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Materials for Biology and Medecine
Materialien in Biologie und Medizin
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:05:27
Abstract
In this class we first review the unique properties of water and the physico-chemical processes which give rise to the formation of self-assembling structures of amphiphiles in water. We then describe the specificity of cell membranes (phospholipids bilayers) and review the processes by which cells interact with their environment, i.e. both with the extracellular matrix and with other cells.
Objective
By learning the basic principles of self-assembly, the students can predict and calculate shape and size of desirable structures by choosing the appropriate amphiphile and the proper environmental conditions (pH, ionic strength…). That is an important step since such structures are at the moment one of the most common ways for drug encapsulation and delivery to specific targeted cells. By exploiting their additional knowledge in cell interactions, the students are then also able to propose the design of e.g. a ‘device’ for the production of liposomes delivering antibiotics, or a ‘cell-based array’ for drug screen (useful in industrial research instead of using laboratory animals) in the form of a mini-proposal, as a final research project.
Content
-Role of water as a solvent -Amphiphiles and self-assembly (micelles, vesicles) -Biological membranes and specificity of bilayers -Thermodynamics of self-assembly -Intramolecular (intra-aggregate) forces -Cell-to-matrix interactions (2D and 3D) -Cell-to-cell interactions
Resources
Lecture Notes
as provided during the classes.
Literature
-Intermolecular and Surface Forces by J. Israelachvili, 2nd Ed. Academic Press (1992). -Biomaterials Science by B. Ratner, 2nd Ed. Academic Press (2004). -The molecular Biology of the Cell by Alberts et al., 2nd Ed. (2002). -Principles in Tissue Engineering Lanza, Langer, Vacanti, 2nd Ed. (2002). -Modeling water, the hydrophobic effect, and ion solvation, K. Dill et al. Annu. Rev. Biophys. Biomol. Struct. 34, 173 (2005).
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 60 minutes
- Aids
- 2 A4-Seiten Formelsammlung.
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Materialien in Biologie und Medizin |
|
2 h weekly |
| exercise | Materialien in Biologie und Medizin |
|
1 h weekly |