The aim of this module is to provide students with basic knowledge in molecular and cell biology, in particular, aspects of relevance to Nanotechnology. The module is conceptually divided in two closely interrelated parts, which are taught in an alternating fashion:

·        Part 1: Basic Biomolecular Chemistry: to introduce the important classes of biomolecules (nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates) and some of their diverse roles in living organisms. In addition, an overview of the most important experimental methods of modern molecular biology is given.

·        Part 2: Biological Nanostructures and their Functions: based on the knowledge of function and structure of biomolecules gained in Part 1 the structural and functional organisation of biological nanostructures such as membranes and organelles is discussed. Particular em phasis is given to the relation between function and complex organisation on the nanometre scale.

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• relate the structures and conformations of nucleic acids, proteins (enzymes), polysaccharides and lipids to their function in a complex, nanostructured (biological) environment.
• describe the machinery of protein biosynthesis and assess regulatory processes on various levels, i.e. transcription control, post transcriptional control etc..
• critically assess the use of key experimental methods and interpret the results as applied to biological problems on the nanometre scale.
• assess the role of molecular structure and nanoscale organisation for the function of biological membranes and membrane bound processes in different scenarios, i.e. signal transduction in nerve c ells, respiratory processes in mitochondria, photosynthesis in chloroplasts and cell communication.
• discuss the importance of nanoscale organisation of sub-cellular structures.
• relate molecular scale conformation changes to nanoscale organisation and micro- and macroscopic motion caused by molecular motors in biological systems. 
• predict membrane potentials from the application of the Nernst Donnan Equation
• relate basic electrical and electrochemical processes to complex physiological phenomena.

Lecture -

Tutorial -

Part 1: Basic Biomolecular Chemistry

·        DNA and RNA structure and replication

Regulation of gene activity

·        Protein biosynthesis

·        Proteinstructure and function (selected examples)

·        Polysaccharides in biological systems

Cell communication

·        Lipids in biological systems

·        Selected biomolecular methods (separation techniques, PCR, electropho resis, blotting)

Part 2: Biological Nanostructures and their Function

• Self-organisation phenomena in biological systems
• Viruses
• Cells, membranes and organelles
• Neurons and synapses
• Signal transduction in biological systems
• Ion channels and pumps
• Molecular motors (kinesin, actin-myosin, etc.)
• Nanostructuration of Life
• Physico-Chemical phenomena on the nanoscale (membrane potentials, signal transduction, catalysis, molecular motion and tran sport)