Nanobiotechnology

Summary

This course concerns modern bioanalytical techniques to investigate biomolecules both in vitro and in vivo, including recent methods to image, track and manipulate single molecules. We cover the basic principles of the respective methods and discuss examples from the current scientific literature.

Content

Keywords

Nanobiotechnology, biophysics, sensors, single-molecule, fluroescence, FRET, drug delivery, DNA origami, lab-on-a-chip, super-resolution microscopy, force spectroscopy

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

Biochemistry I and II

Molecular and Cellular Biophysics I and II

Important concepts to start the course

Biomolecular absorption and fluorescence

General biochemistry

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Explain the fundamental principles of nano-biotechnological and biophysical methods
• Distinguish the advantages and disadvantages of the respective biophysical and nano-biotechnological methods
• Discuss the limits of nanobiotechnological methods
• Choose appropriate methodologies to tackle a specific biological problem
• Analyze the current scientific literature on nanobiotechnological applications
• Design approaches to robustly sense and measure specific biomolecules using integrated devices
• Propose strategies to image and track molecules in cells and study their interactions
• Apply concepts of nanoparticles and self-assembly to design drug delivery methodologies

Transversal skills

• Make an oral presentation.
• Write a literature review which assesses the state of the art.
• Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
• Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
• Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking

Assessment methods

1) Graded exercises (10%), group presentation (15%), and scientific writing assignment (20%)

2) Written final exam (55%)

Resources

Bibliography

Nanobiotechnology, Niemeyer & Merkin (Wiley 2004)

Introduction to bioMEMS, Folch (CRC press, 2012)

Ressources en bibliothèque

• Nanobiotechnology / Niemeyer & Merkin
• Introduction to bioMEMS / Folch

Notes/Handbook

Handouts and literature references distributed in class

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/CH-413