Master Biomolecular Spectroscopy | Online Course by IIT Bombay Professor

Course Details

Master the Tools to Decode Biomolecules: An In-Depth Guide to Biomolecular Spectroscopy

Understanding the intricate structure and dynamic behavior of biomolecules like proteins and DNA is fundamental to modern biology, drug discovery, and biotechnology. Biomolecular Spectroscopy provides the essential toolkit for this exploration. We are excited to present a detailed overview of a comprehensive 8-week postgraduate course designed and taught by a leading expert in the field, Prof. Ashutosh Kumar from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay.

About the Course Instructor: Prof. Ashutosh Kumar

Prof. Ashutosh Kumar is a Professor in the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering at IIT Bombay. His research is at the forefront of structural biology, focusing on elucidating the architecture and mechanism of complex biological systems. His lab employs state-of-the-art solid-state and solution-state NMR spectroscopy, along with other biophysical tools, to study protein complexes like the SCF complex, specialized nucleosomes, and amyloid fibrils implicated in neurodegenerative diseases.

Prof. Kumar has made significant contributions to developing novel NMR methodologies and applying them to challenging biological macromolecules. Recently, he has extended his expertise to the biopharmaceutical sector, pioneering NMR-based methods to analyze the Higher Order Structure (HOS) of Biosimilars and Biologics directly in their formulation states—a critical need for the industry.

Course Overview: Biomolecular Spectroscopy

This intensive course is crafted to provide a deep dive into the established spectroscopic techniques vital for biomolecular analysis. It moves beyond theory, emphasizing practical applications and decision-making. Students will learn how to select, implement, and interpret data from various spectroscopic methods to solve real-world problems in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Who Should Enroll?

• Intended Audience: M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, teachers, and scientists working in academic institutions and R&D sectors of relevant industries.
• Prerequisites: An undergraduate-level understanding of Chemistry and Biology.
• Industry Support: This course addresses core skills valued by leading biopharma companies like Biocon, Wockhardt, and Aurobindo Biopharma.

Detailed 8-Week Course Layout

Week 1-2: Absorption Spectroscopy

Foundations of light absorption, Jablonski diagram, instrumentation, and Beer-Lambert law. Dive into chromophores, solvent effects (red/blue shifts), and practical applications including structural studies of DNA (helix-coil transition, melting curves, hyperchromicity) and proteins.

Week 3-4: Circular Dichroism (CD) Spectroscopy

Principles of polarized light, instrumentation, and the Cotton Effect. Learn the crucial application of CD in determining protein secondary structure, identifying molten globule states, analyzing nucleic acid conformations, and investigating amyloid disorders like Alzheimer's disease.

Week 5-7: Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Explore fluorescence theory, Stokes shift, and instrumentation. Topics include intrinsic/extrinsic fluorescence, Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), quenching (Stern-Volmer equation), and fluorescence anisotropy. The module covers advanced applications like using GFP, quantum dots, and time-resolved fluorescence for studying protein dynamics.

Week 8: Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy

Introduction to IR absorption theory and Fourier-Transform IR (FTIR) instrumentation. Focus on the application of FTIR for analyzing protein amide I/II bands and monitoring conformational changes in DNA/RNA.

Recommended Textbooks & Resources

• Physical Biochemistry: Applications to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology by David Freifelder
• Spectrophotometry and Spectrofluorimetry: A Practical Approach by Michael G. Gore
• Principles of Fluorescence Spectroscopy by J. R. Lakowicz (3rd edition)
• Biophysical Chemistry, Part 2: Techniques for the Study of Biological Structure and Function by Cantor and Schimmel

Why Take This Course?

This course offers a unique blend of theoretical rigor and applied knowledge, guided by an instructor actively advancing the field. Whether you aim to excel in academic research or thrive in the biopharmaceutical industry, mastering these spectroscopic techniques is indispensable. You will gain the confidence to choose the right tool for your biomolecular challenge and interpret the data to uncover meaningful biological insights.

Join this journey into the molecular world and learn to make the invisible, visible.

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