Bionanotechnology

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Biomolecules and biomolecular interactions
• The basic physics of the behaviour of molecules and molecular interactions

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Perform some basic wet laboratory procedures
• Graduate
• Perform soft lithography procedures involving biomolecules

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Explain biophysical mechanisms relevant in the context of bionanotechnology
• Evaluate the experimental techniques used to characterise bio-nano systems

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Write concise engineering reports
• Critically evaluate experimental procedures and experimental data

Fundamentals:

• Molecules, proteins, DNA and cells
• DNA for coding and information storage
• Behaviour of molecules in solution
• Kinetics and reaction rates
• Dielectrics and optics
• Electrokinetics and particle/molecular interaction forces

Applications:

• Scanning probe microscopy – measuring molecular interactions and forces
• Single molecule detection techniques
• Interfacing bio-systems with electronics
• Biomimetics and biosensing
• Molecular motors
• Patterning single molecules
• Nano-structured surfaces – applications in cell engineering
• DNA machines; computing with molecules and DNA

Practical work:

• Fabrication of patterned wafer ('master') in clean room
• Surface modification procedures and evaluations
• Culture cells on patterned surfaces.

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Niemeyer CM and Mirkin CA (2005). Nanobiotechnology Concepts, Applications and Perspectives. Wiley-VCH.

Willner I and Katz I (2005). Bioelectronics: from theory to applications. Wiley InterScience.

Pethig R and Smith S (2013). Introductory Bioelectronics. Wiley.

Jones RAL (2007). Soft Machines: Nanotechnology and Life. Oxford University Press.

Atkins P (2010). Physical Chemistry. Oxford University Press.

Nelson DL and Cox MM (2013). Principles of Biochemistry. W.H. Freeman.

Alberts B (2008). Molecular Biology of the Cell. Garland.

Comprehensive lecture notes will be provided.

Hames D and Hooper NM (2011). Biochemistry BIOS Instant Notes series. Taylor and Francis.

Assessment strategy

The lab report (coursework 1) will not be marked if the student has not attended the laboratory sessions.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External