NANO-BIOMATERIALS

This course will provide basic and intermediate level knowledge on the fabrication and characterization of nano-biomaterials, focusing on the engineering of biomolecular assemblies and the computational design of protein constructs.

The learning objectives of the Nano-Biomaterials course include: 1) Advanced knowledge of the properties, synthesis, and applications of nanomaterials in the biomedical field (knowledge and understanding); 2) Ability to apply this knowledge in the design of new biomaterials for regenerative medicine and diagnostic devices (practical application); 3) Critically assess the effectiveness and safety of nano-biomaterials (judgment autonomy); 4) Effectively communicate scientific results (communication skills); 5) Develop autonomy in continuous learning.

An intermediate-level understanding of Biochemistry.

1. Nanomaterials: Principles and Properties
- Introduction to Nanoscience.
- Types of nanomaterials
- Properties of Nanomaterials
- Principles of Nanomaterial Synthesis
2. Molecular units of Bionanomaterials
- Introduction: Biology at the Nanometer Scale
- Cell Compartments
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Nucleic Acids
- Proteins
3. Structural Principles of Bionanomaterials
- Biomolecular Structure and Stability
- Cooperativity
- Protein Folding
- DNA melting transition
- Self-assembly
- Self-organization
- Molecular recognition
- Flexilibility
4. Functional Principles of Bionanomaterials
- From DNA to Protein: Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
- Energetics
- Catalysis
- Biomaterials
- Traffic across membranes
- Biomolecular sensing
- Self-replication
- Biomolecular Motors and Machines
5. Analytical Methods in Bionanotechnology
- Assessing the Morphology of Nanostructures
- Composition and Surface Properties of Nanostructures
- Exploring Physicochemical Properties on the Nanoscale
- Exploring BioMolecular Interactions on the Nanoscale
6. Biofunctionalisation of Nanomaterials
- Modification of the Nanomaterial Surface
- Non-Covalent Biofunctionalisation Strategies
- Biofunctionalisation Using Proteins and Protein Tags
- Covalent Biofunctionalisation Strategies
7. Bioinspired Nanotechnology
-DNA-nanotechnology
-Cell adhesion
-Biohybrid Silica-Based Materials
-Biomineralization
-Biosensors
-Drug Delivery
-Virus-template nanobiomaterials
8. In silico biomolecular design

- Fruk, L., & Kerbs, A. (2021). Bionanotechnology: concepts and applications. Cambridge University Press.
- Goodsell, D. S. (2004). Bionanotechnology: lessons from nature. John Wiley & Sons.
- Pompe, W., Rödel, G., Weiss, H. J., & Mertig, M. (2013). Bio-nanomaterials: designing materials inspired by nature. John Wiley & Sons.

Lecture notes and scientific publications provided during lectures.

The final evaluation will consists in a ca. 30 minute oral exam, as reported in the exam calendar. Students are allowed to present a scientific publication with a slide-assisted talk (15-20 minutes, using a Powerpoint file) accounting for 80% of the final grade, after which some questions pertaining the talk will be asked (accounting for 20% of the final grade).

oral

The evaluation is expressed in thirtieths. The grade is determined by:
• knowledge of the required topics (range 15 points);
• ability to independently articulate the answers (range 5 points);
• confidence in the presentation (range 5 points);
• ability to delve into the topic (range 5 points).
Honors (‘laude’) will be awarded for excellent knowledge and understanding of the program, judgment, and communication skills.

Contents will be presented via lectures. Practical cases based on different scientific articles will be discussed in class, with the possibility for the students to prepare and to train introductory oral presentations for each case report.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development