91191 Bionanotechnology
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 91140 Bionanotechnology
Description
Biological systems are extremely important in nanotechnology and many new applications are being developed by mimicking natural systems. Biology is extremely good at self-assembling complex, multi-functional systems at the nanoscale, e.g. cell membranes or DNA. By understanding how these systems work, nanotechnologists are developing new biosensing, biomedical and materials applications, e.g. the ion-channel biosensor. This subject investigates the science that underlies these biological processes and how it is applied in contemporary nanotechnologies.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Describe the biological processes of signal transduction, neuronal signaling and molecular recognition systems and how these can be mimicked and applied in biosensing and other nanotechnology applications. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Discuss and compare biomedical applications of nanotechnology and contemporary biosensor technologies. |
| 3. | Evaluate and discuss potential safety risks associated with various nanomaterials and nanoparticles and their interactions with biological systems. |
| 4. | Critique and synthesize current primary literature on a given topic in bionanotechnology and communicate the findings as a written critical review. |
| 5. | Effectively communicate to, peers and experts in the field, using both verbal and visual display (powerpoint presentation), the outcomes of primary research sourced from the literature and respond to questions and feedback from peers and experts. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Critically appraise and apply advanced knowledge and technical skills to discipline specific projects to inform professional practice in science and medical biotechnology. (1.1)
- Assess, argue for, and conduct independent research and solving complex problems by applying a research methodology to address a research need in a relevant professional context. (2.1)
- Develop, prepare, and engage, at times collaboratively, in safe, ethical, organised and transparent work practices that mitigate risk and contribute to solving global health problems in the context of science and medical biotechnology. (3.1)
- Reflectively discover, create, and evaluate processes used to determine the value, integrity, and relevance of multiple sources of information to derive innovative solutions to complex science and medical biotechnology problems. (4.1)
- Present and communicate complex ideas and justifications using appropriate communication approaches from a variety of methods (oral, written, visual) to communicate with discipline experts, scientists, industry, and the general public. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Bionanotechnology is a core subject for the Master of Science (Biomedical Engineering) and Master of Medical Biotechnology courses. Given the multidisciplinary nature of Nanotechnology which draws on the classical sciences of biology, chemistry and physics, this subject provides students with knowledge and skills to understand and apply biological components and processes within nanotechnology.
The Faculty of Science lists six graduate attributes that you will develop during your course at UTS. This subject will contribute to the development of five of those attributes:
1. Disciplinary knowledge
An understanding of the nature, practice and application of a number of biological processes applicable to nanotechnology are presented through the lecture series. These concepts are assessed directly in the set quizzes and indirectly via the written literature review and critique of the literature seminar presentation.
2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking
An appreciation of critical and independent thinking by data gathering, observation, objective criticism, logical thought and problem solving are considered to be the foundations of the scientific method hence why we focus on these within this graduate attribute outlined below.
a) Research skills including the gathering, evaluating and applying of information relevant to structuring an argument around a scientific problem. Appreciation of the existence of different sources and types of information, such as peer-reviewed publications, databases, research and review articles, textbooks, catalogues and technical reference books. Lectures and workshop activities support the teaching of these and are assessed via the literature review assignment and the critique of the literature seminar presentations given by students.
b) Scientific curiosity is developed through the student presentation sessions which are designed to provoke inquiry and conceptual thinking beyond ‘factual’ information by critically examining published scientific research, testing its impact and application in the real world and the veracity of the data and presented findings.
3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility
a) Professional skills such as gathering, evaluating and using information from a range of sources including databases, research and review articles, textbooks, catalogues and technical reference books will be taught through preparation and writing of the literature review and critique presentation. Criteria used for the marking of these two tasks directly assess this attribute.
b) Professional conduct in science, application of the scientific method and peer review are taught during the lecture and workshop on the preparation of a literature review and critique of a research article. During these sessions discussion on the reasons against and consequences of data fabrication and plagiarism are covered. Assessment of these concepts is made via originality testing of your literature review using plagiarism detection software and via class quizzes.
c) Consideration of the ethical and social impacts arising from the application of bionanotechnologies, including their impacts on human health and the well being of our ecosystems and environment. These issues are explored during the lectures and workshops and assessed via the written literature review and critical presentation tasks.
