Author: bantschool

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A five-day intensive course for researchers and graduate students featuring theoretical and practical lectures on integration of nanomaterials in bioelectroanalytical applications.

Date: 25 to 29 January 2016

Organized by Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil

Venue: Centro de Ciências Exactas e Tecnologia,
Avenida dos Portugueses, 1966. Bacanga 65080-805, São Luís

Contact person: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paulo Roberto Brasil de Oliveira Marques
Mail to: paulobrasil10@gmail.com

Collaborating institutions
• Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Catalonia, Spain
• Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Sponsor

4th BIOANALYTICAL NANOTECHNOLOGY SCHOOL

Objectives of the workshop

General:

To increase the expertise in the field of bioanalytical nanotechnology in Brazil
To promote the application of the techniques related with bioanalytical nanotechnology
in solving problems involving food safety quality, environment protection and health management in Brazil.

Specific:

To provide the participants with a background knowledge and basic hands-
on experience in bioanalytical nanotechnology that is sufficient for them to
initiate their own research in this area.
To present a platform for the participants to interact with researchers who are
actively involved in research in the field of analytical nanotechnology.

Background and significance of the workshop

A need has been recognized in many spheres of human interest for chemical information. Chemical substances are used as markers for human health, environmental quality, food safety and agricultural productivity. Thus, low levels of proteins, genetic materials, carbohydrates and lipids are measured to diagnose, for instance, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disorders, among many others biomarkers. The presence of small amounts of hormones and toxins are used to indicate the contamination of environmental water systems and the safety of food products. The detection of metabolites of bacteria, fungi and viruses provide indicators for the productivity of agricultural systems and shelf life of the produce.

Nanotechnology has given rise to materials, tools and strategies for the detection and quantization of chemical substances. The unique optical, electrical and magnetic properties of materials with nano-dimensions enabled the development of novel analytical systems and methods. The innovations led to smaller sample requirements, simpler and faster procedures, higher sensitivity and lower detection limits.

Chemical sensors and biosensors comprise one area of bioanalaytical nanotechnology. The potential of these devices in the monitoring of environmental quality, agricultural productivity, food safety and public health was recognized.

The Bioanalytical Nanotechnology (BANT) School was initiated in 2011 at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila (Philippines) and inspired the conduct of the 2nd BANT School at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana in Mexico City (2013), and the 3rd BANT School (2014) in Manila again.

Activities

The intensive course will involve lectures (12 sessions of 45 minutes each) and practical work (3 sessions of 3-4 hours each) on the following topics:

• Biological and biomimetic recognition materials and separation systems: DNA, antibodies, enzymes, biomimetic compounds, and biological separations by magnetic particles.
• Bioanalytical nano building blocks: metal nanoparticles, quantum dots, carbon nanoparticles, nanobiocomposites, and magnetic nanoparticles.
• Bioelectroanalytical systems: electrochemical enzymosensors, genosensors and immunosensors, and other rapid diagnosis technologies for clinical applications and food analysis.

Languages: Portuguese, Spanish and English

Expected participants
The target participants are researchers from the university and government laboratories and graduate students. Due to the limited materials and equipment available for the practicum, only twenty-five (25) participants will be accepted for this intensive course. However, participation in the lecture sessions will be open to up to 40 participants.

Resource persons
The resource persons will include academic and research staff from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Spain, Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA) and Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil

The UAB, UFMA and UNESP staff who will be involved in the School are the following:

• Dr. Salvador Alegret, UAB
• M.Sc. Alejandra Ben Aissa, UAB
• Dr. Paulo Roberto Brasil de Oliveira Marques, UFMA
• M. Sc. Soledad Carinelli, UAB
• Dr. Maria Isabel Pividori, UAB
• Dr. Maria Pilar Taboada, UNESP
• Dr. Hideko Yamanaka, UNESP

4th BANT School chairperson

• Assoc. Prof. Maria-Isabel Pividori, UAB

4th BANT School Organizing Committee

• Assoc. Prof. Paulo Roberto Brasil de Oliveira Marques, UFMA, 4th BANT School local coordinator
• Assoc. Prof. Maria-Isabel Pividori, UAB, 4th BANT School chairperson
• Assoc. Prof. Gilvanda Silva Nunes, UFMA
• M.Sc. Laiane Araújo da Silva Souto, UFMA

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A four-day intensive course for researchers and graduate students featuring lectures and practicals on the theory and methods of the use of nanomaterials in bioelectroanalytical applications.

Date: 29 January to 1 February 2014

Organized by University of Santo Tomas, Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences

Venue: University of Santo Tomas,España Blvd., Manila

Contact person: Prof. Fortunato Sevilla III, Ph.D. Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas

Mail to: fbsevilla@mnl.ust.edu.ph

Collaborating institutions

• Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Spain
• Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology (ICN), Barcelona, Spain

Sponsors

Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD-DOST), Philippines

3rd BIOANALYTICAL NANOTECHNOLOGY SCHOOL

Objectives of the workshop                                                                                  

General:

To contribute to an increased research expertise in the field of bioanalytical
nanotechnology in the Philippines.

