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Bioelectronics and Biosensors
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:31
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)
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 means.
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Bioelectronics and Biosensors | No time listed | 2 h weekly |
| exercise | Bioelectronics and Biosensors | No time listed | 2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Engineering for Health (Focus Coordinator: Prof. Bradley Nelson)
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5th semester: third year core courses (Can be freely combined, a list of detailed recommendations is available under )
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Specialization: Biomedical Engineering (These core courses are particularly recommended for the field of "Biomedical Engineering" but students may choose core courses from all fields freely.)
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Core Courses (The Core Courses in the Master’s program Mechanical Engineering listed below are indicative and include courses designed by the Department at the Master's level. With the approval of the tutor, students may also select Master's-level courses offered by other departments at ETH. These courses will be marked as non-regular in the LAG, but their categorization as Core Courses is possible if included in the approved LAG.)
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Track Core Courses (During the Master programme, a minimum of 12 CP must be obtained from track core courses.)
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Recommended Elective Courses (These courses are particularly recommended for the Molecular Bioengineering track. Please consult your track advisor if you wish to select other subjects.)
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Electives (376-1622-00L Practical Methods in Tissue Engineering (offered in the Autumn Semester) and 376-1624-00L Practical Methods in Biofabrication (offered in the Spring Semester) are mutually exclusive to be eligible for credits.)
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Doctorate Materials Science (Further information at: )
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