Entry requirements

120 credits with 30 credits in chemistry. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

The overriding the aim of this course is to provide basic knowledge in the interface between chemistry, physics and biology on the nanostructural level with a focus on biotechnological usage.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• account for interaction of biomolecules with surfaces of different chemical and physical species.
• account for production and the applications of various types of nanostructured materials.
• suggest methods for the design of enzyme reactors and other bioconjugates on surfaces and second carriers, and explain the carrier's influence on the activity of the biomolecule.
• give examples of/analyse applications within the field of bioelectronics and account for the basic principles they are based on.
• use basic principles of microfluidics to solve biotechnical and bioanalytical problems
• make a risk assessment of a nanobiotechnological project.

Content

Examples and production of various types of nanostructured materials with usage and potential within biotechnology. Using biomaterials and biomolecules as bases for inorganic structures. Introduction to surface physics and biomaterials. Methods for derivatisation and characterisation of surfaces and other carrying structures. Theory and methods for studies of the interaction with surfaces and fibres of biomolecules. Applications within bioseparation, diagnostics, the drug delivery and bioimplants. Theory for how lipid/polymer nanoparticles can be utilised as model membranes and for formulation/administration of drugs. Molecular prints of biomolecules. Production and applications of inorganic replicas of biological materials. Enzyme reactors based on nanostructured materials. During the course opportunities are given for oral and written reports.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions, demonstration labs.

Assessment

Written examination is organised during the course and/or at the end of the course. Written examination correspond 6 credits, laboratory sessions and seminar exercises correspond 4 credits. The final grade corresponds to a joining of the written examination and the compulsory parts.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.