Module overview
This module will provide an introduction to the theory and practice of bionanotechnology, and introduce students to working in a cleanroom and a wet laboratory.
ELEC6205 includes a bionanotechnology experiment involving state-of-the-art equipment that is normally only used by researchers. The experiment starts with fabrication and characterisation of a microstructured master mold, and continues with casting of an elastomeric stamp and printing microscale patterns of biological molecules. This will take place partly in the Mountbatten clean room and partly in the bio-ECS lab (Centre for Hybrid Biodevices) in the Life Sciences building.
This module is a prerequisite for ELEC6210 Biosensors, except for students that already took ELEC3223 in Part 3. ELEC6205 cannot be taken by students who took ELEC3223 in Part 3.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate experimental procedures and experimental data
- Write concise engineering reports
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 Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Evaluate the experimental techniques used to characterise bio-nano systems
- Explain biophysical mechanisms relevant in the context of bionanotechnology
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Perform some basic wet laboratory procedures
- Perform soft lithography procedures involving biomolecules
- Graduate
Syllabus
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.
Learning and Teaching
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Wider reading or practice | 65 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 11 |
| Revision | 10 |
| Tutorial | 6 |
| Completion of assessment task | 25 |
| Lecture | 22 |
| Follow-up work | 11 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Jones RAL (2007). Soft Machines: Nanotechnology and Life. Oxford University Press.
Comprehensive lecture notes will be provided.
Niemeyer CM and Mirkin CA (2005). Nanobiotechnology Concepts, Applications and Perspectives. Wiley-VCH.
Nelson DL and Cox MM (2013). Principles of Biochemistry. W.H. Freeman.
Alberts B (2008). Molecular Biology of the Cell. Garland.
Atkins P (2010). Physical Chemistry. Oxford University Press.
Willner I and Katz I (2005). Bioelectronics: from theory to applications. Wiley InterScience.
Hames D and Hooper NM (2011). Biochemistry BIOS Instant Notes series. Taylor and Francis.
Pethig R and Smith S (2013). Introductory Bioelectronics. Wiley.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
The lab report (coursework 1) will not be marked if the student has not attended the laboratory sessions.
Summative
Summative assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Final Assessment | 70% |
| Continuous Assessment | 30% |
Referral
Referral assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat
Repeat assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External