The nanobiotechnology field is highly interdisciplinary in nature including contributions from chemistry, biology, physics, material science and medicine. As a consequence, successful research is often conducted as collaborations between individuals having different scientific backgrounds. Such research includes for example, the development of synthesis methods using nano-sized structures inspired by biological components, the utilization of nanomaterials for regulating and monitoring biological processes, and the development of surface biosensing techniques. Advancements in nanobiotechnology has the potential to revolutionize many areas of science, not only within the medical and biotechnology fields, but also within computational electronics, energy storage, energy generation and new analytical tools.

The aim of this PhD student course is to give an overview of the aspects of nanobiotechnology by introducing the most important concepts and applications.

More specifically, the course will include:

• Drug-delivery utilizing nano-sized vehicles and polymer therapeutics
• Biocompatible nanostructured surfaces
• The use of micro an nanofluidics in nanobiotechnology
• Bio and bioinspired mineralization
• Nanoparticle contrast agents for MRI
• Quantum dots in biology
• Localized surface plasmon resonance biosensing
• Synthesis of nano-sized objects using biological templates
• The use of DNA in nanobiotechnology
• Protein based nanostructures
• Nanotoxicology

Date: The course will start with a get-together in the evening of Sunday, May 1^st, 2011 and continue until lunch on Wednesday, May 4^th.

Location: The course will be held at Gullmarsstrand in Fiskebäckskil, just over an hour's drive from Gothenburg.

Course material: Handouts will be sent out prior to the course.

Lecturers: Three lecturers will teach at the course. Prof. Ruth Duncan (drug-delivery utilizing nano-sized vehicles and polymer therapeutics), Assoc. Prof. Aldo Jesorka (micro and nanofluidics in nanobiotechnology) and Assoc. Prof. Martin Andersson (bio and bioinspired mineralization).

As part of the course, the students will be assigned a research topic (one from the list above), which they in groups of 2-3 students will study and then present in a lecture at the course (45 min per lecture/topic). The material will be sent out after the registration dead line and the students need to prepare the lecture before the course starts.

Conference fee: There is no fee for Swedish PhD students. Accommodation and meals are included.

Credits: 4 ECTS credits are recommended for those who participate actively in the course.

Registration: To register send an e-mail to Martin Andersson, martina@chalmers.se. The deadline for registration is March 20, 2011. The total number of participants is limited to about 25, priority will be given to students that are enrolled in Chalmers Soft Matter Graduate School.