ECTS credits:
5 ECTS

Course parameters:
Language: English
Level of course: PhD course
Time of year: Spring 2020
No. of contact hours/hours in total incl. preparation, assignment(s) or the like: 6h/week – 7 weeks
Capacity limits: 15 participants

Objectives of the course:
The course aims to provide insight into current topics in electrochemistry of biological systems and electrochemical approaches being used in medicine, biology, nanotechnology and related areas.

Learning outcomes and competences:
At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

• Account for fundamental aspects of electrochemical methods
• Account for electrochemical processes in biological systems
• Provide examples on how electrochemical methods are used for analysis of biological processes and systems
• Analyze and compare different electrochemical approaches/techniques used for studies of biological systems
• Identify suitable electrochemical techniques for specific studies.
• Describe and critically examine the central content of recent scientific articles on electrochemical analysis of biological systems.
  
  

Compulsory programme:
Oral presentation of four articles during the course and participation in practical exercises.

Course contents:

1. Basic introduction to electrochemistry and electrochemical methods, nano-electrochemical approaches and nano-bioelectrochemistry
2. Electrochemistry of biological molecules, membranes, proteins, cells, tissues and living organisms
3. Electrochemistry of life processes such as nerve impulse, brain function, respiration
4. Psychoelectrochemistry: Electroanalysis of brain activity and state
5. Electroanalysis of cell metabolism; cellular dynamics, exocytosis and cellular adhesion.
6. Biological energy conversion. Microbial and enzymatic biofuel cells
7. Applied bioelectrochemistry: Interfacing proteins and DNA, cells and tissues with electronics
8. Bio-analytical electrochemistry: bio-electrodes and drug analysis
9. Electrochemistry of lipid vesicles and biomimetic membranes. Ion channels and transporters in pore-suspended membranes. Nanopore technology
10. Electrochemical design of medical devices: medical implants and bio-functional materials.

3 practical exercises on research equipment will be performed as part of the course. For example: Glucose sensors for diabetes management; Monitoring of adhesion and drug permeability of lipid vesicles and membranes; Electrochemical monitoring of cellular viability; Electrochemical regulation of microbial fouling.

Prerequisites:
MSs degree in Nanoscience or similar. Students with other backgrounds are welcome on the course, but are recommended to contact the course organizer to clarify if their prerequisites are sufficient (e.g. chemistry or molecular biology or equivalent).

Name of lecturer:
Elena Ferapontova (course responsible, iNANO)

Type of course/teaching methods:
Lectures, Class teaching, Practical exercise

Comments on teaching: 2x2 hours of lectures and 2h exercise per week. The lectures will provide an overview of the subjects of the course. The exercises will allow students active participation both in experimental tasks and in the form of presentations of articles and problem solving.

Literature:
Review articles and book chapters handed out during the course

Course homepage:
https://events.au.dk/electrochemistry2020

Course assessment:
Assessment: 48 h take-home exam
Grading: Internal co-examination
Assessment: 7-point grading scale
Notes: Re-exam: June
Aid: None

Provider:
Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO)

Special comments on this course:
This is an iNANO PhD course.

Time:
March, April, May 2020

Place:
iNANO House, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C

Registration:
Deadline for registration is 18 March 2020. Information regarding admission will be sent out no later than 23 March.

For registration: https://events.au.dk/electrochemistry2020

If you have any questions, please contact Elena Ferapontova, e-mail: elena.ferapontova@inano.au.dk.