Bionanotechnology

Content

• Nanotechnology for drug delivery 
• Nanotechnology for cell and gene therapy 
• Nanotechnology for biosensors 
• Biomedical applications of nano- and micromotors  
• Characterization techniques for nanomaterials  
• Bio-imaging for investigating biological barriers to nanomaterials  

Learning outcomes

• Knowledge and understanding of the use of nanotechnology for medical therapies, biosensors and drug delivery.  
• Being able to relate different parts of the course to one another.  
• Being able to interpret and motivate the importance of relevant experimental data.  
• Being able to understand and motivate a relevant scientific text.  
• Being able to apply the course material to relevant practical problems.

Teaching methods

Lecture, Independent work 

Extra information on the teaching methods: Lectures will be given by a number of specialists in the field. Scientific articles will be provided in connection to some lectures which need to be studied for the oral part of the exam. A practical demonstration will be organized to illustrate some key aspects from the course. 

Assessment

Assessment moments: end-of-term and continuous assessment 
Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the first examination period: Written assessment with open-ended questions, Written assessment open-book 
Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the resit examination period: Oral assessment open-book, Written assessment with open-ended questions 
Examination methods in case of continuous assessment: Oral assessment 
Possibilities of retake in case of continuous assessment: not applicable 
Calculation of the examination mark:  
20% of the final score is determined by the oral evaluation  
80% of the final score is determined by the written exam  
The student passes for the course when a final score of at least 50% is obtained. It is mandatory to participate in all evaluations. If the student does not participate in all evaluations, the final score cannot be deliberated. Please also note that there is no second evaluation possible for the oral exam. 

Lecturers

Braeckmans, Kevin: lecturer-in-charge 

Course dates

This course takes place in the first semester of academic year 2025-2026: 

• Educational activities: September 22 to December 12, 2025 
• Catch-up activities: December 15 to December 20, 2025 
• Christmas recess: December 22, 2025 to January 2, 2026 
• Examination period: January 5 to January 31, 2026 
• Resit examination period: August 17 to September 12, 2026 

There will be one online lecture per week from September 22, 2025 to December 12, 2025. This will take place on Fridays from 10.00 to 11.15 (CET) (to be confirmed). Lectures will be recorded. 

Entry requirements: Basic knowledge of biochemistry, biotechnology and cell biology 

Before application: Please check with your home faculty / study programme if the course can be integrated in your curriculum in order to ensure recognition of the ECTS credits obtained

Students from ENLIGHT partner universities are eligible to participate. Students will be selected at each of these universities separately. Students interested in the course need to apply via their home university. The home university will select the permitted number of students, inform the students as soon as possible, and then send these names to the host institution. Unsuccessful students will be placed on a waiting list and may get a place, if other universities do not use all their allocated places. 

Please select your home university below and inform your ENLIGHT coordinator about your interest to participate in the course. Please include information on whether you have clarified recognition with your home faculty.

• University of the Basque Country:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
• University of Bern:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Bordeaux:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• Comenius University Bratislava:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• University of Galway:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• Ghent University:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Groningen:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
• University of Göttingen:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Tartu:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
• Uppsala University: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

For information regarding the procedure to take part in this course: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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