4. Reflection, Innovation and Creativity
The attributes of reflection, innovation and creativity are developed via the process of peer review, consideration and critique of your own, as well as, fellow students' oral presentations. By reflecting, considering and responding to peer feedback, as well as, critiquing published scientific research studies, students learn to apply and extend their own views and perspectives. Furthermore, these activities help to build confidence in exploring new ideas, testing of norms and dogmas and postulating alternatives; all are key elements that underpin innovation and creativity.
5. Communication
Excellence in written and spoken scientific communication is developed through the process of preparing a comprehensive written literature review and presentation of a critical appraisal of a research paper chosen from a scientific journal. These skills are learned during a dedicated lecture and workshop, aimed at developing appraisal, synthesis and critique of research in bionanotechnology, as well as, paraphrasing and correct citing of literature. Clear and logical writing and oral presention that follows standard practice in scientific communication is assessed via detailed literature review and critique marking criteria.
Teaching and learning strategies
You will have the opportunity to learn about Bionanotechnology through a combination of teaching and learning activities.
This will be delivered largely via online classes that incorporate a range of teaching and learning strategies, which will be complemented by independent learning activities involving reading, written assignments and participation in discussions, formal student presentations and class quizzes.
- The learning activities in this subject include interactive lectures and set readings, incorporating focus questions, formative quizzes and polling, presentations by researchers and guest lecturers and videos.
- The workshops are run as Question and Answer sessions, providing support to students as they work on their set research assignment topic, and will also incorporate discussions where published bionanotechnology research is critiqued and scrutinized. The assessment tasks also include presentations by each student, which are to be recorded and uploaded onto CANVAS. These recorded presentations will be viewed by peers and the facilitator. Students are then provided with constructive feedback by peers and the facilitator, in written format aimed at helping to improve your presentation and communication skills. You are to use this feedback to prepare a short written self-reflection response. These activities are designed to introduce and apply processes such as peer review, scrutiny, debate and critique of the literature, which are key underlying elements of the scientific method and critical thinking.
Throughout the semester you will be expected to spend 10 - 11 hours per week on this subject. This will consist of approximately 4 hours class time and the remaining time in revising new material, preparation for the following week and for completion of set assessment tasks. Students are strongly encouraged to attend all lectures, tutorials and all workshop presentations.
You are expected to conduct yourself in an ethical way and not engage in cheating or plagiarism.
You are expected to monitor Canvas and your UTS email account on a regular basis (every 3 - 4 days) for information or changes to scheduling, assessment tasks, lecture and laboratory times and locations, and to participate in the online forums.
* This subject will be delivered via an online learning mode and a limited number of face-to-face sessions on UTS Campus. The subject employs a combination of Canvas, TEAMS and Zoom for interactive delivery and class presentations.
Content (topics)
In this subject you will learn about biological processes and systems used in nanotechnology as starting materials or the use of biological fabrication and design principles and for inspiration to be applied in medicine or biotechnology.
The following are examples of topics:
- Introduction to Bionanotechnology & Cell biomaterials
- Lipid Membranes
- Membrane & Ion Channel Proteins?
- Intracellular Signalling – Cell Switches and Molecular Recognition
- DNA based technologies
- Antibodies, Immunity & Biosensors?
- Protein Analysis?
- Action Potentials & Neuronal Cell Signalling?
