Module manager: Dr Peter G. Adams
Email: P.G.Adams@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Passed Level 3 Physics modules
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This course explores cutting-edge research at the interface between biology, physics and nanoscience, building on your knowledge of thermodynamics, statistical physics and condensed matter. You will learn about new tools and technologies that are being developed for biomedical and biomaterials applications to improve humankind. This includes the use of nanoparticles for detecting cancer, new types of microscopy and spectroscopy, bio-devices for electricity generation, and self-assembling biopolymer systems. These advances are founded in understanding the underlying physics of the system so that design principles can be developed. By studying these areas, you'll see how bio-nano-physics can address global challenges in healthcare, sustainability, and innovation. No prior knowledge of biological subjects is required; an interest in learning about the physics of biological systems is all that is expected.
This course will provide students with the opportunity to learn about and discuss current research topics in experimental bionanophysics.
Research topics will include:
- Engineering living matrices
- Microfluidics and label-free spectroscopy.
- Biological components from photosynthesis in modern nanotechnology
- Advances in high resolution imaging in the study of dynamics in soft matter and biological system
- DNA bionanotechnology
- Nanoparticles for medical applications
On successful completion of the module students will also be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of current research in bionanophysics.
2. Extract information from research journal articles and critically assess the science presented.
3. Present reviews of scientific concepts, results and methodology in extended formal scientific English with illustrations and figures and references to literature sources as necessary.
4. Deliver presentations as part of a group, including scientific concepts, results and methodology s and answer related questions.
5. Manage Time and deliver work to deadlines.
Students will:
- Develop an understanding and contextualisation of applications of current bionanophysics research
- Critically analyse research in the field.
- Learn the skills of communicating science and presenting a thorough critical review
The course will be taught in two sections: topics 1-3 and topics 4-6 (topics listed below). Each section will provide a detailed introduction and discussion of research in each of the three topics. At the end of first section, half of the students on the module will present a research paper on a topic. This presentation will include a critical analysis of the paper and wider reading of the topic. The group presenting will answer questions from the other half of the students on the module (and lecturers) and provide a written report to address the questions. In the second section, the roles will switch so that all students present and ask questions. Students will write a mini-dissertation on the other research topics in the module, and in doing so learning and exploring the science behind the research. There is no exam for this module.
Topic 1
Nanoparticles for medical applications
-Nanoparticle imaging contrast agents
-In-vitro nanoparticle diagnostics
Topic 2
Biological components from photosynthesis in modern nanotechnology
- Biological cells and light-harvesting proteins manipulation into nanodevices involving polymers/ lipids, novel electrode coatings,
- plasmonic enhancement and algae for biotech.
Topic 3
Microfluidics and label-free spectroscopy.
- Fluid dynamics in the micrometer size channel
- Single molecules, single cells and single animal in a microfluidic device
- Label-free spectroscopy and imaging.
Topic 4
Engineering living matrices
-multiscale assembly of colloidal and polymeric networks 
-exploiting responsive biomaterials for medicine and health
Topic 5
DNA bionanotechnology
- DNA structural nanotechnology, including DNA origami
- Emerging biomedical and biophysical applications in DNA bionanotechnology
Topic 6
Advances in high resolution imaging in the study of dynamics in soft matter and biological systems
- Developments in spatial and temporal resolution (smaller, faster)
- Application; (i) Organisation of cell membranes: Do Proteins Rule Lipids and (ii) Organisation and Dynamics of Synapse receptors"
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office Hour Discussions | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lecture | 7 | 2 | 14 |
| Seminar | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Private study hours | 130 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
Reading lecture notes and recommended journal articles, as well as sourcing more literature and reading up on new scientific terminologies.
The course will make use of original scientific material published in high-profile journals such as:
- Nature
- Science
- PNAS
- and other journals.
All these will be available on Minerva through web-links and PDFs.
Students will give a presentation and answer questions on specific research papers. Informal feedback will be given immediately after the presentations. Informal feedback will also be provided during the lectures. To support the writing of the mini-dissertation, students will have one-on-one meetings with the lecturer, who will provide advice on how to improve their written work.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay or Dissertation | Mini Dissertation | 40 |
| Presentation | Group Presentation on a research paper | 30 |
| Essay or Dissertation | Questions on a research paper | 10 |
| Essay or Dissertation | Report on research paper Q&A | 20 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Students must submit a serious attempt at all assessments for this module, in order to pass the module overall.
There is no reading list for this module
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team