46332 - Nanobiotechnology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the class, the student has a general knowldege of nanotechnology and its applications in the industry. He is aware of the application of nanostructures and bionanostructures in different fields. He has knowledge of nanobiotechnological characterization techniques for biological macromolecules (including ultramicroscopy and single-molecule techniques) and knows how to choose amongst them. S/he knows how to design, realize and characterize different strategies of self-assembly. S/he knows how to exploit the nanoscale properties of nucleic acids and proteins and how to prepare nanoparticles and derivatize them with biological molecules.

Course contents

Introduction to nanotechnologies. Organization of the class. Test for the assessment of class awareness. Intro to class topics: the nanoscale, structure in the nanoscale, nanofabrication and nanoassembly, characterization in the nanoscale, applications in nanomedicine (4-6 hours).

Self-assembly and nanoparticles and the characterization of nanoparticles (2 hours). Basic concepts. Physics and chemistry of molecular self-assembly. Examples from chemistry, examples from biological macromolecules. Nanoparticles: general principles, differences of particles amongst the different scales, applications. Nanosystems and food. Nanozymes. (4 hours).

Characterization techniques for nanotechnologies. Optical techniques (fluorescence and plasmonic resonance). Examples in bioanalytics and diagnostics. Single-molecule fluorescence (6 hours).

Optical and electron microscopy in the nanoscale. Fluorescence and confocal microscopy. Superresolution techniues. Image reconstruction. Electron microscopy and cryoelectron microscopy (6 hours).

Probe microscopies. Principles of STM and AFM. Forces in chemistry and biology and their use. Magnetic and optical tweezers. Nanopores for studying biological molecules and sequeng (6 hours).

DNA nanotechnology (8 hours)

 Nucleic acids and DNA nanotechnologies. Revival on the chemistry and structures of nucleic acids. Nucleic acids analogues. Characterization techniques for nucleic acids. Aptamers and nanomedicine applications. Self-assembly of nucleic acids. Structural DNA nanotechnology. (8 hours)

Experimental Design, bioprinting and microfluidics (4 hours or less): If lecture timings will allow, we will cover some notions on (statistical) experimental design with examples on (nano)biotech. Additionally and depending on students' interest I will present some concepts in microfludics and lab-on-chip. 

Readings/Bibliography

Scientific scholarly papers will be made available, used and discussed in class. There is not a single textbook for the class, but some will be listed for personal reference, if needed. Slides will be made available.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons and lab.

Lectures delivered by guests from other universities will be available as recorded contributions or in streaming.

Freeware software will be made available to help students in their comprehension and in practicing the lecture themes.

Class discussions will be made on project development and writing and on related useful tools. 

 

Assessment methods

The final exam will consist of a multiple-choice quiz to access the exam followed by an oral interview to discuss the project presented.

The examination methods may vary depending on the number of students enrolled in the course.

Course evaluation:

18-25 for: general understanding and knowledge of the topics covered in the lectures. Project rated as sufficient with good discussion skills or as good with sufficient discussion skills

25-28 for: good understanding and general knowledge of the topics covered in the lectures. Project evaluated as good or excellent with good discussion skills.

28-30 for: good-excellent understanding and detailed knowledge of the topics covered in the lectures. Project evaluated as excellent with excellent discussion skills. Good critical and material discussion skills.

Honors for: excellent understanding and detailed knowledge of the topics covered in the lectures. Project evaluated as excellent with excellent discussion skills. Excellent critical skills that demonstrate excellent maturity in relation to the course of study.

 

Teaching tools

Class lectures. Guest lectures (recorded or live). Class website. Lecture slides and selected scientific papers. Web links and online materials for independent study and self-assessment tests.  

Office hours

See the website of Giampaolo Zuccheri