Molecular Scale Biophysics is a multidisciplinary program focused on understanding macromolecules structure and function using a broad range of experimental approaches, including spectroscopic methods (FTIR, EPR, fluorescence, rapid kinetics), hydrodynamic methods (analytical ultracentrifugation, DLS), thermodynamic methods (ITC, DSC, DSF) and atomic force microscopy.

The program is divided in a virtual mobility part and a physical mobility part.

During the program virtual mobility part, lectures and tutorials are developed and presented by the different international partners to illustrate different biophysical techniques available at the research centres. The presentations and approaches will center on technique-specific instrumentation and study system-independent aspects of the techniques through real-life illustrations.

During the program physical mobility part, students will work at the IM2B research institute (Marseille) where they will have direct access to state-of-the art instrumentations. Practical aspects of selected techniques will be studied with students having the opportunity to use various techniques and analyze data they have acquired in a research context. This part will be taught both by local teachers and teachers from partner universities.

This program has been developed at the interface between the different biochemistry programs of the CIVIS partner universities. Researchers and teaching-researchers from various CIVIS universities (Aix-Marseille, Stockholm, Sapienza Rome, Université Lire de Bruxelles) participate in this program.

The physical mobility section of the BIP will take place between 1-5 June 2026, at the IM2B Institute in Marseille (France), and will include the following activities:

• lectures and a refresher course on techniques that will be employed by the students during the week and on the biological study system they will be investigating. This will reinforce their theoretical knowledge of biophysical techniques and their application to biological research;
• practical workshops in small groups using state-of-the-art equipment to obtain and analyze data. This will give students a better appreciation of sample requirements, technical needs and practical aspects of the different methods. Students will benefit from privileged access to experts in these various techniques;
• guided data analysis sessions to help students organize and present data;
• a poster session to broaden students understanding of current research themes, to practice scientific communication, and to build a professional network;
• an outing in beautiful Marseille is planned to further promote networking.

The virtual component (16 February-24 April 2026) will offer multiple resources to optimize student engagement and understanding of the various biophysical techniques to study macromolecule structure and function.

The component is split in modules corresponding to the different biophysical techniques, including spectroscopic methods (FTIR, EPR, fluorescence, rapid kinetics), hydrodynamic methods (analytical ultracentrifugation, DLS), thermodynamic methods (ITC, DSC, DSF) and atomic force microscopy.

Classes will take place twice a week (on Mondays and Thursdays, between 6-7:30 PM CET).

This component will contain recorded videos (self-paced learning), online lectures, and problem-solving tasks.They will provide theoretical knowledge of the various biophysical techniques.

The problem-solving activities will challenge students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios, helping them to think critically and understand the strengths and weaknesses of each technique in the context of understanding molecular function of biological systems.

To maximize student engagement and learning throughout the virtual component, online quizzes will be implemented on Moodle, Wooclap and Kahoot will be used during online lectures. In addition, homework assignments will be given after each module. The detailed schedule will be available at a later date.