MOOC COURSE (4 CREDIT)
Course Code
MBN-401
Credits
4 (3 Theory + 1 Practical)
Duration
15 Weeks
Level
PG / Ph.D. Scholars / Researchers / Biotechnology Professionals
Course Coordinator
Dr. Mohd Ashraf Rather,Division of Fish Genetics and Bitoechnolgy, Faculty of Fisheries-SKUAST-Kashmir
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Molecular and Nanobiotechnology represent two of the most rapidly evolving disciplines in modern life sciences. Their convergence has revolutionized healthcare, agriculture, environmental biotechnology, diagnostics, drug delivery, synthetic biology, precision medicine, biosensors, and nanomedicine. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of advanced molecular tools and emerging nanobiotechnological innovations shaping the future of biological sciences.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion, learners will be able to:
- Understand advanced molecular biotechnology techniques.
- Explain principles and applications of nanobiotechnology.
- Apply molecular and nano-scale tools in biological research.
- Evaluate current advances in genomics, proteomics and nanomedicine.
- Analyze emerging technologies in diagnostics and therapeutics.
- Design biotechnology solutions using nano-enabled approaches.
COURSE OUTCOMES
Students will be able to:
- Apply molecular biology techniques in research.
- Understand nanoparticle synthesis and characterization.
- Interpret omics datasets.
- Utilize nanomaterials in diagnostics and drug delivery.
- Evaluate applications of nanobiotechnology in healthcare and agriculture.
- Develop innovative research proposals in molecular and nanobiotechnology.
QUADRANT I: VIDEO LECTURES
MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO MOLECULAR AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
Lecture 1: Introduction to Molecular Biotechnology
Lecture 2: Introduction to Nanobiotechnology
Lecture 3: Historical Developments
Lecture 4: Scope and Applications
Lecture 5: Future Prospects
MODULE 2: ADVANCED MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TECHNIQUES
Lecture 6: PCR and RT-PCR Technologies
Lecture 7: Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
Lecture 8: Digital PCR
Lecture 9: Recombinant DNA Technology
Lecture 10: Molecular Cloning Strategies
MODULE 3: GENOMICS AND NEXT-GENERATION SEQUENCING
Lecture 11: Human Genome Project
Lecture 12: Next-Generation Sequencing
Lecture 13: Third-Generation Sequencing
Lecture 14: Nanopore Sequencing
Lecture 15: Genome Assembly and Annotation
MODULE 4: TRANSCRIPTOMICS AND SINGLE-CELL TECHNOLOGIES
Lecture 16: RNA Sequencing
Lecture 17: Single Cell Sequencing
Lecture 18: Spatial Transcriptomics
Lecture 19: Gene Expression Profiling
Lecture 20: Bioinformatics Tools
MODULE 5: PROTEOMICS AND METABOLOMICS
Lecture 21: Proteomics Fundamentals
Lecture 22: Mass Spectrometry
Lecture 23: Metabolomics Technologies
Lecture 24: Multi-Omics Integration
Lecture 25: Systems Biology
MODULE 6: CRISPR AND GENE EDITING
Lecture 26: CRISPR-Cas Systems
Lecture 27: Base Editing
Lecture 28: Prime Editing
Lecture 29: Gene Therapy
Lecture 30: Ethical Considerations
MODULE 7: FUNDAMENTALS OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
Lecture 31: Nanoscience Concepts
Lecture 32: Nanomaterials
Lecture 33: Types of Nanoparticles
Lecture 34: Nanofabrication Techniques
Lecture 35: Nanotoxicology
MODULE 8: NANOPARTICLE SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION
Lecture 36: Physical Methods
Lecture 37: Chemical Methods
Lecture 38: Biological Synthesis
Lecture 39: Characterization Tools
Lecture 40: TEM, SEM and AFM Applications
MODULE 9: NANOMEDICINE AND DRUG DELIVERY
Lecture 41: Targeted Drug Delivery
Lecture 42: Lipid Nanoparticles
Lecture 43: Cancer Nanotherapy
Lecture 44: mRNA Vaccines
Lecture 45: Precision Medicine
MODULE 10: BIOSENSORS AND FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES
Lecture 46: Nano-Biosensors
Lecture 47: Lab-on-Chip Devices
Lecture 48: Nanoelectronics in Biology
Lecture 49: AI and Nanobiotechnology
Lecture 50: Future Frontiers
QUADRANT II: E-CONTENT
Unit 1
Molecular Biotechnology Principles
Topics
- DNA Structure
- Gene Expression
- Molecular Markers
- PCR Technologies
Learning Activities
- Reading Material
- Animations
- Case Studies
Unit 2
Advanced Omics Technologies
Topics:
- Genomics
- Transcriptomics
- Proteomics
- Metabolomics
Unit 3
Gene Editing Technologies
Topics:
- CRISPR
- TALENs
- Zinc Finger Nucleases
- Prime Editing
Unit 4
Nanobiotechnology
Topics:
- Nanoparticles
- Nanomaterials
- Green Nanotechnology
- Nano-enabled Agriculture
Unit 5
Nanomedicine
Topics:
- Drug Delivery
- Nano Diagnostics
- Cancer Therapy
- Regenerative Medicine
QUADRANT III: SELF-ASSESSMENT
Weekly Quizzes
Week 1: Molecular Biotechnology Basics
Week 2: PCR and Cloning
Week 3: Genomics
Week 4: Transcriptomics
Week 5: Proteomics
Week 6: CRISPR
Week 7: Nanobiotechnology
Week 8: Nanoparticle Synthesis
Week 9: Nanomedicine
Week 10: Biosensors
Week 11: AI Applications
Week 12: Precision Medicine
Week 13: Lab-on-Chip Devices
Week 14: Nano Diagnostics
Week 15: Emerging Technologies
Assignments
- Genome Analysis Project
- CRISPR Design Exercise
- Nanoparticle Synthesis Report
- Nano Drug Delivery Case Study
- Research Proposal Preparation
QUADRANT IV: WEB RESOURCES
Databases
- NCBI
- EMBL-EBI
- DDBJ
- UniProt
- PDB
Bioinformatics Platforms
- Galaxy
- Bioconductor
- Ensembl
- STRING
Nanotechnology Resources
- NanoHub
- Nanowerk
- PubMed
- NIH Nanotechnology Portal
Journals
- Nature Nanotechnology
- ACS Nano
- Nano Letters
- Nature Biotechnology
- Trends in Biotechnology
PRACTICAL COMPONENT (1 CREDIT)
Practical 1: DNA Isolation
Practical 2: PCR Amplification
Practical 3: Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
Practical 4: Sequence Analysis using BLAST
Practical 5: CRISPR Guide RNA Design
Practical 6: Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles
Practical 7: Nanoparticle Characterization
Practical 8: Drug Delivery Simulation
Practical 9: Nano Biosensor Demonstration
Practical 10: Research Project Presentation
MCQs (50 QUESTIONS)
1.
