Back to selection
76039-01 - Lecture: Research Highlights in Single-Molecule Biophysics and Medical Nanosciences (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Every fall sem. |
| Lecturers |
Anne Géraldine Guex (geraldine.guex@unibas.ch)
Sonja Schmid (sonja.schmid@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This lecture provides an interdisciplinary overview of present-day research in single-molecule biophysics, and discuses concepts of nanosciences and nanotechnology for medical application. The course zooms in on bio-macromolecules (proteins, DNA, RNA), their functional dynamics in a ‘jiggling and wiggling’ cellular environment, and also the techniques to reveal and study those with single-molecule resolution. The students will learn the working principles and concepts behind various frontier single-molecule techniques that have revolutionized the way we can monitor inter- and intra-molecular dynamics in the life-sciences: • single-molecule fluorescence imaging and FRET spectroscopies • nanopore technology, incl. biological and solid-state pores • force spectroscopies, e.g. optical and magnetic tweezers, AFM, AFS, etc. • enabling techniques, such as DNA nano-technology / DNA origami In each case, the required background will be introduced followed by an emphasis on information gain and applications. In the second part of the lecture, the students will learn concepts of nanosciences and nanotechnology with potential bench to bedside translation. Knowledge will be gained on different aspects of medical nanosciences, ranging from drug delivery strategies, to diagnostics, tissue engineering, and analyses. • Scaffold development and functionalisation to control cell fate decisions • Nanoparticle synthesis and application • Drug delivery vehicles • Diagnostics |
| Learning objectives | • Gaining intuition about biomolecular behaviour at the nanoscale. • Gaining an overview about biophysical techniques with single-molecule resolution. • Being able to explain the benefits of single-molecule resolution and the risks of ensemble averaging. • Being able to sketch single-molecule experiments to address current research questions in the life sciences. • Knowledge of nanosciences or nanotechnologies in bio(medicine). • Foundations for critical reading and understanding of scientific publications. • Ability to present and discuss selected content from scientific publications. • Knowledge of various biophysical methods and biomedical issues currently being investigated in research. |
| Bibliography | The course material will be provided on ADAM. Relevant textbooks include: • Biophysics in the cell. Bornschlögl, Dietz. 2024. Springer Berlin. ISBN-13: 978-3-662-65804-8 • Single-Molecule Techniques: A Laboratory Manual. Ha, Selvin. 2008. CSHL Press. ISBN 978-087969775-4 • Additional books / papers will be added once the content is defined in more detail. |
| Comments | The lectures are complemented with interactive group work modules, such as a journal club, exercises, student presentations during the lectures. |
| Admission requirements | BSc. level nanoscience, chemistry, molecular life sciences, physics courses |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 10.15-12.00 | Chemie, Physikalische, Kleiner Hörsaal PC 4.04 |
Dates
| Modules |
Electives Bachelor Nanosciences: Recommendations (Bachelor's Studies: Nanosciences) Module Specialisation: Chemistry (Master's Studies: Nanosciences) Module Specialisation: Molecular Biology (Master's Studies: Nanosciences) Module: Mixed Topics (Master's Studies: Chemistry) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | 50%: interactive participation. 50%: oral exam. The oral exam is a conversation about selected topics (drawn by lot). It is based on the lecture content, the publications discussed, and the research covered. It includes all materials addressed in the course, student presentations, and talks (Journal Club, Flipped Classroom). |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Science, studiendekanat-philnat@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Faculty of Science |