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2014/15 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

PHYS5480M Advanced Bionanophysics

15 creditsClass Size: 15

Module manager: Prof S D Evans
Email: S.D.Evans@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2014/15

Pre-requisite qualifications

Passed 3rd yr physics.

This module is mutually exclusive with

PHYS3521

Bionanophysics

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

This course will introduce students to the very latest cutting-edge scientific research in the field of experimental bionanophysics.

This will include areas such as:
- mechanics of biomolecules
- force generation in biological systems
- lipid membranes and their interactions with nanostructures
- lipid vesicles and microbubbles for medicinal applications
- protocells
-Nanoparticle applications in medicinal applications
- protein-mediated nanostructure fabrication
- biomolecular self-assembly
- the structure and dynamics of biomolecules in solution
-DNA and it’s sequencing through nanotechnology
- as well as some of the techniques used for their analysis such as microscopy.

The course will be taught in 5 individual sections. Each section will focus on a particular area, with lectures giving the background of the science of this fields and the students will work towards producing a critical analysis of recent journal article(s) for each section by learning and exploring the science behind the research.

This module complements PHYS5370M (Statistical Physics of Biomolecules and Cells) and taking the two modules would allow the students to obtain both a broad and deep understanding of Bionanophysics.

Learning outcomes
Generic Level learning Outcomes

Upon completing this module students will be able to :

- Solve advanced problems in physics using appropriate mathematical tools;
- Use mathematical techniques and analysis to model physical behaviour and interpret mathematical descriptions of physical phenomena;
- Communicate complex scientific ideas concisely, accurately and informatively;
- Manage own learning and make use of appropriate texts, research articles and other primary sources.

Subject Specific Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this module the students will have:

- an in-depth understanding of some of the most current science in bionanophysics including force generation by molecular motors, reversible folding of DNA, micromechanics of intact muscle, lipid membranes and their interactions with nanostructures, liposomes, protocell (minimal synthetic biological system), nano- medicine, protein-mediated nanostructure fabrication, biomineralisation and biomimetic nanomaterial, biomolecular self-assembly, the structure and dynamics of biomolecules such as DNA, DNA sequencing research.
- developed the skills of reading and extracting information from research journal articles;
- the ability to critically assess the science presented in research articles;
- developed skills in communicating their review of the research by means of an assessed oral and written reviews of the papers.

Skills outcomes
- Understanding of the mechanics of biomolecules
- Self-assembly of biomolecules for the fabrication of nanostructures
- How biomolecules can control the shapes of nanostructures.
- Understand the principles behind the analysis of these materials
- Understand how forces act at the nanoscale
- Develop an understanding and contextualisation of applications of this science
- Critically analyse research in the field.

Syllabus

Movement in Biological Systems
- Bacterial Motion: Motility and Chemotaxis
- Eukaryotic cell motion
- Motion within cells
- Cell Division
- Muscular movement

The Biophysics of Cell Membranes
- amphiphillic molecules
- liposomes
- self assembly and chemical force,
- membrane mechanics, understanding phase diagrams, phase behaviour in bilayers,
- phase separation mechanisms and kinetics, the forces governing domain structure, techniques for studying membranes,
- the biological relevance and importance of this research, applications - targeted delivery, sensors, protocells.

The Physics of Nucleic Acids
- Intermolecular Forces and Brownian Motion - Revision
- The structure of DNA and RNA
- DNA as a polymer chain
- DNA as a polyelectrolyte
- Hydration of DNA
- Imaging of DNA structures using scanning probe microscopy
- Molecular motors operating on DNA
- DNA sequencing
- DNA in Bionanotechnology

Proteins and Single Molecule Spectroscopy

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	22	1.00	22.00
Private study hours			128.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Reading lecture notes and recommended journal articles, as well as sourceing more literature.

The course will make use of original scientific material published in high-profile journals such as:
- Nature
- Science
- PNAS
- and other journals.

Each course section will recommend some short core reading material (such as a review or book chapter) along with 1-3 specific journal articles. All these will be avaible on the VLE through web-links and PDFs.

There will be additional directed reading for MPhys students which will form part of the formal examination.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	Written Assignment	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		20.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	3 hr 00 mins	80.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		80.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 27/03/2015

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