Techniques to monitor the function of single biomolecules and complexes

- Single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy (FRET, confocal and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy)

- Force spectroscopy to monitor function of single proteins and cells

- Microscopy beyond the diffraction limit: Super-resolution microscopy

Surface sensors to elucidate and quantify molecular interactions

- Immobilizing biopolymers on surfaces

- Optical & electrical detection techniques

Development and application of microfluidic and nanofluidic sensor devices

- Miniaturization of analytical techniques: Lab on a chip

- Chemical and biochemical sensors

- Next-generation DNA sequencing approaches

Engineered biomolecules to manipulate cells or as drug delivery vehicles

- Nano-containers for drug delivery vectors

- DNA based self-assembly and nanofabrication of complex structures

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

Biochemistry I and II

Molecular and Cellular Biophysics I and II

Biomolecular absorption and fluorescence

General biochemistry

• 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

• 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

Exercises 15%

Oral presentation 35%

Final project (research proposal) 50%

Nanobiotechnology, Niemeyer & Merkin (Wiley 2004)

Introduction to bioMEMS, Folch (CRC press, 2012)

• Introduction to bioMEMS / Folchhttp://library.epfl.ch/en/beast?isbn=9781439818398
• Nanobiotechnology / Niemeyer & Merkinhttp://library.epfl.ch/en/beast?isbn=9786610520794

Handouts and literature references distributed in class

• https://go.epfl.ch/CH-413https://go.epfl.ch/CH-413