LBIK10207U Synthetic Biology
MSc Programme in Biology-Biotechnology
MSc Programme in Biochemistry
MSc Programme in Molecular Biomedicine
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
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.
A combination of original research papers, review articles and laboratory manual
- Category
- Hours
- Exam
- 0,5
- Lectures
- 40
- Practical exercises
- 50
- Preparation
- 95,5
- Theory exercises
- 20
- Total
- 206,0
As
an exchange, guest and credit student - click here!
Continuing Education - click here!
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Oral examination, 25 min. (no preparation)Description 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 and be supervised by the lecturers of relevant topic.
- Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examinators
- Re-exam
A report on a given topic need to be handed in 2 weeks before signing up for the re-exam if the requirements is not met.
Reexam as ordinary exam.
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 limitation
- Continuing and further education
- Study board
- Study Board of Biomolecular Sciences and Technology
Contracting departments
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
- Department of Media, Cognition and Communication
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology
- Department of Chemistry
- The Niels Bohr Institute
Course responsibles
- Sotirios Kampranis (soka@plen.ku.dk)
Lecturers
Science; Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences: Birger
Lindgerg Møller, Thomas Günther-Pomorski
Irini Pateraki, Poul Erik Jensen, Krutika Bavishi, Agnieszka Janina
Zygadlo Nielsen
Science: Department of Chemistry: Nikos Hatzakis, Emma Hooley
The Niels Bohr Institute
Humanities; Department of Media, Cognition and Communication: Sune
Holm
Health; Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology: Søren G.F.
Rasmussen,Claus J. Leland