BNT-30306 BioNanoTechnology; Nanomedicine

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Contents:

Building on the foundations laid in BioNanoTechnology; an Introduction, this course will focus on applications of nanomaterials in medicinal applications. Nanomedicine is a most interdisciplinary field of research. In this course, focus is put on biomedical applications from in vitro and in vivo diagnostics, to in vivo multimodal diagnostic, therapeutic and theragnostic applications. Various types of solid and soft nanoparticle systems will be described, that act as host material or scaffolds used for biomedical applications. Solid particles comprise carbon-based material (e.g. fullerenes and carbonanotubes), metallic particles (Au, Ag), oxides (e.g. magnetic iron oxide, luminescent lanthanides) and semiconductor particles (quantum dots). Soft nanoparticle systems treated comprise nanometer-size well-defined polymers (dendrimers), aggregates (coordination polymers, vesicles, micelles) and virus particles. The (bio)chemical functionalization of particles´ inside and/or outside will be treated within the context of targeted nanomaterial/nanoparticles for biomedical and clinical use. In the practical course illustrative experiments are executed for preparation and characterization of nanomaterials, (bio)chemically functionalized solid & soft nanoparticles, coordination polymers and devices. Lectures on state-of-the-art use of nanomedicinal applications including demonstrations and hands-on practicals will be given during an excursion to the Interventional Molecular Imaging group at the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC). Reading and interpreting scientific literature in the field of nanomedicine will be integral part of the course.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- understand nanomaterials, surface-functionalization, covalent/non-covalent interactions, supramolecular chemistry;
- describe how natural and non-natural nanostructures can play a role in toxicity and medicine;
- describe different classes of nanoparticles, from solid metal particles to oxides, semiconductor and nanotube material from dendrimers and micelles;
- discriminate between diagnostic, therapeutic, theragnostic and multimodal nanoparticles;
- discriminate surface functionalization strategies by covalent and non-covalent chemistry;
- plan synthesis and chemical/biochemical functionalization of nanomedicinal compounds;
- investigate the interaction of nano-sized material with biologically relevant molecules in (microfluidic or flat-surface) devices;
- read and interpret scientific literature in the field of (bio)nanotechnology/nanomedicine.

Activities:

Attend lectures, study the course material (Book/ handouts / articles) and make exercises.
Perform illustrative experiments and write a report in which the relation between theory, laboratory classes and implementation in (pre)clinical research is adequately described.

Examination:

The final mark is determined by:
- the written exam (50%);
- the performance during the laboratory classes (10%); presence is compulsory;
- and the quality of the report on the experiments, literature assignments and excursions (40%).

Literature:

Mel I. Mendelson. (2013). Learning Bio-Micro-Nanotechnology. 611p. ISBN: 9781420082036.