De elektronische studiegids voor het academiejaar 2026 - 2027 is onder voorbehoud.





Protein-based biomaterials (4912)

Coordinating lecturer:Prof. dr. Geert-Jan GRAULUS 


Credits: 3,0
Study load hours: 81
Period: semester 2 (3sp)

Language of instruction: English

2nd Chance Exam1: Yes
Final grade2: Numerical
Tolerance3: See included in these programmes

Sequentiality
Advising sequentiality bound on the level of programme components
 
 
Advice

For students of 2 master materiomics, the following programme component is advised to be also included in your study programme up till now: Materials chemistry in health (02-004898)



Prerequisites

Student has gained prior knowledge in:

  • the structure and reactivity of organic compounds
  • basic concepts in biochemistry (structure of DNA and proteins, the application of enzymes as biological catalysts)


Content

In this course, students will gain an advanced understanding of the field of recombinant DNA technology and its application in the design and production of protein-based materials. Students will deepen their understanding of the fundamental concepts and will learn to apply these insights in real life problems.

  1. Proteins as building blocks in materials science
  2. Recombinant DNA technology
    • Gene cloning and PCR
    • Sequencing technologies and DNA libraries
    • Protein expression and purification
    • Post- and co-translational modifications
  3. Selected applications
    • Nanobodies in biosensing
    • Design and expression of Elastin-like proteins

The objective of this course is to enhance students' understanding and practical application of recombinant DNA technology for protein design and production. By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the purposes and benefits of recombinant DNA techniques.

  • Understand the fundamental principles of recombinant DNA technology as it relates to protein-based materials.

  • Analyze problem situations through case studies, formulate hypotheses, and select appropriate research methodologies and techniques to adapt proteins based on application-specific requirements.

  • Translate practical issues into experimental workflows, simulate these workflows using computational methods, and effectively communicate the results through written and oral reports.



Compulsory course material
 

A syllabus accompanying the handbook and additional study material (e.g. powerpoints of the lessons, selected papers) is made available on Blackboard.

 

Recommended reading
 

Title: From genes to genomes
Author: Jeremy W. Dale, Malcolm Von Schantz, Nicholas D. Plant
Edition: 3
Publisher: Wiley
ISBN: 9780470683859
Extra info: /



Organisational and teaching methods
Organisational methods  
Case session  
Lecture  
Response lecture  
Teaching methods  
Case study  
Presentation  
Workshop  


Evaluation

Semester 2 (3,00sp)

Evaluation method
Written evaluation during teaching period30 %
Transfer of partial marks within the academic yearYes, with condition
Conditions transfer of partial marks within the academic yearStudents must attain a minimum score of 10 out of 20 for the written report of their individual assignment.
Report
Written exam70 %
Transfer of partial marks within the academic yearYes, with condition
Conditions transfer of partial marks within the academic yearStudents must attain a minimum score of 10 out of 20 for the exam.
Closed-book
Oral explanation
Evaluation conditions (participation and/or pass)
Conditions The student is required to complete the individual assignment by submitting a written report. Also the written exam with oral explanation is a mandatory part of the evaluation.
Consequences If the student fails to meet the evaluation criteria because of an unjustified reason, a final mark will not be assigned. Instead, an 'N' will be displayed on the score sheet, indicating not all evaluation criteria have been met.
Additional information

Regarding the improper use of genAI in this course, we refer to the guidelines of the study program and the lecturer on Blackboard.

For students with an exam contract: The written evaluation during the teaching period will be replaced by the same written evaluation during the exam period.


Second examination period

Evaluation second examination opportunity different from first examination opprt
No
Explanation (English)An evalution component (exam and/or written report) will only need to be
redone if the student did not achieve a score of 10 out of 20 for these
parts.


Learning outcomes
  EC = learning outcomes      DC = partial outcomes      BC = evaluation criteria  
Master of Biomedical Sciences
  •  EC 
  • EC 01. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences has a thorough knowledge of the molecular and cellular processes of the healthy and diseased organism and has insight in different methods for prevention, diagnosis and therapy of diseases.

  •  EC 
  • EC 03. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences can draw up a new research hypothesis based on his or her own findings or based on the findings of others, and work out a research proposal for this.

  •  EC 
  • EC 04. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences has knowledge of state-of-the-art techniques within biomedical research and is able to apply these techniques, taking into account the applicable quality standards.

  •  EC 
  • EC 06. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences can report scientific findings in writing and orally to both experts and a wide audience in a structured way.

  •  EC 
  • EC 07. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences takes a critical attitude towards one's own research and that of others.

  •  EC 
  • EC 09. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences can set up, conduct and report biomedical research in an ethical manner and with integrity, taking into account current regulations.

  •  EC 
  • 11. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences can function in a multidisciplinary team and can fulfill a bridging function between the various actors in health care. The graduate knows the importance and needs of the various stakeholders within the life sciences.

  •  EC 
  • 12. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences has an attitude for lifelong learning and for constantly adjusting one's own professional thinking and acting. 

 

Master of Biomedical Sciences
  •  EC 
  • 1. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences has a thorough knowledge of the molecular and cellular processes of the healthy and diseased organism and has insight in different methods for prevention, diagnosis and therapy of diseases.

  •  EC 
  • 11. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences can function in a multidisciplnary team and can fulfill a bridging function between the various actors in health care. The graduate knows the importance and needs of the various stakeholders within the life sciences.

  •  EC 
  • 12. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences has an attitude for lifelong learning and for constantly adjusting one's own professional thinking and acting.

  •  EC 
  • 3. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences can draw up a new research hypothesis based on his or her own findings or based on the findings of others, and work out a research proposal for this.

