Module manager: Dr. Matteo Castronovo
Email: M.Castronovo@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
Entry to MSc Qualifications
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The module follows from the module Food Biotechnology to include advanced techniques and topics. The module also covers the social and economic implications of using biotechnology in food production as well as the legislation and legal issues.
The module introduces advanced techniques in molecular nanotechnology and biotechnology, which are relevant to the food theme. Students will learn:
1. Nucleic acid manipulation;
2. Its application to biosensing, synthetic biology and authentication;
3. Key technological approaches underpinning state-of-the-art biotechnology .
Traditional lectures covering these topics are blended with complementary tutorials and lab activities.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to
1. Demonstrate how bionanotechnology, synthetic biology and advanced bioimaging technologies can contribute to advance food research.
2. Design and perform PCR experiments for food analysis;
3. Evaluate state-of-the art results taken from the literature and appraise their broader implications.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Critical thinking – Students will develop the ability to recognise and understand the role of bionanotechnology in Food systems. Students will also work in lab and critically analyse the obtained data. SS1-3
5. Creative Problem solving – students will develop the ability to question state-of-the-art literature and reflect on their own knowledge and expand it in a bespoke fashion.
6. Communication skills – students will write a lab report and a case study on a topic of choice.
Next-generation DNA sequencing, nanopore sequencing; immuno-fluorescence imaging for protein analysis; throughput and multiplexing in biomolecular analysis; atomic force microscopy (AFM); GMOs and food tracing; DNA origami, DNA nanotechnology; bionanotechnology approaches to anticounterfeiting; DNA synthesis; gene assembly.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Practical | 6 | 2.5 | 15 |
| Seminar | 7 | 1 | 7 |
| Private study hours | 118 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 32 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
A padlet will be created to post questions on Lab activities. Students will be able to provide a draft of their lab report and case studies for comments. In class, informal revision of the covered material will be carried out a few times with Kahoot!. An MCQ will be made available to student to self-assess their knowledge on the topics covered and orient their personal study. Bespoke further reading will be made available upon request.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Coursework | 50 |
| Assignment | Coursework | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
There is no reading list for this module
Last updated: 3/11/2024
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