Biotechnological and Chemical Sciences in Diagnostics

ADVANCED SPECTROSCOPY AND NANOTECHNOLOGY

ADVANCED SPECTROSCOPY AND NANOTECHNOLOGY

Academic year 2022/2023

Sommario del corso

• Course objectives
• Results of learning outcomes
• Course delivery
• Learning assessment methods
• Program
• Teaching tools

Course objectives

The objectives proposed to students in this course 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 electronic spectroscopies and microscopies for applications i diagnostics

- Ability to handle and critically analyze experimental data

Results of learning outcomes

-  Understanding the electronic and surface chemistry of nanomaterials and how it is related to technologically important fields such as nanobiotechnology

- Understanding the main phenomena ruling the interactions at the surface of a nanoparticle

 - Understanding the basis of the main physico-chemical characterization techniques relevant in the field

-  Ability in data treatment, handling and analysis

Course delivery

The course will be delivered through lessons (72 hours) and lab activities (6 hours), for focus on some methodological aspects. Participation to the lab activities is compulsory.

The course will be structured as follows.

First semester:

  Advanced spectroscopy (16 hours), Prof. V. Crocellà

Second semester:

  Nanotechnology, structured as follows:

- Nanomaterials, surfaces and intermolecular interactions (24 hours online), Prof. M. Corno

- Microscopies and metal nanoparticles (32 hours), Prof. G. Berlier

- Lab activity and data analysis (6 hours)

Learning assessment methods

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

Modality and forms of the exams

From the end of the first semester students can sign up for the exam on Advanced Spectroscopy at the official rounds. The examination is carried out in oral form. 

From the end of the second semester students can sign up for the exam related to Nanotechnology. The examination is carried out in oral form. The students will be expected to prepare a short power point presentation dealing with a specific topic encountered in the course and/or lab activity. Material for the presentation (case studies, research material etc.) could be provided by the teachers on request. Pertinent questions, focusing on the topic of the presentation and on the main concepts addressed in the course will evaluate the global preparation of the students.

The final mark is expressed in thirtieths, and will be computed as follows:

Part on Advanced Spectroscopy: weight in the final grade = 7/30

Part on Nanotechnology: weight in the final grade = 23/30

The grade obtained on the Advanced Spectroscopy part will be valid for the corresponding solar year. The students will need to pass the two parts during the same solar year to have the final mark.

Program

The course aims at providing the fundamental knowledge about electronic and vibrational spectroscopies, electronic microscopies and about the properties of matter at the nanoscale with a specific focus on the surface and its interaction with (bio)molecules. Some classes of inorganic nanoparticles with applications in bioimaging and nanomedicine are specifically addressed.

Basis of electron spectroscopy in absorption and emission. Basis of vibrational spectroscopy. Electronic spectroscopy of biomolecules. Circular Dicroism. Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). Sensors for CO2 and for glucose. 

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. 

Use of electronic microscopies for nanoparticles characterization. Cryo-TEM. Atomic Force Microscopy. Fluorescence microscopy. 

Inorganic nanoparticles: formation processes (nucleation and growth, aggregation, Ostwald ripening). Nanoparticles stability and flocculation. Metal nanoparticles. Surface plasmons and Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance. Relationship between the structure/size and functional properties of interest for diagnostic applications. Surface Enhanced Resonance Spectroscopy (SERS).

Laboratory activity about synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles. Data analysis.

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