  •  EC 
  • 4. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences has knowledge of state-of-the-art techniques within biomedical research and is able to apply these techniques, taking into account the applicable quality standards.

  •  EC 
  • 6. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences  can report scientific findings in writing and orally to both experts and a wide audience in a structured way.

  •  EC 
  • 7. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences takes a critical attitude towards one's own research and that of others.   

  •  EC 
  • 9. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences can set up, conduct and report biomedical research in an ethical manner and with integrity, taking into account current regulations.  

 

Master of Materiomics
  •  EC 
  • EC 1. The graduate of the Master of Materiomics programme has an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of functional materials, especially with regard to the relation between composition, structure and functional properties at all length scales and in their operating surroundings.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC1.1 The student is able to explain the structure of materials and apply this knowledge.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC1.2 The student is able to explain properties of materials and apply this knowledge.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC1.3 The student is able to explain techniques for characterization and modeling of materials.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC1.5 The student is able to explain synthesis and deposition methods for materials.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC1.6 The student can understand properties from the structure.

  •  EC 
  • EC 2. The graduate of the Master of Materiomics programme can combine chemical and physical principles enabling the discovery of new material concepts based on an interdisciplinary approach.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC2.1 The student is able to design a structure with properties in mind.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC2.2 The student is able to select and optimize a materials concept.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC2.4 The student has knowledge of chemical concepts and methods. [learning pathway interdisciplinarity - identification: the students knows which phenomena are studied in the various disciplines and which methods and theories are used]

     
  •  DC 
  • DC2.5 The student has knowledge of physical concepts and methods. [learning pathway interdisciplinarity - identification: the student knows which phenomena are studied in the various disciplines and which methods and theories are used]

     
  •  DC 
  • DC2.8 The student is able to evaluate which disciplines are involved in solving a complex material problem. [learning pathway interdisciplinarity - reflection: the student considers different perspectives and is able to reflect critically on them]

     
  •  DC 
  • DC2.9 The student is able to assess which concepts, models and methods from different perspectives are most useful in a specific context. The student uses this assessment in selecting the best perspectives. [learning pathway interdisciplinarity - reflection: the student considers different perspectives and is able to reflect critically on them]

  •  EC 
  • EC 3. The graduate of the Master of Materiomics programme has insight in how modelling or synthesis methods predict and affect functional properties and is able to design sustainable materials based on in-operando functionality making optimal use of the synergy between computational and experimental methods.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC3.1 The student is able to apply techniques for characterization and modeling.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC3.2 The student is able to predict properties from structure using modeling methods.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC3.3 The student understands how a synthesis affects the properties of a material.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC3.4 The student is able to select, justify and optimize the appropriate characterization/modeling technique and method to investigate structure, synthesis, properties of materials and devices.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC3.5 The student is able to select a material and device architecture in view of a specific application/functionality.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC3.6 The student is able to justify the choice of a synthesis method in view of a particular property and/or structure of a material.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC3.7 The student has knowledge of experimental concepts and methods. [learning pathway interdisciplinarity - identification: the student knows which phenomena are studied in the various disciplines and which methods and theories are used]

     
  •  DC 
  • DC3.8 The student has knowledge of computational concepts and methods. [learning pathway interdisciplinarity - identification: the student knows which phenomena are studied in the various disciplines and which methods and theories are used]

  •  EC 
  • EC 4. The graduate of the Master of Materiomics programme is able to autonomously consult, summarise and critically interpret international scientific literature, reference it correctly and use it to explore and identify new domains relevant to the field.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC4.1 The student is able to look up and select appropriate international scientific literature from a variety of disciplines related to materials-related problems or research questions.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC4.2 The student is able to correctly and completely reference to scientific literature.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC4.3 The student is able to critically interpret, evaluate, compare, and/or summarize relevant scientific literature related to materials-related problems or research questions.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC4.4 The student is able to use relevant scientific literature to solve materials-related problems and/or to identify and explore new areas relevant to the field.

  •  EC 
  • EC 6. The graduate of the Master of Materiomics programme is able to communicate in both written and spoken form and to take a well-argued position in a scientific discussion, going from a general to a specialist level, adapted to the target audience.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC6.1 The student is able to report orally and in writing in an adequate manner.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC6.3 The student is able to take and defend a logically constructed position, based on relevant and scientifically supported arguments.

  •  EC 
  • EC 10. The graduate of the Master of Materiomics programme is able to autonomously acquire new knowledge and monitor, evaluate and adjust one’s learning process.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC10.1 The student can reflect on their own strengths and areas for improvement and use feedback to improve their own work and competences.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC 10.2 The student is able to formulate goals and priorities, translate an assignment into subtasks, and create a realistic schedule.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC10.3 The student is able to autonomously acquire, process, and critically interpret new information.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC10.4 The student is able to identify issues from the field of materiomics and suggest solutions.

     
  •  DC 
  • DC10.5 The student is able to relate new material-related interdisciplinary knowledge to his/her existing disciplinary knowledge base. [learning pathway interdisciplinarity - coordination: The student is able to make connections between different perspectives]

 

Included in these programmesTolerance3
Y
1st year Master of Biomedical Sciences - Bioelectronics and Nanotechnology Y
1st year Master of Biomedical Sciences - Environmental Health Sciences Y
1st year Master of Biomedical Sciences - Molecular Mechanisms in Health and Disease Y
2nd year Master of Materiomics specialisatie opleidingsonderdelen Y
Exchange Programme Chemistry Y
Exchange Programme materiomics Y
first year Master of Biomedical Sciences - Clinical Biomedical Sciences Y



1   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.12.2, section 2.
2   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.15.1, section 3.
3   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.16.9, section 2.