Biotechnological and Chemical Sciences in Diagnostics

BIOMOLECULES ANALYSIS AND NANOMATERIALS

BIOMOLECULES ANALYSIS AND NANOMATERIALS

Academic year 2024/2025

Sommario del corso

• Course objectives
• Results of learning outcomes
• Program
• Course delivery
• Learning assessment methods
• Support activities
• Notes
• Teaching Modules
• Teaching tools
• Course card

Course objectives

Module: Spectroscopy and nanomaterial interactions (Prof. Crocellà and Prof. Corno)

The objectives proposed to students in this module are based on the following achievements:

• Understanding of the fundamental physico-chemical properties that characterize nanomaterials, with specific focus on their applications in diagnostics
• Understanding of the fundamental aspects that characterize the interactions of the surface of nanomaterials with (bio)molecules
• Understanding the theoretical and practical basis of spectroscopies for applications in diagnostics
• Ability to handle and critically analyze experimental data

Module: Bioanalytical methods (Prof. Dal Bello)

The teaching, which is distinctive, offers as principal objective the learning of the basic principles of the bioanalytical chemistry and of mass spectrometry techniques used in bioanalytical laboratory. In particular the objectives to be reached are: learning the role of bioanalytical chemistry; detailed knowledge of sampling and extractive procedures of bioanalytical samples analysis; detailed knowledge of the separation techniques and their applications; learning mass spectrometry technique used in the biochemical, biopharmaceutical and biomedical fields; learning the validation of bioanalytical techniques.

The aim of the course is to provide students with the tools for understanding and solving bioanalytical problems using the appropriate techniques of samples pre-treatment and mass spectrometry analysis.

Results of learning outcomes

Module: Spectroscopy and nanomaterial interactions (Prof. Crocellà and Prof. Corno)

Knowledge and Understanding: students will acquire a thorough understanding of the fundamental physico-chemical properties that characterize nanomaterials, with a specific focus on their applications in diagnostics. They will also understand the theoretical aspects that define the interactions between the surfaces of nanomaterials and (bio)molecules, as well as the theoretical and practical foundations of spectroscopies used in diagnostic applications.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding: students will develop the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to handle nanomaterials and critically analyze experimental data related to their interactions with (bio)molecules and their spectroscopic properties.

Making Judgements: students will be capable of making independent judgments based on their understanding of the interactions between the surfaces of nanomaterials and (bio)molecules and their relevance to diagnostic applications, critically evaluating experimental data and recognizing the importance of innovative approaches in diagnostics.

Communication Skills: students will develop the ability to effectively communicate the results and implications of their analyses on nanomaterials and their diagnostic applications, using appropriate scientific language and advanced communication tools.

Learning Skills: students will demonstrate a high capacity for autonomous learning, acquiring and integrating advanced knowledge about nanomaterials, their interactions with (bio)molecules, and spectroscopic diagnostic techniques, preparing for further studies and research in these fields.

Module: Bioanalytical methods (Prof. Dal Bello)

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• understand the use and importance of bioanalytical chemistry for the analysis of samples in the biochemical, biopharmaceutical and biomedical fields.
• know the sampling methods for bioanalytical chemistry analysis
• know the mass spectrometry basic principles of use and applications
• understand the importance of mass spectrometry to address biochemical, biotechnological and biopharmaceutical problems
• critically evaluate the experimental results reported in the literature and discussed during the exercises (independent judgment)
• use the correct bioanalytical terminology (communication skills)

Program

Module: Spectroscopy and nanomaterial interactions (Prof. Crocellà and Prof. Corno)

The module aims at providing the fundamental knowledge about electronic and vibrational spectroscopies, and about the properties of matter at the nanoscale with a specific focus on the surface and its interaction with (bio)molecules.

Frontal lessons

OPTICAL SPECTROSCOPIES (prof. V. Crocellà)

Light-matter interaction. Basis of electron spectroscopy in absorption and emission. Basis of vibrational spectroscopy.  The Franck-Condon principle. The Solvatochromism. Solvent-solute interactions. Hyperchromism and Hypochromism. Hyperchromicity in DNA denaturation. Secondary structure of proteins. Electronic spectroscopy of biomolecules. Biomolecules containing metal ions - Coordination compounds. Ligand Field Theory. Photoluminescence. Sensitivity of photoluminescence. The Quantum Yield.  Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). Sensors for CO₂ and glucose. 

NANOMATERIALS, SURFACES AND INTERMOLECULAR INTERACTIONS (prof. M. Corno)

Introduction on nanomaterials and nanotechnologies. Nanotechnologies and biotechnologies: nanobiotechnologies. The interface between nanomaterials and the biological world. 

Intermolecular interactions: Coulomb interactions; dipole moment; permanent dipoles and induced dipoles; polarizability; dipole/dipole interactions; dipole/charge interactions; solvation; dispersive interactions (London); hydrogen bond. 

