C8511 - Microbiotechnology, Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students should understand the fundamental principles of nanotechnology, microbiotechnology, and nanobiotechnology. They should be familiar with the fundamental principles and applications of nanomedicine. Specifically, they should be familiar with some of the distinctive behaviors of matter at the nanoscale, the nanomaterials used for biological applications, the basic biological components at the nanoscale, and the principles that enable their use in nanotechnology applications. They should be familiar with examples of applications in nanobiotechnology/nanomedicine. Skills: Upon completion of the course, students should be able to understand the general concepts of the scientific literature on nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine and to understand and critically analyze the nanobiotechnological components of scientific works and industrial applications. At this point, they should be able to delve deeper into the topic of nanobiotechnology/nanomedicine through the scientific literature and other researchers. Students should be able to understand the nanometric aspects of biosensor applications, such as those presented in the Biosensors course of this master's degree program. Students should be able to exploit the concepts of micro/nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine in the design of projects/experiments and discuss their choices.

Course contents

Introduction to nanotechnology: Class overview and availability of teaching materials. Assessment of students’ knowledge at the beginning of class. Introduction to nanotechnology: nanoscale phenomena, structure in the nanoscale, nanofabrication and self-assembly, characterization techniques in the nanoscale. Application examples in nanomedicine (diagnostics, therapy, theranostics). Notes on ethics in nanotechnology (4 hours).

Self-assembly and nanoparticles: Fundamental aspects. Physical-chemical aspects of molecular self-assembly. Principles and examples of self-assembly of biological molecules. Nanoparticles: general concepts, synthesis, characterization, applications. nanoenzymes and applications. (4 hours).

Nucleic acids and DNA nanotechnologies: Stability of nucleic acids. Techniques for the structural characterization of nucleic acids. Principles of nucleic acids self-assembly. Nucleic acids nanostructures without structural control. Structural DNA nanotechnology. The characterization of DNA nanostructures (4 ore).

Characterization techniques in nanobiotechnology:

Techniques that exploit nanostructures (nanopores and (L)SPR) the characterization of biological systems. The phenomenon of plasmonic resonance: applications on nanostructures. Examples in analytics and diagnostics.Techniques using nanopores (4 hours).

Optical and electronic microscopy in the nanoscale: The fluorescence microscope. The confocal microscope. Advanced microscopy techniques (superresolution, selective illumination). Reconstruction techniques. Principles and applications of electronic microscopy (6 hours).

Probe microscopies: principles and functioning of STM and AFM and related techniques. Nanomanipulation techniques and measurement of forces. Techniques based on AFM. ( hours).

Microtechnologies for Biotechnology: Introduction and Examples of Biotechnological Applications of Microscale Technologies. Microfabrication. Microfluidics. Bioprinting. Applications in drug nanoformulation, advanced cell culture, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and separation techniques.

Educational Lab: Students will prepare and characterize a nanoparticle system suitable for drug delivery and/or biosensing. They will then test its loading efficiency or its functionality as a biosensor.

Readings/Bibliography

Scientific papers will be provided and class discussion will also focus on them.

Dedicated textbooks are not available. Some books might be listed during lectures, to be used as a support but will not be required for the class. Papers and slides will be made available during lectures.

A number of web-based resources or demo software tools will be made available as auxiliary material. Class slides will be provided to students.

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures, occasionally also delivered by guest researchers from other institutions.

When possible, small demonstrations will be performed by the teacher. Web contents and self-assessment tests will be performed during the classes. Ideally, students should have a web-enabled device of their own available during classes (the lecture hall has the University wi-fi).

Depending on the academic calendar, the size of the student cohort, and the available classroom space, we will also strive to organize discussion sessions and flipped classroom activities.

 

The course includes a laboratory activity. Depending on the number of students and the available facilities, the lab will be conducted at individual workstations or in pairs. The lab will involve “wet” and instrumental activities, including data collection and analysis. Students will be required to prepare and submit a brief lab report.

Assessment methods

Written exam (quiz and/or open-ended questions) + evaluation of the lab report + possible bonus points for participation in flipped and collaborative classroom activities.

Grading Guidelines:

18–25 for: general knowledge and understanding of the main topics covered in the lectures.

25–28 for: good general understanding and knowledge of the topics covered in lectures, with the ability to reason about the course content and awareness of the primary sources provided (literature articles).

28–30 for: good to excellent understanding of the topics covered in the lectures, including details, and the ability to make logical connections and discuss the proposed sources (articles or data taken from articles and included in presentations). Demonstration of the ability to critically rework and recontextualize the course content. Active and effective participation in classroom activities. A lab report demonstrating the acquisition of knowledge and skills related to the activity.

With honors for: excellent overall understanding of the topics covered in lectures. Excellent critical thinking skills. Demonstration of excellent ability to understand sources. Possible personal expansion of the content beyond the scope of the lectures. Active and effective participation in classroom activities. A lab report demonstrating the acquisition of knowledge and skills related to the activity.

Teaching tools

class website (on virtuale.unibo.it or other if advantageous) with outlinks and self-assessment tests. Slides presented and discussed in class and selected papers from the scientific literature.

Any other material produced in class and from flipped-classroom activities.

Office hours

See the website of Giampaolo Zuccheri