ADVANCED ANALYTICAL METHODS, BIOSENSORS AND lab-on-chip

The aim is to introduce some of the most advanced analytical methodologies today available to study biomolecular systems. The student understands what possibilities are offered by some of the most advanced analytical techniques in studying complex biomolecular systems.

Knowledge and understanding:

Fundamentals of mass spectrometry, microscopy, and biosensing advanced techniques. Use of the presented analytical techniques for the study of biomolecular systems.

Knowledge and applied understanding skills:

Capacity to apply the acquired knowledge to understand complex questions related to the topics covered in the course.

Autonomy of judgment:

Ability to interpret experimental data based on acquired knowledge.

Communication skills -

Acquire language properties and an adequate ability to present the topics covered in the course

Ability to learn

Develop the necessary skills to undertake more advanced studies.

Classes.

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, changes with respect to previous statements may be introduced, in line with the outlined syllabus.

According to safety requirements linked to the pandemic, learning assessment may also be carried out online.

Attendance is compulsory as specified in the degree course Regolamento didattico and in the Regolamento didattico di Ateneo (art. 24). These regulations also explain when a total or partial exemption from the obligation may be recognized.

Biosensors

General properties. Biological receptors. Immobilization procedures: physical trapping, covalent interactions. Non specific interactions of biomolecular system with solid surfaces. Optical trasducers: Absorption, luminescence, optical fiber, surface plasmon resonance. Electrochemical trasducers. Piezoelectric trasducers.

Microscopy

Optical microscopy: resolution, numerical aperture, Rayleigh and Sparrow criteria, magnification, depth field, confocal microscopy, fluorescence microscopy.

Electronic microscopy: De Broglie, electron-matter interactions, secondary electrons, backscattered electrons, Auger electrons.

Scanning electron microscopy: secondary and backscattered electron images. Electron sources.

Transmission electron microscopy: image formation.

Probe microscopies: Atomic force microscopy: piezoelectric trasducers, tip and cantilever. Forces involved, operating modes. Applications in the study of biomolecular systems.

Mass Spectrometry

Ionic sources: EI, CI, FD, FAB. SIMS, LD-MS, MALDI, ESI. Mass analyzers: magnetic sector, quadrupole, time-of-flight, ICR-MS, ion trap: Mathieu equation, SIM, tandem mass spectrometry. Ion generation in MALDI sources. Hyphenated methods. Analysis of protein. Peptide mass mapping and algorithms. Protein sequencing.

-Notes.

-Skoog, Holler, Nieman, “Principles of Instrumental Analysis”, Saunders College publishing.

-Papers the professor will provide

Oral interview:  Discussion to ascertain the knowledge pursued by the student on the course topics. The student's ability to present the theoretical contents with an appropriate scientific language and the critical capacity acquired in dealing with experimental analytical chemistry will also be verified.

The interview may be conducted online, should conditions require it.

-Fundamentals of ion trap;

-Describe in detail the procedures for the covalent immobilization of molecular entities on surfaces;

-Fundamentals of Atomic Force Microscopy