D5: Biophysics of Molecules and Cells – 32793

(2 hrs/week; 2 CP; Fall 2026)

Timm Maier, Sebastian Hiller, Ben Engel

Biophysics tackles biological questions by the quantitative analysis of biomolecules and their interactions. The quantitative connection of structure, dynamics and energetics establishes the fundamental link between molecular mechanisms and cellular functionality. With a broad range of topics from single molecule studies to systems biology analyses, this course (spread over two parts) offers life-scientists insight into how contemporary biophysical methodologies address questions and resolve problems at the cutting edge of biology. Individual lectures will cover advanced optical spectroscopy and super-resolution techniques, analytical ultracentrifugation, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance, X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, surface plasmon resonance, atomic force microscopy and spectroscopy, optical/magnetic tweezers, micro/nanofluidic approaches and other methods.

The two parts of the lecture series D2 and D5 will consist of different selections from these topics, such that they can be attended independently.

Program HS 2026

Previous lecturers:

FS 2024:
Gunnar Jeschke, Zürich
Alemayehu Gorfe, Houston
Sofia Moco, Amsterdam
Justin Benesch, Oxford
Margarida Barroso, New York
Mattia Zampieri, DBM Basel

HS 2021:
Gunnar Jeschke, Zürich
Ben Schuler, Zürich
Arne Rufer, Roche, Basel
Josef Wachtveitl, Frankfurt
Dieter Braun, München
Justin Benesch, Oxford
Peter Hamm, Zürich
Klaus Gerwert, Bochum

FS 2019:
Claus Seidel, Düsseldorf
Gunnar Jeschke, Zürich
Dmitry Veprintsev, Nottingham
Arne Rufer, Basel
Ben Schuler, Zürich
Timan Kottke, Bielefeld