Nanobiotechnology. Bruno Samorì

Course aims: The aim of the course is to introduce students to the emerging nanotechnology tools and techniques that are expected to have in the next future a profound effect also on Bioinformatics. At the same time taking advantage of the strongly interdisciplinary character of Nanobiotechnologies the course will provide the opportunity to strengthen and enrich the student background in basic chemistry, biochemistry and biophysics with connections between these different disciplines that are not commonly settled in other courses.

Course contents: Biology in Nanotechnology and Nano-Sciences in Biotechnology; Natural Biological Assembly at the Nano-Scale: the Process of Self-Assembly and Self-Organization in Biology. The Genetic Information Media and a Template for Nanotechnological Applications.
DNA-based nanotechnology: DNA nano-architectures and their different hierarchical levels. Tailoring textures with local functionalities. Topological dimensions of the assembly. Electronic applications. DNA computing.
Protein-based nanotechnologies for material science.
DNA- and protein-biosensors: point-of-care disposable sensors; detection methodologies; the construction of a bio-functionalized surface for electrochemical detection: the DNA and the protein case.
Single molecule manipulation methodologies: AFM-based and Optical-tweezers-based methods; the tailoring of a single molecule experiment
Molecular interactions in polymer science and protein folding-unfolding equilibrium
studied at the single molecule level

Readings/Bibliography: on line, selected papers and books, like
“Principles of Bio-Nanotechnolgy: Lessons from Nature” by David S. Goodsell, A.J. Olson, David S. Goodsell, A. J. Olson, Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated, 2003, ISBN-13: 97804714171; Gazit E. (2007) Plenty of Room for Biology at the Bottom: Introduction to Bionanotechnology

Teaching methods: Lectures, practicum, lab activity
Assessment methods: For each semester, the test of assessment will be written based on a series of questions to test the knowledge of the student, followed by an oral section.

Teaching tools: Video beam, PC, overhead projector, laboratory activity