Title: Nanobiotechnology (New Syllabus)
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In the name of God Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Title: Nanobiotechnology (New syllabus) Chapter one Introduction 1- Course description Nanobiotechnology is regarded as a novel field in multidisciplinary science that evolved from the intersection of nanotechnology and biology. This novel field of research is a bridge between physics, chemistry, and engineering with biology that aims are to design, construct and manipulate the chemical and biological systems on a nanometer scale to recognize the biological events. Nanobiotechnology is producing a new generation of knowledge of materials and systems that are widely applied in various fields involved in medicine, industry, environment, and agriculture. Therefore, it provides a new sight for students and researchers who works in physical and biological systems in nanoscale and also includes applications in medicine and industry. There are two strategies in the nanobiotechnology terminology: Top-down (Nanobiotechnology) In this definition, using nanotechnology science and the application of tools and instrumental analysis, the biological molecules and events will be studied in the nanoscale dimensions. Bottom-up (Bionanotechnology) In this strategy, using the inherent potential of living organisms and construction of the complex structures (like a protein expression and cell compartmentation) and application of simple materials, the nanoscale biomimetics machines will be invented. The goal of both perspectives is to design and fabricate products that are used to study living systems in nanoscale. However, nanobiotechnology using instruments and tools would be considered to study of biological molecules and events. Using these two terms is dependent on the specialized field of each researcher. At present, nanobiotechnology involves the application of optimized biological systems from the cells, cell compartments, nucleic acids and proteins for construction and fabrication of targeted mesoscopic and nanometer structures from inorganic and organic materials. Besides, remediation and using tools and equipment which have been designed for construction and manipulation of nanostructures are now used for basic and applied studies in biological and fundamental processes. It also provides opportunities for early diagnosis of the diseases. This field of science has great applications in medicine, pharmaceutical industry, health science, agriculture, and the environment. Some of these applications are drug and gene delivery, molecular assembly purification, isolation of biological molecules, protein recognition, detection of pathogens, enhancing of imaging contrast in MRI, hyperthermia (using of temperature for the killing of cancer cells), stem cell technology, tissue engineering, lab on a chip, microfluidic and also the development of recognition tools. 2-Course objectives Training of specialized researchers with appropriate interdisciplinary capabilities for analyzing the bioinspired events in the nanoscale. Training of scientists and researchers for teaching and researching in the universities and institutes. Development of diagnostic and therapeutic tools to address the medicine, health, agriculture and environment challenges. 3-Necessity and importance of the course The interdisciplinary field of nanobiotechnology development would be helpful in medicine, industry, and agriculture, and thereby improves human health. The impact of these developments in some cases will be widespread, possibly affecting all areas of science and technology. Innovations such as drug delivery systems and preventive screening are examples of these major development. Many diseases that are not treated today may be treated in the future using nanotechnology. Hence, nanobiotechnology and its products shortly will become an inevitable part of our daily lives and will help us to improve our life. Therefore, the training of postgraduate specialists in the nanobiotechnology filed can provide a background for understanding and development of science and technology borders in this field. Graduates of masters in nanobiotechnology are expected to play an important role in the design, research, and updating of nanobiotechnology knowledge and technologies in all levels of society at the global quality. 4- The role and ability of the graduates Training faculty members for academic and research centers. Working at medicine, pharmaceutical, environment, food and agriculture industries. Founding science-based companies. Working at incubators centers, science, and technology parks. Performing technical affairs related to nanobiotechnology. 