EB 3200 - Bioanalytical Instrumentation

• Identify key components of several machines used for probing and analysis of biomolecules
• Demonstrate understanding of concepts, principles of operations and applications of the field
• Recognize the vital components of sample preparation for the probing and analysis
• Distinguish between the principles and constraints of high and low throughput
• Recognize that bioprobing and bioanalysis need constant practice and discipline
• Practice safety and ethics involved with the field of bioprobing and bioanalysis
• Recognize and list the hazards associated with the field of bioprobing and bioanalysis

• Biomolecules structure and function. Physics of mechanics, Physics of electricity and magnetism and modern physics

• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)-the basics
• AFM-beyond the basics - using AFM to characterize individual biomolecules, such as DNA
• Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). Theoretical foundations of vibrational spectroscopy. Principles of operation of IR and FT-IR
• FT-IR in biomolecular engineering: spectra of functional groups, application of FT-IR to secondary structure of proteins
• Safety, hazards, discipline, sample prep
• Principles of plate reading/immunolabeling
• Applications/constrains of plate reading/immunolabeling
• Electron microscopy-principles and applications
• Mass spectroscopy-principles and applications
• Basic principles of operation of Palpator^TM and the range of its possible applications in the biomolecular engineering field
• Using the Palpator^TM for high-throughput cellular characterization and cellular treatment efficiency, i.e. pharmaceutical efficacy or toxicity testing

• Laboratory safety, hazards, discipline
• Hands on AFM-contact and tapping mode imaging of objects of known morphology. Basic use of nanoscope
• Analysis software
• Hands on AFM. Preparation of biological samples: DNA on mica. Contact and tapping mode AFM of DNA on mica
• Protein sample preparation. Acquiring spectra of buffer and BSA in buffer
• Analysis of FT-IR spectra of BSA in buffer and determination of changes in the secondary structure of proteins
• Hands on sample prep and Plate reader principle and application
• Tour to Mass Spec facility at MCW
• Hands on sample prep and Palpator^TM application to cell characterization