500.619 - Fundamental Physics & Chemistry of nanomaterials (Fall)

Course Description: This course will cover the physics and chemistry relevant to the design, synthesis, and characterization of nanoparticles.  Topics include nanoparticle synthesis, functionalization, surface engineering, and applications in diagnostics and therapeutics.  The properties of semiconductor quantum dots and magnetic nanoparticles will be reviewed along with techniques for nanoparticle manipulation, particle tracking, and bio-microrheology.  Patterning tools including soft lithography, optical lithography, e-beam lithography, and template lithography will be discussed.  Electron and scanning probe microscopy will be reviewed. 

Prerequisites: N/A; Mon & Thurs. 1-2:15; Instructors: Peter Season, Kate Stebe, Denis Wirtz, Chia-Ling Chien

------------------------------------------------------------------

020.646 - Biological Spectroscopy

Course Description: The emphasis of this course will be on fluorescence spectroscopy with applications in Biology, Nano-biology, Biophysics and Chemistry. Topics to be discussed include: The interaction of light with matter: absorption, optical rotation/CD, light scattering, fluorescence and phosphorescence. Steady-state and picosecond time-resolved fluorescence and methods for data analysis will be covered. We will describe several excited-state processes including general quenching, spectral relaxation, proton transfer,  and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). The fluorescence of proteins, nucleic acids, membranes and nano bio structures will be discussed. Recent advances including: fluorescence microscopy, multi-photon excitation, single molecule fluorescence, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), quantum dots and green fluorescent protein applications will be discussed.

Prerequisites: This is a graduate course but qualified undergraduates may register with the permission of the instructor. 10am to 11am Thursday and Friday. Text: Principles of Fluorescence Spectroscopy, by Joseph R. Lakowicz. (Third Ed., 2006).
 
------------------------------------------------------------------

Course Description: This course introduces students to concepts and laboratory techniques in nanobiotechnology.  The focus of the laboratory is on nanoparticle carriers for drug delivery and markers for imaging.  The laboratory involves the synthesis of nanoparticles using solution phase techniques and characterization of the nanoparticles by optical techniques such as dynamic light scattering and absorbance spectroscopy.  Strategies for functionalization of nanoparticles are covered with focus on methods for attaching biomolecules.  A second focus of the laboratory is on cell culture and optical microscopy - techniques important for applications of nanoparticles.  In a final section of the course, nanoparticles functionalized with biologically-active molecules, genes, antibodies or other proteins, will be used to probe cell function and to develop methods to enhance our ability to deliver bio-active molecules to cells and tissues.

Prerequisites: Permission Required; Instructor: Denis Wirtz & Peter Searson Friday, 2-5pm

------------------------------------------------------------------

500.495/695 (Fall), 500.497-697 (Spring)   Animation in Nanotechnology & Medicine

Course Description: This course involves the use of animation to visualize scientific processes in nanotechnology and medicine.  Animation is becoming an increasingly important tool in both research and education, especially in fields such as nanobiotechnology that involve complex processes and occur at multiple length scales.  Understanding of the subject matter is gained through interaction with faculty and graduate students in research groups in the Institute of NanoBioTechnology at Hopkins.  The course follows the basic animation pipeline from concept to post production.  Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor; Instructor: TBA