Nucleic Acid and Protein Biosensors

Nucleic acids and proteins have proven to be extremely useful biomarkers for disease diagnosis, especially early disease detection. PCR-based nucleic acid amplification tests were the gold-standard for confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, which became a household term during the pandemic. 
This course is designed to equip learners with the essential skills required to develop biosensors which enable disease identification by detecting specific nucleic acid sequences and/or proteins. Significant focus will be on discussions for developing point-of-care diagnostics. A non-exhaustive list of techniques discussed in this course includes PCR, isothermal nucleic acid amplification assays, nucleic acid/protein-based lateral flow assays, oligo ligation assays, ELISA, sandwich ELISA, probe-based assays, dipstick assays, and CRISPR-based assays.

• Understand the significance of nucleic acids and proteins as biomarkers for disease detection in humans, animals, and plants
• Understand and evaluate different techniques for nucleic acid and protein isolation from complex samples.
• Understand and evaluate different techniques for nucleic acid and protein identification
• Evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of different nucleic acid and protein isolation and detection strategies learnt in this course for various diseases and sample types (blood, urine, sputum, plant leaves, plant roots etc.)
• Apply all the learnt principles in the course project to design a biosensor for detection of selected target pathogen/disease.
• Design a biosensor for identification of target pathogen/disease of choice

• Gain comprehensive understanding of nucleic acids and proteins as disease biomarkers across humans, animals, and plants
• Acquire deep knowledge of design principles and working mechanisms of nucleic acid- and protein-based biosensors.
• Develop practical skills in isolating and identifying nucleic acids and proteins from complex biological sample
• Critically evaluate and select appropriate detection strategies based on disease type and sample matrix
• Apply theoretical knowledge to define a research problem and formulate a suitable biosensor-based solution
• Design and propose a complete biosensor system for chosen pathogen/disease detection

Multiple research papers for all the topics covered in the class will be shared every week.