| Competences |
| Type A | Code | Competences Specific |
| A1.1 | A1.1. Successfully studying and learning about the chosen research ambit: evaluating the technical and scientific importance, the technological potential and the viability of the nanoscience, design, preparation, properties, processes, developments, techniques and applications of materials. | |
| A1.5 | A1.5. Formulate, develop and apply materials, products and mechanisms that use nanostructures. | |
| A1.6 | A1.6. Analyse, identify and evaluate the data obtained from experiments and databases in the field of nanoscience, materials and chemical technology. | |
| A2.2 | A2.2. Critically evaluating the results of research in the field of nanotechnology, materials and products and process design. | |
| Type B | Code | Competences Transversal |
| B4.1 | B4.1. Continuously learning. | |
| B5.3 | B5.3. Applying critical, logical and creative thought in a research and innovative context. | |
| Type C | Code | Competences Nuclear |
| C1.1 | Have an intermediate mastery of a foreign language, preferably English |
| Learning outcomes |
| Type A | Code | Learning outcomes |
| A1.1 |
A1.1 Can identify the structure and function of DNA, the structure and function of proteins, and the technology of recombinant DNA. A1.1 Can identify the importance of genetically modified food; DNA forensic analyses, PCR, electrophoresis, DNA sequencing. | |
| A1.5 |
A1.5 Can apply nanotechnological developments in DNA and tissue engineering to artificial organs and food. | |
| A1.6 |
A1.6 Understand how nanobiotechnology can be applied in diagnosis, therapeutics, computation and electronics. | |
| A2.2 |
A2.2 Are familiar with the human genome project, genomics, metabolomics and proteomics. | |
| Type B | Code | Learning outcomes |
| B4.1 |
B4.1 Autonomously adopt the appropriate learning strategies in every situation. B4.1 Set their own learning objectives. | |
| B5.3 |
B5.3 Follow a logical method for identifying the causes of a problem. | |
| Type C | Code | Learning outcomes |
| C1.1 |
Express opinions on abstract or cultural topics in a limited fashion. Explain and justify briefly their opinions and projects. Understand instructions about classes or tasks assigned by the teaching staff. Understand routine information and articles. Understand the general meaning of texts that have non-routine information in a familiar subject area. Write letters or take notes about foreseeable, familiar matters. |
| Contents |
| Topic | Sub-topic |
| The subject consists of the following contents: 1. Informal Session Film: Gattaca and The Island - Movie showing future possibilities of nanobiotechnology. The goal of the class is to give an overview of knowledge that will be on the course and the current and potential applications of nanobiotechnology. 2. Introduction. What is Biotechnology? • Definition of Biotechnology, the techniques used in Biotechnology: Who's Who in biotechnology? How is biotechnology used? Applications of biotechnology:medicines in the market today, agriculture - Food and transgenic animal genomics and proteomics, gene therapy and embryonic stem cells. Cloning. What are some of the issues raised by biotechnology? Bioethics / "Genetic Ethics," public attitudes toward biotechnology, safety awareness - The patenting of genetically modified organisms, therapeutic uses of human genes and tissues. Social responsibility of science as a business. 3. Structure DNA and the Central Dogma. Structure of DNA, the purine and pyrimidine bases in DNA and RNA. Nucleosides. Nucleotides. Hydrogen bonds. Denaturation and renaturation. Gene expression. mRNA, tRNA and rRNA. The link between DNA and protein (central dogma), and the consequences of their bond. 4. Replication, Transcription and Translation, The Triple Code. The DNA replication process. Okazaki fragments. Telomeres and Telomerase and their roles in cancer and aging. DNA and chromatin packaging. Gene expression (transcription and translation). The genetic code and the amino acid. 5. Proteins and Protein Structure, Enzymes, and Antibodies. Structure and properties of amino acids, peptide bonds, the folding of the protein, and primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures. Discussion of some classes of proteins (structural, transportation, motors, storage, signs, receiving, etc..). Enzymes and antibodies. Enzymes and ranking. The role of antibodies in the immune system and its use in therapy and diagnostics. 6. Recombinant DNA Technology. History of recombinant DNA technology and techniques in which you are involved. The use of vectors (plasmids, bacteriophages, etc.), Restriction enzymes, ligases and antibiotic resistance in the permeation process, transformation and selective enrichment for DNA cloning. Some commercial successes in recombinant DNA technology: the production of recombinant insulin. 7. Electrophoresis, sequencing, PCR, molecular Lights (Molecular Beacons), real-time PCR. Discovery of DNA polymerase and its use in the chain reaction of the polymerase for DNA amplification. Steps involved, the role of the primers (primers) and the use of molecular beacons in real time PCR. Detailed study of the 'nested', 'multiplex', 'hot start', 'asymmetric' and 'touchdown' PCR and other PCR formats. Use for electrophoretic separation of DNA and proteins and discussion of the manual and automatic processing of the DNA sequencing. 