Molecular Interactions

Full course description

The non-covalent interactions between molecules, or the interactions between “functional groups” within larger (bio) polymers form the basis of molecular imaging engineering, in particular to correctly measure and understand the mechanism behind agents’ activation. As an example, the widely applied fluorescent labels in histopathology or detection of molecules in functionalized materials is strongly influenced by their interactions with other molecules in their surroundings. Moreover, understanding these interaction is essential for practical applications like the discovery of new drugs, the (biotechnological) production of bio-pharmaceuticals like insulin or the preparation of (bio) polymeric materials, etc

Many molecules act in combination with others, e.g. proteins in the blood compartment transport medicinal drugs or nutritional compounds. Likewise, the “amorphous” or “crystalline” nature of polymer thermoplastics (polyamides) have a direct relation to the molecular weight dispersity of these polymers. The interaction between small molecular drugs with protein drug targets is in most cases “non-covalent” in nature, and the causality between changing three-dimensional morphology” of complex supra molecular complexes like Apo lipoproteins with the progression of diabetes type I has been confirmed. Hence, the rate of formation, the stability and morphology of aggregates directly relates to the molecular structure of the “separate” building blocks, and as such and importance next step in understanding the impact of molecular structures in e.g. food industry (dairy products).

The main objective of this elective course is deepening the knowledge on non-covalent inter- and intramolecular interactions, creating insight into the fundamentals forces involved, the mechanism responsible for the formation of e.g. supramolecular complexes (self-assemblies of proteins) and the technologies able to identify the interaction kinetics and morphologically structure of the complexes.