Biological Nanomaterials (NANO*4100)
Code and section: NANO*4100*01
Term: Fall 2019
Instructor: Vladimir Ladizhansky
Details
Course Description
Biological systems provide a rich range of examples of specialized chemical systems that are structured on the nanoscale. Nanofibres, microtubules, viruses, and ribosomes are examples of systems that can be studied from the perspective of nanoscience. Using these systems or developing artificial systems which mimic their functionality are important growth areas in nanoscience and will be explored in this course.
Timetable
Lectures
Tuesday and Thursday
11:30 - 12:50
MCKN 317
First Lecture September 5, 2019
There is no Final Exam for this course.
Instructional Support
Instructor: Vladimir Ladizhansky
Email: vladizha@uoguelph.ca
Telephone: +1-519-824-4120 x53989
Office: SSC 1251
Office Hours: Wednesday, 9:00 am-11:00 am. Alternative times can be arranged as required. Please contact the instructor directly
Student Evaluation
Assessment | Weight |
---|---|
Assignments | 20% |
Quizzes | 6% |
Presentations (Students will be asked to give three presentations.Topics for presentations will be distributed in advance.) | 45% |
Papers/Projects (Students will have to write a research proposal based on one of their presentations.) | 25% |
Participation in discussions | 4% |
Topics
Biological molecules and interactions
- Review of basic chemistry concepts. Covalent and non-covalent interactions. Types of interactions- electrostatics, van der Waals interactions, hydrophobicity, steric effects, solvation. Electronegativity, hydrogen bonding, pH.
- Amino acids and their properties. Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins. Factors and interactions determining the different levels of structure.
- Nucleic acids. Structures of DNA and RNA. Interactions determining nucleic acid structures. Watson-Crick base pairing.
Molecular self-assembly
- Formation of detergent micelles. Formation of lipid bilayers and liposomes. Biological membranes. Membrane proteins.
- Molecular “nanomachines”: ATPases, ion channels, and transporters, molecular motors.
- Peptide and protein misfolding. Formation of amyloid fibrils and lessons that can be learned from this – novel peptide based nanomaterials with applications.
Nanobiomaterials with applications
- DNA nanotechnologies. Metallic nanoparticle-based nanobiomaterials. Imaging and contrast agents. Semiconductor-, ceramic-, protein-, polymer-based nanobiomaterials. Biologically-directed/self-assembled nanobiomaterials. Viruses. Lipoproteins.
Learning Resources
Recommended Resources
- Soft Machines: Nanotechnology and Life (Textbook)
Richard A. L. Jones
Paperback – Nov 29 2007 - Molecular Cell Biology (Textbook)
Harvey Lodish et al.
Hardcover – Jun 15 2007 - Proteins: Structure and Molecular Properties (Textbook)
Thomas E. Creighton
Hardcover – Dec 1 2013
Additional Resources
- Lecture Notes (Notes)
Additional literature (papers, lecture notes, links to online materials, etc.) will be distributed.
University Statements
Email Communication
When You Cannot Meet a Course Requirement
Undergraduate Calendar - Academic Consideration and Appeals
Graduate Calendar - Grounds for Academic Consideration
Associate Diploma Calendar - Academic Consideration, Appeals and Petitions
Drop Date
Undergraduate Calendar - Dropping Courses
Graduate Calendar - Registration Changes
Associate Diploma Calendar - Dropping Courses
Copies of Out-of-class Assignments
Accessibility
Academic Integrity
Recording of Materials
Resources
Disclaimer
Please note: This is a preliminary web course description. The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description. An official course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester and/or posted on Courselink.