8. Feed and DNA detective actions. Study of genetically modified foods, and forensic DNA. Description totipotency properties and use Agrobacterium tumefaciens vector. Description of the specific applications of genetically modified food using some specific cases. What are GM crops and how they are made? Why we need GM crops? What biotech companies are ahead of the Ag-Biotech Crop production? What regularization processes exist with GM crops? What are the debates about GM foods, real or imagined? Short overview of the history of forensic DNA. What are polymorphisms, short tandem repeats, RFLPs codes and use these to obtain DNA fingerprints. Study applications in criminal investigations, recognition bodies, paternity testing. Discussion The use of mitochondrial DNA in evolutionary analysis. 9A. Stem cells and gene therapy (part I). Introduction of the concept of embryonic and adult stem cells, stem origins and properties, generation and differentiation of embryonic stem cells, stem cell therapy, cells clinical applications. Comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of adult and embryonic cells, respectively. Discussion about biotechnology companies working in this field and politics in different countries in relation to stem cells. Debate on ethical issues associated with stem cells. 9 b. Stem cells and gene therapy (part II). Explanation gene therapy, starting with the history, types of gene therapy and the different systems that are available. Description of viral vectors (viruses integrated and non-integrated) and administration by electroporation and liposomes. Limitations and gene therapy applications. Different cases of monogenic diseases and in cancer gene therapy. 10. The Human Genome Project, genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics. Vision of the Human Genome Project (HGP) and the post-genomic era. Discussion of the history and goals of the HGP, project objectives, mapping low or high resolution, chromosome walking, shotgun sequencing, automated DNA sequencing, DNA microchips, bioinformatics and the results of the HGP, ethical, legal and social issues associated. The importance of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Explanation of functional genomics and tools (aptamers, mass spectroscopy and differential 2D-electrophoresis ice) to take control of gene expression using metabolomics (transcriptomics) and proteomics. 11. Nanotechnology: history, definitions and major milestones. This class sees the beginning of the second half of the course where the focus will move to nanotechnology, starting with a brief history of nanotechnology from the biasing force of Nanotechnology - the use of integrated circuits in computers and will give examples of current research along with various applications such as materials, energy, information technology and biomedicine. 12. Nanobiotechnology Applications. Diagnosis. The use of nanobiotechnology for diagnostic applications. Integrating biosensors for multiplexed detection microsystems. Simultaneous detection of proteins and nucleic acids with systems based on micro-processing, capillary micro-PCR/electroforesis / dielectrophoresis / FACS / MAC. Methods of selective deposition and biochips commercially Nanogen, Affymetrix available. 13. Nanobiotechnology Applications. Therapy. Role of Nanobiotechnology in therapeutic applications. Using antibodies bound to liposomes for targeted drug delivery into cancerous tumors, antibodies bound to magnetic nanoparticles, and magnetic fluid hyperthermia carriers nanoparticles bound vesicles by the possible crossing of the blood brain barrier between drugs. Using aptamers to prevent viral transcription of HIV, HCV, etc. will be discussed. 14. Nanobiotechnology Applications. Tissue Engineering / Artificial Organs Artificial implants limitations transplants. The solution based on tissue engineering. controlled differentiation of cell nanoscale features. Sowing "in vitro" on a biodegradable scaffold. Inserting a direct support to the damaged tissue regeneration area. Applications functional bone tissue engineering polymers, inorganic nanocomposite / polymer for dental and bone restoration. Applications for replacement. Nanomaterial bioactive bone, the graft and tissue engineering scaffolds for tissue engineering nanostructured and regeneration. |
| Planning |
| Methodologies :: Tests | ||||||||||
| Competences | (*) Class hours |
Hours outside the classroom |
(**) Total hours | |||||||
| Introductory activities |
|
2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||
| Lecture |
|
45 | 45 | 90 | ||||||
| Forums of debate |
|
3 | 3 | 6 | ||||||
| Personal attention |
|
0.5 | 0 | 0.5 | ||||||
| (*) On e-learning, hours of virtual attendance of the teacher. (**) The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students. | ||||||||||
| Methodologies |
| Description | |
| Introductory activities | Overview of course with introductory videos |
| Lecture | Lectures detailing all aspects of course |
| Forums of debate | Two debates (i) Stem cells (ii) Genetically modified organisms |
| Personal attention | Personalised assessment |
| Personalized attention |
| Description |
| Tuesday and Thursday 12-14h Dr. Ciara O'Sullivan ICREA Research Professor Nanobiotechnology & Bioanalysis Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Avinguda Països Catalans, 26 Tarragona 43007 Spain Tel: 0034977558740/0034977240312 Fax: 0034977559667/0034977559721 |
| Assessment |
| Methodologies | Competences | Description | Weight | ||||||
| Lecture |
|
40% Final Exam 40% Project 20% Homeworks |
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| Forums of debate |
|
Debates | 0.1 | ||||||
| Others |
| Other comments and second exam session | |||
| Sources of information |
| Basic |
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Handouts will be provided and uploaded to Moodle before each class. |
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| Complementary | |||||||||
| Recommendations |
(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.