Admission requirements
This course is a core course in the MSc Life Science and Technology programme and an elective course for MSc Chemistry Chemical Biology students.
For students with a BSc degree in MST, LST or equivalent. Students should be familiar with basic concepts in Nanoscience, Nanotechnology, Thermodynamics and Statistical Thermodynamics.
Description
Bionanotechnology studies the implementation of nanomaterials to understand biology. Bionanotechnology finds many applications in chemical biology research, DNA/protein sequencing, drug delivery systems, sustainable energy, and biosensors.
This course introduces nanotechnologies from a chemical perspective and details to what extent nanotechnology can be used to study biology. A particular focus of the course will be given to graphene, other two-dimensional materials, nanopores, and nanoparticles – with the objective to understand why those new nanomaterials are so much in the spot lights of scientific and academic research. Basic concepts such as bottom-up and top down nanofabrication, surface functionalization, biomolecular sequencing, wetting transparency, colloidal stability, nanocrystal nucleation & growth, electronic device nanophysics, and single molecule biochemistry, are explained first. Then, these elementary blocks will be put in perspective for applications: field-effect biosensing, nanopore sensing, current DNA sequencing technologies, and drug-delivery with nanoparticles.
Course objectives
Understanding and knowledge of the use of nanotechnology in the design of sensors, particularly the use of nanopores and single molecule sensors
Knowledge of the theoretical foundations of phase diagrams in the context of van der Waals theory and Classical Nucleation Theory
Understanding and knowledge of the properties of two dimensional materials (including graphene) in the design of biosensors
Knowledge of the theoretical principles that constitute the DLVO theory and the connection with Colloidal Stability
Knowledge of graphene properties, synthesis, transfer and device nanofabrication and microfabrication
Understanding of the experimental phenomenon of Wetting in terms of the Wetting Diagram and surface tensions involved, and rudimentary knowledge of the theoretical description of Wetting in terms of the Surface Potential
Knowledge of colloidal and nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems.
Timetable
Schedule information can be found on the website of the programmes.
In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.
Additionally, you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone, and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.
Questions? Watch the video, read the instructions, or contact the ISSC helpdesk.
Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.
Mode of instruction
Lectures, problem solving, homework, writing a proposal, oral defense of the proposal.
Exercises/corrections.
Assessment method
Assessment will be based on:
1. written exam (2/3 of the final grade)
2. written proposal with oral defence (1/3 of the final grade).
For both the written exam and for the written proposal (with oral defence), a minimum grade of 5.0 is required.
Reading list
G.F. Schneider et al. “Single molecule detection with graphene: nanopores and beyond” (Chemical Society Reviews, 2015), “Chemical and biological sensing with a graphene surface” (Advanced Materials, 2015), “Chemistry of graphene edges” (ChemPhysChem, 2015); handouts; articles.
Registration
As a student, you are responsible for enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.
In this short video, you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.
There are two enrolment periods per year:
Enrolment for the fall opens in July
Enrolment for the spring opens in December
See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.
Note:
It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.
Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.
Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.
Contact
Remarks
According to OER article 4.8, students are entitled to view their marked examination for a period of 30 days following the publication of the results of a written examination. Students should contact the lecturer to make an appointment for such an inspection session.
Assignment deadlines are communicated via Brightspace.
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.