BEE 3801 - Introduction to Nanobiotechnology

(CU-ITL)

Spring. 1 credit. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: basic (freshman and sophomore-level) mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. Permission of department required. Offered in Shanghai, China.

D. Luo.

This course is offered as part of the CALS Signature Semester: “Toward a Sustainable Future and Emerging Technologies in China” on site in Shanghai, China. Nanobiotechnology strides at the interface between nanotechnology and biotechnology. This introductory course teaches the “nano” concept related to nanotechnology and biotechnology. The course further covers nanoscale building blocks of life, in particular nucleic acids (including DNA, RNA, TNA, PNA, etc.). Students also learn the concepts of polymers, biosensing, hierarchy assemblies and self-assemblies in the context of sustainability. A variety of related techniques are examined along with demonstrations of real-world applications at different scales, from nano to eco.

Outcome 1: The students from China (SJTU) and from Cornell University (CALS) will interact and learn from each other intellectually and culturally.

Outcome 2: Examine the importance of sizes when down to the nanoscale; different sets of physical rules start to govern the behavior of objects.

Outcome 3: Grasp the concept of movement at the nanoscale related to diffusion and energy.

Outcome 4: Define the concept that DNA is not only a genetic biomaterial but also a generic nanomaterial.

Outcome 5: Assess several fundamental tools related to nanobiotechnology.