers will present their own state-of-the art research in the field, building upon the milestone literature. At the beginning of the course, student groups will be formed and assigned the milestone papers. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Lecture slides and some scripts will be provided. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | No compulsory textbooks. Literature will be provided during the course | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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