The surface of a material. Adsorption models. Adhesion. Hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity.

Laboratory

• Application of UV-Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy for studying different organic chromophores and fluorophores. UV-Vis spectra of coordination compounds in diffuse reflectance. (prof. v. Crocellà)
• Practial applications of nanomaterials modelling (prof. M. Corno)

Module: Bioanalytical methods (Prof. Dal Bello)

• introduction to bioanalytical chemistry: what is it and the role of the science
• sampling and sample extraction, preparation, and purification
• separation techniques (GC, LC, TLC): principles of chromatographic separations. Liquid chromatography: partition, adsorption, ion exchange, size exclusion and affinity chromatography. Gas chromatography. Thin layer chromatography
• mass spectrometry as techniques of analysis of biosamples
• calibration and validation of bioanalytical methods
• Programm of Prof. Enrico Cappellini, visiting professor for academic year 2024/2025: use of mass spectrometry (MS) and high-resolution MS to sequence ancient protein residues recovered from paleontological and cultural heritage materials, methodological development to push reliable recovery of ancient proteins further back in time, to minimise starting sample quantities and to improve data analysis and interpretation. Topics of Prof Cappellini lessons: ancient proteins in paleontology, ancient proteins in cultural heritage, methods development for paleoproteomics

Course delivery

Module: Spectroscopy and nanomaterial interactions (Prof. Crocellà and Prof. Corno)

The module will be delivered through lessons (40 hours) and lab activities (6 hours), focusing on methodological aspects. Participation in the lab activities is compulsory.

The module will be structured as follows.

• Advanced spectroscopy (16 hours, in presence), Prof. V. Crocellà
• Nanomaterials, surfaces and intermolecular interactions (24 hours online), Prof. M. Corno
• Lab activity and data analysis (6 hours), (prof. V. Crocellà and prof. M. Corno)

Module: Bioanalytical methods (Prof. Dal Bello)

The module includes 40 hours of classroom teaching lessons (5 CFU), which involve interaction between students and the professor. Bibliography articles to be read at home will be assigned to critically comment in the classroom the obtained results and the methods used. The analysis of the articles in question will be: corrected by the professor, self-assessed by the student following the correction keys provided by the professor, and evaluated among colleagues with the aforementioned correction keys. For the discussion of the bibliographic articles, small groups of students will be formed.

The platform course contains the material of the lessons (slides and videos when present) and the bibliography articles with the analysis proposed during the lessons.

Learning assessment methods

Module: Spectroscopy and nanomaterial interactions (Prof. Crocellà and Prof Corno)

The exam is devoted to assessing the knowledge and related understanding of the expected learning outcomes. Moreover, the acquisition and understanding of basic knowledge in Chemistry and Biochemistry in relation to the program will be evaluated if necessary, as well as the use of proper scientific/technical language.

The examination is carried out in oral form. Both prof Crocellà and Corno will examine each student. The exam will focus on the topics developed in the frontal lessons of the course. Further questions concerning the laboratory activities will be possible.

The mark for this module is expressed in thirtieths and will depend on both the parts (prof. Crocellà and prof. Corno). 

Module: Bioanalytical methods (Prof. Dal Bello)

The exam consists of a written test lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes. The test contains 20 specific short open questions and 2 general open-ended questions aimed at verifying the learning and mastery of a specific analytical language. Each of the 20 short questions is assigned a score of 0, 0.5 or 1 point; each of the 2 general open questions is assigned a maximum score of 7. Scores > 32 might be cum laude.

Student can request an oral examination (optional) to increase the score acquired in the written test. If, following the oral examination, the score is lower than that obtained during the written test, the student can: accept the previous grade of the written test, or take the oral examination again (two opportunities) within 12 months of the written test, or refuse the score and take the written test again.

The final mark of the whole course will be expressed in thirtieths, and will be computed as follows:

"Bioanalytical methods" module: weight in the final grade = 15/30

"Spectroscopy and nanomaterial interactions" module: weight in the final grade = 15/30

Support activities

Module: Spectroscopy and nanomaterial interactions (Prof. Crocellà and Prof Corno)

During the lab, the students will be divided in small groups, and will have the possibility to discuss together with the teachers the experimental results, trying to make connections with the theoretical concepts explained during the frontal lessons, in order to clarify doubts.

In addition, the teachers can be contacted through e-mail to discuss and clarify any concept explained during the lessons.

Prof. Valentina Crocellà: valentina.crocella@unito.it

Prof. Marta Corno: marta.corno@unito.it

Module: Bioanalytical methods (Prof. Dal Bello)

Professor is available to receive students by appointment for the clarification of individual doubts. On the platform it is possible to ask questions (even anonymously) directly to the professor using the forum section.

Notes

Teaching Modules

• Bioanalytical methods (BIO0258A)
• Spectroscopy and nanomaterial interactions (BIO0258B)

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