VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.

227-0393-10L 6 Credits BSC , DR , MSC , NDS D-HEST , D-MAVT , D-PHYS , D-ITET , D-MATL , D-MATH
You're viewing possible stale or outdated data. Please check the latest semester for more up-to-date information.

Bioelectronics and Biosensors

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

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:30:43

Abstract

The course introduces bioelectricity and the sensing concepts that enable obtaining information about neurons and their networks. The sources of electrical fields and currents in the context of biological systems are discussed. The fundamental concepts and challenges of measuring bioelectronic signals and the basic concepts to record optogenetically modified organisms are introduced.

Objective

During this course the students will: - learn the basic concepts in bioelectronics including the sources of bioelectronic signals and the methods to measure them - be able to solve typical problems in bioelectronics - learn about the remaining challenges in this field

Content

Lecture topics: 1. Introduction Sources of bioelectronic signals 2. Membrane and Transport 3-4. Action potential and Hodgkin-Huxley Measuring bioelectronic signals 5. Detection and Noise 6. Measuring currents in solutions, nanopore sensing and patch clamp pipettes 7. Measuring potentials in solution and core conductance model 8. Measuring electronic signals with wearable electronics, ECG, EEG 9. Measuring mechanical signals with bioelectronics In vivo stimulation and recording 10. Functional electric stimulation 11. In vivo electrophysiology Optical recording and control of neurons (optogenetics) 12. Measuring neurons optically, fundamentals of optical microscopy 13. Fluorescent probes and scanning microscopy, optogenetics, in vivo microscopy 14. Measuring biochemical signals

Resources

Lecture Notes

A detailed script is provided to each lecture including the exercises and their solutions.

Literature

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

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , DR , MSC , NDS
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)Students are allowed to use calculators without communication
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
  • Fri 09:15-11:00 (HG E 1.2)
2 h weekly
exercise Bioelectronics and Biosensors
  • Fri 08:15-09:00 (HG E 1.2)
  • Fri 11:15-12:00 (HG E 1.2)
2 h weekly

Offered In