COURSES

Goals

To introduce students to the basics of: - colloidal processes important in biological phenomena, - understanding physical interactions between cells, - understanding effects of colloidal processes on biological processes, - overview of biological processes mediated by colloids, - understanding concept of cells and macromolecules as colloidal particles, - understanding electrostatic interactions between cells, - understanding processes of attachments of cells, - understanding responses of cells on different surfaces and within different type of organisations (aggregates, biofilms…), - understating effects of physical properties of colloids on the cellular functioning, - understanding diffusion phenomena of nutrients and toxicants on the cell activity, - overview of the use of colloids in the biotechnological and ecoremediation processes. Competencies: - acquiring abilities of solving complex problems in bioreactor and ecoremediation systems, environmental measurements and analysis of materials, - integration of acquired knowledge of colloidal interactions in biosphere into the doctoral research work, - mastering encapsulation techniques for cells.

Curriculum

Basics: - Defining of colloidal biology; - Basic concepts of colloids, distinguishing molecular and colloidal biology; - Description of typical colloidal processes important in biology and biotechnology (enzyme, antibody and other macromolecular binding, cell suspensions, cellular attachments, biofilms, aggregates, flocs…); - Basic concept of colloidal model of the cell; - Basics of electrostatic interactions between cells and surfaces, Ohshima model; - Basics of DVLO theory important in intercellular interactions. Engineering/Bioenginering: - Cell encapsulations; - Antimicrobial surfaces, particles and colloids; - Modifications of cell surfaces; - General problems in biotechnology processes interfering with colloids (flocculation, foaming…). Ecoremediation technologies: - General information on cellular suspensions and colloids in water processing plants; - General information on colloid interactions between cells in the soil. Environment: - Typical phenomena caused by the attached cells (weathering of minerals, water freezing by bacteria, cell aggregates in the air, floculation of cells in water wells…); - Information on biological interactions of the short distance between microbes plants or animals. Biology and biotechnology: - General information on biofilm formation (cellular aggregates, cellular activities, effects of diffusion…). Materials: - Biocorrosion processes.