To promote the application of the techniques of bioanalytical nanotechnology
in solving problems involving food safety quality, environment protection and
management and health management in the Philippines.

Specific:

To provide the participants with a background knowledge on and basic hands-
on experience in bioanalytical nanotechnology that is sufficient for them to
initiate research in this area.

To present a platform for the participants to interact with researchers who are
actively involved in research in the field of analytical nanotechnology.

Background and significance of the workshop

A need has been recognized in many spheres of human interest for chemical information. Chemical substances are used as markers for human health, environmental quality, food safety and agricultural productivity. Thus, low levels of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids are measured to diagnose cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. The presence of small amounts of hormones and toxins are used to indicate the contamination of environmental water systems and the safety of food products. The detection of metabolites of bacteria, fungi and viruses provide indicators for the productivity of agricultural systems and shelf life of the produce.

Nanotechnology has given rise to materials, tools and strategies for the detection and quantization of chemical substances. The unique optical, electrical and magnetic properties of materials with nano-dimensions enabled the development of novel analytical systems and methods. The innovations led to smaller sample requirements, simpler and faster procedures, higher sensitivity and lower detection limits.

Chemical sensors and biosensors comprise one area of bioanalaytical nanotechnology. This research area has been cited as one of the priority field of development in the Philippine Roadmap for Nanotechnology. The potential of these devices in the monitoring of environmental quality, agricultural productivity, food safety and public health was recognized.

The Bioanalytical Nanotechnology (BANT) School was initiated in 2011 as a activity of the academic linkage between the University of Santo Tomas and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Spain). It was supported by the Department of Science and Technology through the Philippine Council for Advanced Science Research and Development (PCASTRD) and the Institut Català de Nanotecnologia, Barcelona (Spain). The success of the BANT School in the Philippines inspired the conduct of the  2nd Bioanalytical Nanotechnology School at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana in Mexico City, partially funded by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology.

Activities

The intensive course will involve lectures (12 sessions of 45 minutes each) and
practical work (4 sessions of 4 hours each) on the following topics:

• Bioanalytical nanotechnology.
• Biological recognition and separation systems: DNA, PCR, immunoassay, andbiological separations by magnetic particles.
• Bioanalytical nano building blocks: metal nanoparticles, quantum dots, carbon nanoparticles, catalytic nanoparticles, nanoparticles and nanochannels.
• Bioelectroanalytical systems: composite and biocomposite electrodes in electroanalytical procedures.
• Electrochemical genosensors and immunosensors for clinical applications and food analysis.

Expected participants 

The target participants are researchers from the university and government laboratories and graduate students. Due to the limited materials and equipment available for the practicum, only twenty-five (25) participants will be accepted for this intensive course. However, participation in the lecture sessions will be open to up to 40 participants.

Resource persons

The resource persons will include academic and research staff from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Spain, the Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology (ICN), Spain, and University of Santo Tomas (UST). The University of Santo Tomas has maintained a linkage with the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in the field of Chemical Sensors and Biosensors research and development for more than fifteen years.

The UAB and UST staff who will be involved in the School are the following:

• Dr. Dharmatov Rahula B. Albano, UST
• Dr. Salvador Alegret, UAB and UST
• Dr. Jose Bergantin, UST
• M. Sc. Delfina Brandão, UAB
• M. Sc. Reynaldo Bundalian, Jr., UAB
• M. Sc. Soledad Carinelli, UAB
• Dr. Susana Liebana, UAB
• Dr. Arben Merkoçi, ICN
• Dr. Maria Isabel Pividori, UAB
• Dr. Karen Santiago, UST
• Dr. Fortunato Sevilla III, UST

3rd BANT School chairpersons

• Assoc. Prof. Maria-Isabel Pividori, UAB
• Prof. Fortunato Sevilla III, UST

3rd BANT School Organizing Committee

• Prof. Salvador Alegret, UAB, UST
• Assoc. Prof. Jose Bergantin, UST, 3rd BANT School local coordinator
• Dr. Susana Liébana, UAB, 3rd BANT School local coordinator
• Prof. Arben Merkoçi, ICN
• Assoc. Prof. Maria-Isabel Pividori, UAB, 3rd BANT School co-chairperson
• Prof. Fortunato Sevilla III, UST, 3rd BANT School co-chairperson

2nd BIOANALYTICAL NANOTECHNOLOGY SCHOOL

ESCUELA DE NANOTECNOLOGÍA BIOANALÍTICA

Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Azcapotzalco
Ciudad de México, México, Octubre 2011

Escuela teórico-práctica avanzada sobre la utilización de nanomateriales en aplicaciones bioelectroanalíticas.

Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Azcapotzalco, Ciudad de México.

3-6 de Octubre de 2011.