- Nanotoxicology and Nanopathologies
- Nanocoatings, Tissue Engineering and Biomimetics
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Class Quizzes - Task 1
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Criteria: | The underlying premise for the assessment is accuracy of your disciplinary knowledge, as well as interpretation and application of this information. This is achieved via use of short answer and multiple choice questions. |
Assessment task 2: Assignment - Task 2: Literature Review
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking 3. Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Literature review |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 45% |
| Length: | 2500 words |
| Criteria: | This task is designed to evaluate your ability to gather, analyse, synthesise and communicate information, using appropriate sources on a set topic related to Bionanotechnology. It is also designed to assess your ability to correctly cite and reference information, an essential professional skill and consider ethical and social implications of the technologies. Each written review will need to be run through the program Turnitin to assist you in your development of academic writing skills and to avoid inadvertant plagiarism. A detailed assessment rubric for this task is available on Canvas. |
Assessment task 3: Assignment - Task 3: Presentation Critiquing a Research Paper
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking 3. Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2, 3 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 2.1, 3.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | Individual student presentation time of 10 minutes. |
| Criteria: | This task requires the critique of a research article, presented via oral and visual format using powerpoint or equivalent display. The activity assesses your ability to critically appraise published research findings, consider ethical and social impact, and to communicate these verbally and visually to your peers. It also requires listening and correctly interpreting and answering questions from the audience, which will be assessed based on the handling and responses given. A detailed assessment rubric for these tasks is available on Canvas. |
Minimum requirements
- You are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in all set tutorial/workshop sessions.
- You are strongly encouraged to attend/login & listen to all lectures.
- For workshop sessions, a record of attendance will be taken.
- For your critique presentation (task 3), your contribution to peer feedback and reflection, will also be taken into account when giving a final assessment mark.
In order to pass this subject you must normally attain:
- A sum total of all assessment components greater than or equal to 50%.
Recommended texts
Anal, A. K. (2018). Bionanotechnology: principles and applications (First edition.). CRC Press.
Alberts, Hopkin, Johnson, Morgan, Raff (2018). Essential Cell Biology (5th edition), WW Norton & Company.
Alternate Texts:
Alberts, Bray, Johnson, Lewis, Raff, Roberts & Walter (2014) Essential Cell Biology (4th edition), Garland Science.
Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2014, Alberts, Johnson, Lewis, Raff, Roberts & Walter (6th or later editions), Garland Science.
References
- David S Goodsell. (2004) "Bionanotechnology, Lessons from Nature" (Wiley-Liss).
- Raven PH, Johnson GB, Losos JB, Mason KA and Singer SR. (2008) "Biology" 8th Edition (McGraw-Hill).
- Brooker RJ, Widmaier EP, Graham LE and Stiling PD. (2008) "Biology" (McGraw-Hill).
- Campbell NA, Reece JB and Meyers N. (2009) "Biology" 8th Edition Australian Version (Pearson/Benjamin-Cummings)
- Sadava D, Heller HC, Orians GH, Purves WK and Hillis DM. (2008) "Life – The Science of Biology", 8th Edition (Sinauer/ Freeman)
- Freeman S. (2005) "Biological Science". 2nd Edition (Pearson / Prentice Hall)
- Knox RB, Ladiges P, Evans B and Saint R. (2005) "Biology" 3rd Edition (McGraw-Hill)
- Brooker RJ. (2005) "Genetics: Analysis and Principles", 2nd Edition (McGraw-Hill)
- Lodish H, Berk A, Kaiser CA, Krieger M, Scott MP, Bretscher A, Ploegh H and Matsudaira P. (2008) "Molecular Cell Biology" 6th Edition (WH Freeman & Co)
- Nelson DL and Cox MM. (2005) Lehninger - Principles of Biochemistry, 4th Edition (Freeman)
- Garrett LK. (2007) Get Ready for Biology (Pearson/Benjamin Cummings)
- Jones A, Reed R and Weyers J. (2007) Practical Skills in Biology 4th Edition (Pearson/Benjamin Cummings)
- Lawrence E. (2005) Henderson’s Dictionary of Biology, 13th Edition (Pearson/Benjamin Cummings)