5. The length and requirement of the program Doctorate in Philosophy (Ph.D.) is the highest level of academic degree and follows the semester system. The duration of the doctorate program is divided into teaching and research parts in eight semesters and includes theoretical and practical units. Each theoretical and practical unit involves 16 hours and 32 hours, respectively. Teaching course: This course started after student admission includes at least 2 to 4 semesters and terminated with the comprehensive exam. Comprehensive exam: Comprehensive exams consist of either a written (3 topics) or an oral exam according to department decision. The student should obtain a grade of 15 out of 20 in each course and a GPA of 16 out of 20 to pass the comprehensive exam. The Ph.D. teaching course includes 34 units composed of a maximum of 6 units of prerequisite courses, 8 units of specialized courses, 8 units of elective courses and 18 units for Ph.D. thesis. 6. Admission requirements Ph.D. applicants, who attend to participate in the entrance exam, must hold a Master’s degree in one of the related disciplines including Basic Sciences, Engineering, Medical Sciences, Pharmaceutical sciences and other related disciplines confirmed by the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Entrance exam topics 1- Principles of Nanotechnology (Nanochemistry and nanophysics, principles of biotechnology). 2- Cell and Physical Biochemistry (Structure, function, and interactions of biomacromolecules). 3- Biomaterials and surface engineering in nano dimensions 4- Educational talent 5- Proficiency in the English language These topics have been selected from the M.Sc. course of nanobiotechnology and the questions are based on topics confirmed by the supreme council of educational programming. Chapter two Courses lists and tables 1- Compensatory courses Regarding the academic major of each student and if the applicant takes entrance grade less than 25% in each topic, it’s necessary to pass up to 6 units from table 1 course list as compensatory courses Table 1: Compensatory courses Number of units Number of hours Name of course (1-3 units) (16-60 hours) Theory Practical Total Theory Practical Total 1 Principles of 2 --- 2 32 --- 32 Nanotechnology 2 Biomaterials 2 --- 2 32 --- 32 3 Surface Sciences and 2 --- 2 32 --- 32 Engineering Total 12 --- 12 96 --- 96 2- Specialized courses The courses include 8 units and the students have to take 4 courses and 8 units from table 2 as specialized courses. Table 2: Specialized courses in the Ph.D. of Nanobiotechnology Number of units Number of hours Name of course (1-3 units) (16-60 hours) Theory Practical Total Theory Practical Total 1 Physics in Nanobiotechnology 2 --- 2 32 --- 32 2 Applied Molecular and Cell 2 --- 2 32 --- 32 Biology 3 Nanostructure Analysis and 2 --- 2 32 --- 32 Characterization Methods 4 Nano-Bio-Structure 2 --- 2 32 --- 32 Engineering Total 8 --- 8 128 --- 128 3- Optional courses The student should take 8 units of elective courses from table 3 after or with specialized and prerequisite courses according to the student’s decision, supervisor recommendation and department agreement. Table 3: Optional courses Number of units Number of hours Name of course (1-3 units) (16-60 hours) Theory Practical Total Theory Practical Total 1 Molecular Modelling and 2 --- 2 32 --- 32 Simulation 2 Biological Microelectromechanical 2 --- 2 32 --- 32 Systems(Bio-MEMS) 3 Bioconjugate Techniques 2 --- 2 32 --- 32 4 Drug Delivery and 2 --- 2 32 --- 32 Targeting 5 Molecular and 2 --- 2 32 --- 32 Biomolecular Machines 6 Nanobiosensor 2 --- 2 32 --- 32 7 Molecular Basis of 2 --- 2 32 --- 32 Diseases 8 Nanobiotechnology in 2 --- 2 32 --- 32 Industry and Environment 9 Entrepreneurship in the 2 --- 2 32 --- 32 Life Sciences Total 18 --- 18 288 --- 288 Chapter three Specialized course topics Course name: Physics in Nanobiotechnology Number of units: 2 Unit type: Theoretical Course type: Specialized Prerequisite: No Complementary education: None Course Objective: 1- Introduction to molecular interactions. 2- Fundamentals of quantum mechanics. 3- The simple and facilitated diffusion concept. 4- Introduction to the structure, function, and dynamics of biomacromolecules (nucleic acids and proteins). 5- Introduction to the behavior and function of biological membranes and membranes proteins. Course Outline: 32 Theoretical Hours Molecular forces • The Coulomb potential • Electrostatic interactions • Charge–dipole interactions • Induced dipoles • Cation–p interactions • Dispersion forces • Hydrophobic forces • Hydration forces • Hydrogen bonds • Steric repulsions • Stabilizing forces in proteins • Protein force fields • Stabilizing forces in biomembranes Quantum mechanics concepts • Failure of classical physics • Wave-particle duality • Schrödinger Wave Equation • Quantum tunneling • Atomic structure and electronic levels • Electronic,