The course aims at introducing the students to the chemistry of macromolecules, and to deal with advanced aspects, regarding both synthesis and applications, of natural and artificial macromolecules, particularly as nanostructured materials for biotechnologies.
Course Prerequisites
None at the MSc level
Teaching Methods
Lectures
Assessment Methods
Oral exam
Texts
Slides and other lecture material will be provided by the professor.
Contents
The course will initially focus on the classification and presentation of the different classes of macromolecules, and on the differences between the main polymerization methods (polycondensation and polyaddition). The main methods of analysis and characterization of polymers will be discussed. The main techniques for controlled polymerization will be also presented, with focus on controlled free radical polymerization. Modern bioconjugation strategies for the formation of polymer/protein hybrids for biotechnological applications will be presented. The chemical derivatization of microbial polymers for biomedical applications will be discussed.
