 | Nanoscale Bio Analysis
Nanoscience and nanotechnology can address one of the greatest challenges in the post-genomic era of the 21st century - making the essential connections between structure and function of biomolecules at the micro/nanoscale to human physiology and pathophysiology at the macroscale. Nanotechnology in the life-sciences is omnipresent. Several biological systems operate at the nanoscale with remarkable precision and regulation. A fine example is that of biomolecular motor proteins, designed by nature to carry out critical functions in the cell. Most of the properties of these proteins are nanoscale, be they size or time of operation.
The field of biology has greatly benefited by advances in other sciences leading to new levels of sensitivity, precision and resolution in biomolecular analysis. One such area is microfluidics,which is quietly changing the way analysis in conducted in the laboratory. Limits of detection are constantly being lowered in areas such as mass spectrometry that has become the backbone of functional genomics studies. The key driving force is the complementary length scale between biological structures that range from the 10's of nanometers (proteins, DNA, viruses) to the micron scale (cells and cellular assemblies) and the new capabilities of nanosystems to manipulate and control such feature sizes within our environment.
Course Instructor
Srinivas Iyer, Technical Staff Member, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico, USA.
His current focus is the blending of micro and nanotechnologies with proteomic analysis and in the development of biologically inspired nanoscale materials for diverse applications.
Who Should Attend
This introductory- to intermediate- level course is suitable for: Managers, Practicing Engineers in R&D, Industrial Scientists on a decision-making level, Executives seeking strategic planning insight, Policy Makers with some technical background, and Academic Researchers developing a strong nano program.
Course Contents
This tutorial will cover analytical methods used to study biological systems at the nanoscale. Specific emphasis will be placed on separation methods and techniques such as mass spectrometry of proteins and small molecules with a description of the principles of the approach, instrumentation available and analysis software for proteomics.
Separation Methods in Bio Analysis
- Nano-LC and capillary electrophoresis
- Interfaces with mass spectrometry
- Chip based separations in micro and nano sized channels: Challenges, status, opportunities
Mass Spectrometry
- Basics of mass spectrometry, MALDI
- Imaging of diseased tissues by MALDI MS
- ESI ionization methods
- State of the art in instrumentation
- Limits of detection etc.
- Applications: Drugs, metabolites, proteinpeptides, nucleic acids
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