PCR was invented by:
A. Watson
B. Crick
C. Kary Mullis
D. Sanger
Answer: C
2.
The basic unit of heredity is:
A. Protein
B. Gene
C. Lipid
D. Carbohydrate
Answer: B
3.
qPCR is primarily used for:
A. DNA Sequencing
B. Gene Quantification
C. Cloning
D. Hybridization
Answer: B
4.
CRISPR-Cas9 functions as:
A. Sequencing Tool
B. Gene Editing Tool
C. Cloning Vector
D. Biosensor
Answer: B
5.
Nanoparticles generally range from:
A. 1โ100 nm
B. 100โ1000 nm
C. 1โ10 ฮผm
D. 10โ100 ฮผm
Answer: A
6.
The Human Genome Project was completed in:
A. 1998
B. 2000
C. 2003
D. 2008
Answer: C
7.
Nanopore sequencing belongs to:
A. First Generation
B. Second Generation
C. Third Generation
D. Fourth Generation
Answer: C
8.
TEM stands for:
A. Transmission Electron Microscope
B. Thermal Emission Method
C. Total Energy Mapping
D. None
Answer: A
9.
SEM stands for:
A. Structural Electron Method
B. Scanning Electron Microscope
C. Scanning Emission Method
D. None
Answer: B
10.
Liposomes are widely used in:
A. Drug Delivery
B. PCR
C. Sequencing
D. Cloning
Answer: A
11โ50.
- Transcriptomics studies โ RNA (B)
- Proteomics studies โ Proteins (C)
- Metabolomics studies โ Metabolites (A)
- BLAST is used for โ Sequence similarity search (D)
- PDB stores โ Protein structures (B)
- Nanotoxicology studies โ Toxic effects of nanomaterials (A)
- Gold nanoparticles are used in โ Diagnostics (C)
- Biosensors convert โ Biological signal to measurable signal (B)
- Green synthesis uses โ Biological agents (D)
- AFM stands for โ Atomic Force Microscopy (A)
- TALEN refers to โ Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nuclease (C)
- Prime editing is โ Precision gene editing (B)
- mRNA vaccines use โ Lipid nanoparticles (D)
- Nano biosensors improve โ Sensitivity (A)
- Gene therapy involves โ Genetic correction (B)
- Ensembl is a โ Genome database (C)
- UniProt is a โ Protein database (D)
- NCBI stands for โ National Center for Biotechnology Information (A)
- Lab-on-chip devices enable โ Miniaturized diagnostics (B)
- Nanomedicine focuses on โ Nano-scale therapeutics (C)
- Quantum dots are โ Semiconductor nanoparticles (D)
- AFM measures โ Surface topography (A)
- RNA-seq studies โ Transcriptome (B)
- Single-cell sequencing studies โ Individual cells (C)
- Genome annotation identifies โ Functional elements (D)
- Recombinant DNA technology combines โ DNA from different sources (A)
- CRISPR guide RNA directs โ Cas enzyme (B)
- Nanofabrication produces โ Nanostructures (C)
- Systems biology studies โ Biological interactions (D)
- Metagenomics analyzes โ Environmental genomes (A)
- Bioinformatics integrates โ Biology and computation (B)
- Nano agriculture improves โ Nutrient delivery (C)
- Nano fertilizers increase โ Efficiency (D)
- Nanocarriers improve โ Drug targeting (A)
- AI assists in โ Drug discovery (B)
- Precision medicine is based on โ Individual variability (C)
- Spatial transcriptomics reveals โ Gene location patterns (D)
- Proteome refers to โ Complete protein set (A)
- Metabolome refers to โ Complete metabolite set (B)
- Future nanobiotechnology will strongly integrate โ AI and molecular engineering (C)
Answer Key (1โ50)
1-C, 2-B, 3-B, 4-B, 5-A, 6-C, 7-C, 8-A, 9-B, 10-A,
11-B, 12-C, 13-A, 14-D, 15-B, 16-A, 17-C, 18-B, 19-D, 20-A,
21-C, 22-B, 23-D, 24-A, 25-B, 26-C, 27-D, 28-A, 29-B, 30-C,
31-D, 32-A, 33-B, 34-C, 35-D, 36-A, 37-B, 38-C, 39-D, 40-A,
41-B, 42-C, 43-D, 44-A, 45-B, 46-C, 47-D, 48-A, 49-B, 50-C.