OVERVIEW

"Bioelectronics" is a basic course to electronic devices and biophysical systems. Bioelectronics is a theoretical course and aims to provide the student knowledge and operational skills related to solid state physics and biophysics, with particular insights into the theoretical-modeling aspects of electronic devices and biological membranes. From a methodological point of view, the course seeks to highlight the common language between the study of natural and artificial systems through the unifying language of mathematics.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Describe the phenomena of electrical conduction in electronic systems and devices and in simple biophysical structures with particular emphasis on cell membranes.

Demonstrate the fundamental laws governing the electrical and bio-electrical functioning of electronic devices as well as synthetic and cellular membranes.

Describe simple circuit models of electronic components and biophysical structures.

Solve simple application problems related to basic electronic circuits and simple biophysical systems. 

To develop and use according to the boundary conditions circuit models for neuronal cells.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Describe the phenomena of electrical conduction in electronic systems and devices and in simple biophysical structures with particular emphasis on cell membranes.

Demonstrate the fundamental laws governing the electrical and bio-electrical functioning of electronic devices as well as synthetic and cellular membranes.

Describe simple circuit models of electronic components and biophysical structures.

Solve simple application problems related to basic electronic circuits and simple biophysical systems. 

To develop and use according to the boundary conditions circuit models for neuronal cells.

PREREQUISITES

Chemistry, Mathematics 1, and Mathematical Physics.

TEACHING METHODS

Theoretical lectures and exercises

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction to bioelectronic systems. Semiconductor materials: conductors, semiconductors, insulators; charge carriers in intrinsic and doped semiconductors; optical properties of semiconductors and photoconduction.

Molecules and biological systems: aqueous solutions; structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids and lipids; optical properties of macromolecules.

Charge carriers motion in semiconductors: drift and diffusion; recombination. Motion and interactions of ions and molecules in solution: electrophoresis and diffusion; chemical reactions; enzymatic catalysis; membrane transport and biological membranes.

Electronic devices: pn junction; Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (MOS) structure in accumulation; depletion, inversion; "enhancement" and "depletion" MOSFET transistors.

Structures and systems in cell biology: membrane transport; the neuron; the synapse. Simplified biophysical models of the neuron and synapse.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- M. Grattarola, G. Massobrio :”Bioelectronics handbook : MOSFETs, Biosensors & neurons”, McGraw-Hill, (1998).

- S.M. Zse: “Physics of Semiconductor devices”, Wiley Inter science (1981).

- Course notes on aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SERGIO MARTINOIA (President)

GIUSEPPE MASSOBRIO

PAOLO MASSOBRIO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/8713/p/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written and oral exam

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Two intermediate written tests respectively in the middle of the course (January) and at the end of the course (June). The two intermediate tests are substitutes for the written test.

Exam schedule