Selected Topics in Biophysics: From Biomolecular Interactions To Complex Biological Interfaces

The seminar will present three selected topics in biophysics. The seminar will open with a lecture of Prof. Petr Sulc from the Arizona State University, who will provide a brief overview of the field of DNA and RNA nanotechnology focusing on computational models. The other two lectures will focus on the biophysical research mission of FZU, with the aim to introduce new biophysics research programs that have been established at FZU.

Lecture 1: Computer modeling for DNA and RNA nanotechnology
Petr Šulc, Arizona State University, USA

Prof. Petr Sulc will discuss how DNA and RNA are used as basic building blocks for constructions of nanostructures and active nanodevices. Promising applications include nanomanufacturing, nanoelectronics, novel diagnostic tools and drug delivery. New models of DNA and RNA will be presented that have been developed to efficiently simulate large nucleic acid systems while providing accurate representation of mechanical, structural and thermodynamic properties of DNA and RNA. Examples of applications of computer simulations of these models to nanotechnological will be given as well as examples of biological systems.
Petr Šulc is an Assistant Professor at The Biodesign Insitute, Arizona State University. He obtained his PhD. in Theoretical Physics at Oxford University. He worked as a researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory and at The Rockefeller University in New York.

Lecture 2: Molecular Interactions at Biointerfaces: Key to Understand Non-specific Fouling from Real-World Samples
Ivana Víšová, Institute of Physics CAS

Reduction of non-specific interactions between artificial surfaces and complex biological media (“fouling”) represents a critical issue in the development of bioanalytical and biochip technologies for modern medical diagnostics or food safety and security. Fouling phenomena and methods using ultra-low fouling and functionalizable platforms based on zwitterionic polycarboxybetain (pCB) moieties will be introduced. The lecture will go into IR, XPS and SPR results on molecular mechanisms of pCB functionalization, as well as pCB surface stabilization effects on dsDNA complexes or protein conformations.

Lecture 3: Impact of Different Physical Cues on Cellular Functions
Barbora Smolková, Institute of Physics CAS

Modern biological literature is replete with studies showing effects of different physical cues (e.g. laser irradiation, electromagnetic as well as static magnetic fields, non-thermal plasma, etc.) on cellular functions. Numerous studies ascribe a sometimes bewildering variety of biological effects to those cues. The lecture will focus on understanding how those cues influence the processes that drive cell behaviour and functionality, representing both fundamental and practical interest that facilitate development of novel therapeutic strategies suitable for the remote control of biological systems.