Teknik Biomedis

BENG 100: Frontiers of Biomedical Engineering

Lecture 5 - Cell Culture Engineering

Overview:

Professor Saltzman reviews the concept of gene therapy, and gives some examples of where this is applied. Methods to help deliver DNA into cells using viruses and cationic lipids are discussed, as a way to overcome some challenges in gene therapy. Next, Professor Saltzman gives a brief introduction into bacterial and mammalian cell physiology. He describes the different tissues in the body, the cell development/differentiation process, the anchorage dependence of mammalian cells that allows them to form an organism, and the extracellular matrix.

Reading assignment:

Biomedical Engineering: Bridging Medicine and Technology, in preparation by Mark Saltzman (forthcoming by Cambridge University Press); chapter 5
Summary and Key Concepts: Chapter 5 [PDF]

Class lecture:

Teknik Biomedis

BENG 100: Frontiers of Biomedical Engineering

Lecture 4 - Genetic Engineering (cont.)

Overview:

Professor Saltzman continues his presentation on DNA technology by discussing control of gene expression using two methods of RNA silencing: anti-sense therapy and RNA interference. Molecular cloning techniques to mass-produce proteins using plasmid, restriction enzymes, ligase, and antibiotic selection in bacteria are discussed. Steps and molecules involved in polymerase chain reaction are also described. Professor Saltzman explains how to detect mutations in genomic DNA, such as in sickle cell anemia patients, by gel electrophoresis and Southern blotting. Finally, he gives an example of inducing and controlling insulin expression in large animals by cloning into their genome the insulin gene with the lac promoter.

Reading assignment:

Biomedical Engineering: Bridging Medicine and Technology, in preparation by Mark Saltzman (forthcoming by Cambridge University Press); chapter 3
Summary and Key Concepts: Chapter 3 [PDF]

Class lecture:

Resources:

Problem Set 2 [PDF]

Teknik Biomedis

BENG 100: Frontiers of Biomedical Engineering

Lecture 3 - Genetic Engineering

Overview:

Professor Saltzman introduces the elements of molecular structure of DNA such as backbone, base composition, base pairing, and directionality of nucleic acids. He describes the processes of DNA synthesis, transcription, RNA splicing, translation, and post-translational processing required to make a protein such as insulin from its genetic code (DNA). Professor Saltzman describes the genetic code. RNA interference is also discussed as a way to control gene expression, which can be applied as a new way to treat diseases.

Reading assignment:

Biomedical Engineering: Bridging Medicine and Technology, in preparation by Mark Saltzman (forthcoming by Cambridge University Press); chapter 3
Summary and Key Concepts: Chapter 3 [PDF]

Class lecture:

Teknik Biomedis

BENG 100: Frontiers of Biomedical Engineering

Lecture 2 - What Is Biomedical Engineering? (cont.)

Overview:

Class begins with discussion of students' answers to the two questions given as assignment in the previous lecture. Professor Saltzman talks about the basic concept of biomedical engineering and two separate aspects of it: gaining better understanding of human physiology and developing ways to improve human health. He then introduces the term homeostasis, and talks about parameters that are involved in controlling this state. Finally, the structure of the phospholipid is discussed and how it constitutes the cell membrane.

Reading assignment:

Biomedical Engineering: Bridging Medicine and Technology, in preparation by Mark Saltzman (forthcoming by Cambridge University Press); chapters 1, 2, and 4
Summary and Key Concepts: Chapter 1 [PDF]
Summary and Key Concepts: Chapter 2 [PDF]
Summary and Key Concepts: Chapter 4 [PDF]

Class lecture:

Teknik Biomedis

BENG 100: Frontiers of Biomedical Engineering

Lecture 1 - What Is Biomedical Engineering?

Overview:

Professor Saltzman introduces the concepts and applications of biomedical engineering, providing an overview of the course syllabus, reading materials for lecture and labs and grading logistics. Various pictures are shown to highlight the current application of biomedical engineering technologies in daily life (eg. chest x-ray, PET scan, operating room, gene chip, transport). Next, living standards and medical technologies of the past and present are compared to point out the impact of biomedical engineering as well as areas for improvement in the field. Finally, Professor Saltzman draws references from the poem "London Bridge" to illustrate some societal issues in making materials and devices in biomedical engineering.

Reading assignment:

Biomedical Engineering: Bridging Medicine and Technology, in preparation by Mark Saltzman (forthcoming by Cambridge University Press); chapters 1, 2, and 4
Summary and Key Concepts: Chapter 1 [PDF]
Summary and Key Concepts: Chapter 2 [PDF]
Summary and Key Concepts: Chapter 4 [PDF]

Class lecture: