LBIK10207U Synthetic Biology
Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in
Biology-Biotechnology
Content
The course is
interdisciplinary and will be guided by the strong scientific
groups of the UNIK center for Synthetic Biology of Copenhagen
University. Synthetic biology is an emerging technology that
applies biological science as a basis for new developments within
medicine, pharmaceutics, plant biology and materials sciences using
combined concepts developed in biotechnology and nano-science.
Foundational tools to meet this challenge include: Ready access to
off-the-shelf standardized biological parts and devices as well as
advanced tools that enable the integration of basic biological and
synthetic units into multi component systems. Further, a variety of
modern measuring techniques and computational tools are applied in
the design and tests of new systems. The richness and versatility
of biology is the basis for the great potential of synthetic
biology, and it is foreseen that several of the world’s most
pressing challenges may be addressed by these methods.
The course will focus on topics in the frontier of synthetic biology. This will be guided by updated literatures. Examples of selected topics are:
1. Lipid membrane nanotechnology for synthetic biology
2. Light-driven synthesis: Charging the future
3. Synthesis of terpene compounds and manipulation
4. Applications of silver nano-cluster technology
5. Single molecule fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy
6. Biophysical analysis for synthetic biology using scattering methods (light, X-ray) and thermal methods (DSC, ITC)
7. Intact Mammalian Cell Function on Semiconductor
Examples of experiments are:
Interface 1: Biology + Chemistry
1. Single molecule fluorescence microscopy
Demonstration of how we can record the emission of a single molecule. Pyrelenemonoimide dyes will be excited with Argon-ion laser and an image will be formed by a piezo scanner on top of an inverted confocal microscope.
2. Application of silver nano-cluster probe
Students will study how DNA fragment forms silver nano-clustering for a very strong fluorescence and possible applications of the DNA/silver nano-cluster probe for the detection of biological materials, e.g. miRNAs, nucleic acid binding proteins.
Interface 2: Biology + Physics
1. Nano-disc assembly
Self-assembly of monodisperse membrane nanoparticles is an extremely useful tool to study membrane proteins in a controlled native-like environment. Students will study how to make nano-disc (protein self assembly) and its biological applications.
2. Biophysical analysis for synthetic biology
a. Scattering methods (eg. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS)) can be used to elucidate the structure and size of biomelocules and bimolecular complexes. Students will study scattering methods using nanodiscs.
b. Thermal methods (eg. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)) wil be used to study the interaction of biomolecules as well as molecular transition and aggregation properties.
Fundamentals: Core concepts, Definitions.
Tools: Introduction to major experimental tool applied for synthetic biology.
Recent advances and future trends
Industry Applications: Linking theory and business
Ethical Issues: Public concerns and official debate
The course will focus on topics in the frontier of synthetic biology. This will be guided by updated literatures. Examples of selected topics are:
1. Lipid membrane nanotechnology for synthetic biology
2. Light-driven synthesis: Charging the future
3. Synthesis of terpene compounds and manipulation
4. Applications of silver nano-cluster technology
5. Single molecule fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy
6. Biophysical analysis for synthetic biology using scattering methods (light, X-ray) and thermal methods (DSC, ITC)
7. Intact Mammalian Cell Function on Semiconductor
Examples of experiments are:
Interface 1: Biology + Chemistry
1. Single molecule fluorescence microscopy
Demonstration of how we can record the emission of a single molecule. Pyrelenemonoimide dyes will be excited with Argon-ion laser and an image will be formed by a piezo scanner on top of an inverted confocal microscope.
2. Application of silver nano-cluster probe
Students will study how DNA fragment forms silver nano-clustering for a very strong fluorescence and possible applications of the DNA/silver nano-cluster probe for the detection of biological materials, e.g. miRNAs, nucleic acid binding proteins.
Interface 2: Biology + Physics
1. Nano-disc assembly
Self-assembly of monodisperse membrane nanoparticles is an extremely useful tool to study membrane proteins in a controlled native-like environment. Students will study how to make nano-disc (protein self assembly) and its biological applications.
2. Biophysical analysis for synthetic biology
a. Scattering methods (eg. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS)) can be used to elucidate the structure and size of biomelocules and bimolecular complexes. Students will study scattering methods using nanodiscs.
b. Thermal methods (eg. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)) wil be used to study the interaction of biomolecules as well as molecular transition and aggregation properties.
Fundamentals: Core concepts, Definitions.
Tools: Introduction to major experimental tool applied for synthetic biology.
Recent advances and future trends
Industry Applications: Linking theory and business
Ethical Issues: Public concerns and official debate
Learning Outcome
Participants will
obtain broad interface insights on the main subject areas of
synthetic biology with emphasis on interdisciplinary studies. A
wide variety of topics in biotechnology, nano-technology,
neuroscience, structure biology and more will have been covered on
completion of the course. These insights will develop creativity
for the merging to other subjects. By delivering advanced
techniques from various disciplines, students will acquire
practical skills that can be applied to other research fields.
Group collaboration and interdisciplinary communication will be
enhanced by the course.
Knowledge
1. The basic concepts and perspectives of synthetic biology, e.g. conventional synthetic biology and newly emerging synthetic biology.
2. Acquire a common vocabulary useful for synthetic biology (e.g. standard part, chassis, etc.).
3. Identify main current focus and hesitations concerning scientific, ethical and regulatory aspects.
4. The prospects of combining biology to engineer and/or technology.
5. Broad insights on coherent knowledge based on interdisciplinary research.
6. Knowledge of the most recent published literature in the field and insight into ongoing research.
Skills
1. Understand foundational tools applied to the engineering of biology.
2. Identify aspects of biotechnology that inhibit and enable the faster, reliable programming of natural systems.
3. Comprehend current and future applications for synthetic biology.
4. Apply fundamental laboratory approaches for engineering biology.
5. Ability to join in combinatorial interdisciplinary research, e.g. communication and knowledge delivery.
6. Structure reports and handle scientific literature in the proper way.
Competence
1. Able to discuss the issues of public concerns and ethical dilemmas and the potential solutions offered by synthetic biology.
2. Able to prepare and present oral and written work.
3. Capability to find a solution for a problem and work independently.
4. Able to apply the concepts and techniques of synthetic biology to other subjects at a high academic level.
5. Able to work efficiently in a collaborative work situation.
Knowledge
1. The basic concepts and perspectives of synthetic biology, e.g. conventional synthetic biology and newly emerging synthetic biology.
2. Acquire a common vocabulary useful for synthetic biology (e.g. standard part, chassis, etc.).
3. Identify main current focus and hesitations concerning scientific, ethical and regulatory aspects.
4. The prospects of combining biology to engineer and/or technology.
5. Broad insights on coherent knowledge based on interdisciplinary research.
6. Knowledge of the most recent published literature in the field and insight into ongoing research.
Skills
1. Understand foundational tools applied to the engineering of biology.
2. Identify aspects of biotechnology that inhibit and enable the faster, reliable programming of natural systems.
3. Comprehend current and future applications for synthetic biology.
4. Apply fundamental laboratory approaches for engineering biology.
5. Ability to join in combinatorial interdisciplinary research, e.g. communication and knowledge delivery.
6. Structure reports and handle scientific literature in the proper way.
Competence
1. Able to discuss the issues of public concerns and ethical dilemmas and the potential solutions offered by synthetic biology.
2. Able to prepare and present oral and written work.
3. Capability to find a solution for a problem and work independently.
4. Able to apply the concepts and techniques of synthetic biology to other subjects at a high academic level.
5. Able to work efficiently in a collaborative work situation.
Literature
A combination of original
research papers, review articles and laboratory manual
Academic qualifications
The equivalent of a BSc in
natural science (biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry,
physics or medical science).
Teaching and learning methods
Lecture: Delivery of
material in a lecture format (40%) Discussion or Group work (30%)
Lab works: Demonstrations, experiments, simulations
(30%)
Workload
- Category
- Hours
- Exam
- 0,5
- Lectures
- 40
- Practical exercises
- 50
- Preparation
- 95,5
- Theory exercises
- 20
- Total
- 206,0
Exam
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Oral examination, 25 minDescription of Examination: Individual oral examination based on a group work report, 25min for presentation, discussion and question.
Weight: Oral examination 100% - Exam registration requirements
- An approved written report. For the report, a group can select one of the topics of the course will be supervised by the lecturers of relevant topic.
- Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
One internal examinator
Criteria for exam assesment
See learning outcome
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- LBIK10207U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 3
- Schedule
- B
- Course capacity
- No restrictions
- Continuing and further education
- Study board
- Study Board of Biomolecular Sciences and Technology
Contracting departments
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology
- Department of Chemistry
Course responsibles
- Seong Wook Yang (swyang@plen.ku.dk)
Lecturers
Seong Wook Yang, swyang@life.ku.dk, Department of Plant and
Environmental Sciences/Section for Plant Biochemistry, Phone:
353-32354
Kell Mortensen, kell@life.ku.dk, Department of Basic Sciences and
Environment, Phone: 353-32311
Saved on the
30-04-2013