The course is a quantitative introduction of the biophysical principles behind a number of molecular and cellular processes. Topics include: basic stat mech, biophysics of macromolecules, DNA mechanics, molecular assembly, molecular machineries, cell motility, mechanobiology, biomolecular networks and pattern formation. Tools and techniques used at the frontier of nanoscience and nano-bio-technology will be introduced including: single-molecule fluorescence and force techniques, super-resolution microscopy, and DNA sequencing. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussion and present/discuss multiple research papers.
The course will be focused on gained a deeper understanding of a piece of equipment, culminating to students building their version of this equipment. We will develop an understanding of the function of each component of the instrument and any necessary coding required for hardware control, data acquisition, and data processing. Dependant on the module, typical topics students will become familiar with are optical systems, electrical circuits, and coding in different software environments (e.g., MATLAB, Python, Arduino) best fit for the task at hand. In groups, students will produce at least one working piece of scientific instrumentation by assembling low-cost components and developing code. At the end of the course, students will be able to identify major components of scientific instrumentation and have working knowledge of their role as well as how they are assembled.
This multidisciplinary course will discuss the biochemical and biophysical properties of nucleic acid as well as applications of nucleic acid in modern biotechnology and nanotechnology. Topics include DNA/RNA structure and function, physical chemistry of nucleic acid that influences their behaviour in biological systems, techniques to study structure and function of nucleic acid, and DNA bio-nano-technology such as molecular machines, biosensors, DNA origami, and next-gen sequencing.
Feb. 22, 2024
Virtual, Nov. 26, 2021
Accelerate Okanagan, Oct. 18, 2019
