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227-0393-10L 6 Credits BSC , MSC D-HEST , D-MAVT , D-PHYS , D-ITET
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Bioelectronics and Biosensors

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Janos Vörös, Prof. Dr. Tomaso Zambelli, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Fatih Yanik
VVZ CR 4.4

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:35:58

Abstract

The course introduces the concepts of bioelectricity and biosensing. The sources and use of electrical fields and currents in the context of biological systems and problems are discussed. The fundamental challenges of measuring biological signals are introduced. The most important biosensing techniques and their physical concepts are introduced in a quantitative fashion.

Objective

During this course the students will: - learn the basic concepts in biosensing and bioelectronics - be able to solve typical problems in biosensing and bioelectronics - learn about the remaining challenges in this field

Content

L1. Bioelectronics history, its applications and overview of the field - Volta and Galvani dispute - BMI, pacemaker, cochlear implant, retinal implant, limb replacement devices - Fundamentals of biosensing - Glucometer and ELISA L2. Fundamentals of quantum and classical noise in measuring biological signals L3. Biomeasurement techniques with photons L4. Acoustics sensors - Differential equation for quartz crystal resonance - Acoustic sensors and their applications L5. Engineering principles of optical probes for measuring and manipulating molecular and cellular processes L6. Optical biosensors - Differential equation for optical waveguides - Optical sensors and their applications - Plasmonic sensing L7. Basic notions of molecular adsorption and electron transfer - Quantum mechanics: Schrödinger equation energy levels from H atom to crystals, energy bands - Electron transfer: Marcus theory, Gerischer theory L8. Potentiometric sensors - Fundamentals of the electrochemical cell at equilibrium (Nernst equation) - Principles of operation of ion-selective electrodes L9. Amperometric sensors and bioelectric potentials - Fundamentals of the electrochemical cell with an applied overpotential to generate a faraday current - Principles of operation of amperometric sensors - Ion flow through a membrane (Fick equation, Nernst equation, Donnan equilibrium, Goldman equation) L10. Channels, amplification, signal gating, and patch clamp Y4 L11. Action potentials and impulse propagation L12. Functional electric stimulation and recording - MEA and CMOS based recording - Applying potential in liquid - simulation of fields and relevance to electric stimulation L13. Neural networks memory and learning

Resources

Literature

Plonsey and Barr, Bioelectricity: A Quantitative Approach (Third edition)

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
written 180 minutes
Aids
Generally, no helping material is permittedStudents can prepare and use a collection of formulas (4 pages)
To check the progress of students, weekly quizzes will be offered. The final grade can be improved by 0 - 0.25 depending on the results of these weekly quizzes.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Bioelectronics and Biosensors
The lecturers will communicate the exact lesson times of ONLINE courses.
  • Fri 09:00-11:00 (ON LI NE)
2 h weekly
exercise Bioelectronics and Biosensors
  • Fri 08:00-09:00 (ON LI NE)
  • Fri 11:00-12:00 (ON LI NE)
2 h weekly

Offered In