Bioimaging
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The imaging of biological samples, or bioimaging, plays a key role in current life science research, enabling scientists to analyze molecules, cells and tissues from a range of living systems. Developments in microscopy techniques and associated tools now allow imaging across an extensive range of scales, from 1-2 nm to whole organism phenotyping.
The aim of the course is to present the theory and the practice of different techniques of microscopy (optical, electronic and scanning probe) also applied in lab-on-a-chip systems.
The course is ideally linked to those dealing with the need of imaging, i.e. molecular and cellular biology, etc.
The aim of the course is to present the theory and the practice of different techniques of microscopy (optical, electronic and scanning probe) also applied in lab-on-a-chip systems.
The course is ideally linked to those dealing with the need of imaging, i.e. molecular and cellular biology, etc.
Expected learning outcomes
After following this course, the students will acquire basic know-how in microscopy and the capability to select suitable approaches to image biological samples.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Part 1 (C. Lenardi)
The first part of the course provides a description of the imaging techniques applied to biology. Some basic notions of geometrical optics are functional to the detailed description of optical microscopes. Confocal microscopy and related techniques (FRAP, FRET, FLIM) will be extensively treated together with more recent developments in super-resolution techniques, in particular SIM, PALM, STORM, STED. Electron microscopies (SEM, TEM, Cryo-TEM) will be presented underlying the different investigations on biological samples that can be carried out. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) will be also presented as a versatile approach for measuring mechanical properties of biological samples.
Part 2 (M. Piazzoni)
The second part of the course deals with the topic of in vitro quantitative cell and tissue biology.
An overview of physic laws governing small systems will be highlighted and explained through Lab-on-chip (LOC) devices, that are laboratory functionalities integrated into miniaturized devices. Next, biomaterials commonly employed as scaffolds in tissue engineering and the related fabrication technologies (focusing on 3D printing) will be presented together with those methodologies used to modify their chemical surface properties. In the end, some examples of engineered 3D cell cultures, such as the muscle and the bone tissues, will be deeply discussed and practical problems will be presented.
The first part of the course provides a description of the imaging techniques applied to biology. Some basic notions of geometrical optics are functional to the detailed description of optical microscopes. Confocal microscopy and related techniques (FRAP, FRET, FLIM) will be extensively treated together with more recent developments in super-resolution techniques, in particular SIM, PALM, STORM, STED. Electron microscopies (SEM, TEM, Cryo-TEM) will be presented underlying the different investigations on biological samples that can be carried out. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) will be also presented as a versatile approach for measuring mechanical properties of biological samples.
Part 2 (M. Piazzoni)
The second part of the course deals with the topic of in vitro quantitative cell and tissue biology.
An overview of physic laws governing small systems will be highlighted and explained through Lab-on-chip (LOC) devices, that are laboratory functionalities integrated into miniaturized devices. Next, biomaterials commonly employed as scaffolds in tissue engineering and the related fabrication technologies (focusing on 3D printing) will be presented together with those methodologies used to modify their chemical surface properties. In the end, some examples of engineered 3D cell cultures, such as the muscle and the bone tissues, will be deeply discussed and practical problems will be presented.
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
The lessons will be delivered by means of slides. Visits to the Imaging platform (NOLIMITS-UNITECH), to the scanning probe microscopy (SPM) laboratory (Dept. of Physics) and to Advanved Biomaterials platform (Fondazione UNIMI) are scheduled. The slides are uploaded to ARIEL.
Teaching Resources
1] G. Haugstad, Atomic force microscopy: understanding basic modes and advanced applications, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, N.J, 2012.
[2] U. Kubitscheck, ed., Fluorescence microscopy: from principles to biological applications, Wiley-Blackwell, Weinheim, 2013.
[3] R.F. Egerton, Physical principles of electron microscopy: an introduction to TEM, SEM, and AEM, second edition, Springer, Cham, 2016.
[4] Tissue Engineering, Edited By Bernhard Palsson, Jeffrey A. Hubbell, Robert Plonsey, Joseph D. Bronzino, CRC Press 2019.
Copies of the slides projected in the classroom as well as other materials will be made available through the course website on the ARIEL platform of the University of Milano (https://clenardib.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx). By no means this material replaces the lectures or a textbook. The material is made available only to registered students of the Degree Course in Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics and should not be distributed to others.
[2] U. Kubitscheck, ed., Fluorescence microscopy: from principles to biological applications, Wiley-Blackwell, Weinheim, 2013.
[3] R.F. Egerton, Physical principles of electron microscopy: an introduction to TEM, SEM, and AEM, second edition, Springer, Cham, 2016.
[4] Tissue Engineering, Edited By Bernhard Palsson, Jeffrey A. Hubbell, Robert Plonsey, Joseph D. Bronzino, CRC Press 2019.
Copies of the slides projected in the classroom as well as other materials will be made available through the course website on the ARIEL platform of the University of Milano (https://clenardib.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx). By no means this material replaces the lectures or a textbook. The material is made available only to registered students of the Degree Course in Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics and should not be distributed to others.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of: 1) presentation with slides of a paper assigned by the teachers concerning recent studies in the biotechnology field in which at least one of the imaging techniques described during the course are used (max 20 min);
2) oral exam concerning the topics covered in the course, in particular a part will deal with the principles and istruments for bioimaging and a part concerning the application of imaging techniques in lab-on-chips.
Examples of the examination test will be discussed during classes and made available to students.
All the theoretical and practical lectures will be delivered if possible in the class-room and, if required, synchronously on ZOOM platform. Archive and Notices on Ariel.
2) oral exam concerning the topics covered in the course, in particular a part will deal with the principles and istruments for bioimaging and a part concerning the application of imaging techniques in lab-on-chips.
Examples of the examination test will be discussed during classes and made available to students.
All the theoretical and practical lectures will be delivered if possible in the class-room and, if required, synchronously on ZOOM platform. Archive and Notices on Ariel.
FIS/03 - PHYSICS OF MATTER
FIS/07 - APPLIED PHYSICS
FIS/07 - APPLIED PHYSICS
Practicals: 16 hours
Lectures: 40 hours
Lectures: 40 hours
Professors:
Lenardi Cristina, Piazzoni Marco
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)