Organización
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Azcapotzalco, México, en el marco del II Congreso Internacional de Docencia e Investigación en Química, que se llevará a cabo del 5 al 7 de Octubre de 2011.

Con el patrocinio de
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cataluña (España)

En colaboración con
Institut Català de Nanotecnologia (ICN), Cataluña ( España)

Comité organizador
Georgina Alarcón, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco.
Salvador Alegret, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
María Teresa Castañeda, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco.
Erasmo Flores, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco.
Francisco García Franco, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco.
Elizabeth Garfia, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco.
ArbenMerkoçi, Institut Català de Nanotecnologia, Bellaterra, España.

Coordinador de la Escuela
Erasmo Flores, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco.

Profesorado presencial
Dra. Georgina Alarcón, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco.
Dr. Salvador Alegret, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
Dra. María Teresa Castañeda, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco.
Dr. Alfredo de la Escosura, Institut Català de Nanotecnologia.
MSc. Tamara Laube, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
MSc. Susana Liébana, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
Dr. ArbenMerkoçi, InstitutCatalà de Nanotecnologia.
[Profesorado no presencial]
Dra. María Isabel Pividori, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
Dr. Manel del Valle, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

Director de la Escuela
Salvador Alegret, UniversitatAutònoma de Barcelona.

Antecedentes
Después de más de treinta años de experiencia acumulada por el Grupo de Sensores y Biosensores (GSB) de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, en la investigación y desarrollo de quimiosensores y biosensores electroquímicos y en la difusión internacional de la tecnología de construcción y fabricación de dichos dispositivos, a través de la bibliografía especializada y de cursos teórico-prácticos internacionales,  actualmente dichas actividades se han consolidado entorno de unos contenidos y de un cuerpo docente, mayoritariamente del campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, que configuran la BANT School (Bioanalytical NanotechnologySchool), la primera edición de la cual tuvo lugar en Manila, Filipinas (2011).

Contenidos teórico-prácticos sumarios
Nanotecnología bioanalítica. Sistemas biológicos: DNA, PCR, inmunoensayo y separaciones biológicas con partículas magnéticas. Sistemas bioelectroanalíticos: electrodos de compósito y biocompósito y su caracterización superficial. Bloques para armar nanosistemas bioanalíticos: nanopartículas metálicas, quantum dots, nanopartículas de carbono, nanopartículas catalíticas, nanocanales y nanopartículas biológicas. Aplicaciones en técnicas ópticas y electroquímicas. Inmunosensores y genosensores electroquímicos en análisis de alimentos: bacterias y residuos en alimentos.

Distribución lectiva
26 horas lectivas distribuidas en 4 sesiones prácticas de 3½ horas, 10 clases magistrales de 1 hora y ceremonias de apertura, clausura y entrega de diplomas.

Diplomas y acreditaciones
Acreditación discente (alumnos).
Diploma de reconocimiento (profesores e instituciones)

Evaluación
Encuesta de evaluación y satisfacción de la 2BANT (alumnado), realizada por el comité organizador.

Introduction

The field of bioanalytical nanotechnology has emerged as the potential of nanomaterials in the measurement of substances has been recognized. It has progressed rapidly in the recent years, and yielded novel analytical systems and methods.

An active area of interest in this field is the development of chemical sensors and biosensors based on nanomaterials. These devices have applied the unique optical and electrical properties of particles with nanometer dimensions to simplify and improve measurement procedures. These innovations have let to small sample quantity requirements, lowreagent consumption, short analysis time and increased analytical sensitivity As a result, measurements which were previously difficult to carry out have been made possible. Likewise, very low concentrations of substances can be detected and quantified.

Chemical sensors and biosensors have been cited as one of the priority field of development in the Philippine Roadmap for Nanotechnology. The potential of these devices in the monitoring of environmental quality, agricultural productivity, food safety and public health was recognized.

The Bioanalytical Nanotechnology (BANT) School was organized to provide the participants with a background knowledge on and basic hands-on experience in bioanalytical nanotechnology that is sufficient for them to initiate research in this area. It also aimed to present a platform for the participants to interact with researchers who are actively involved in research in the field of analytical nanotechnology.

The BANT School was held as part of the celebration of the Quadricentennial Anniversary of the University of Santo Tomas. It embodies the university’s mission of disseminating knowledge and encouraging the search for new knowledge.

Workshop date and venue

The BANT School was held on 31 January to 4 February 2011 at the University of Santo Tomas. The lecture sessions and the practicum sessions took place in the in Rogge Hall and Roque Science Laboratory, respectively, of the Graduate School.

Participants

There were thirty-four (34) participants in the BANT School. The participants came mostly from the Luzon area, but there were a number of participants who were from the Mindanao region. A directory of the participants is presented in Table 1.

Eleven (11) of the participants were faculty members and students from universities, such as the Ateneo de Manila University, Caraga State University (Butuan City), University of the Immaculate Conception (Davao City), University of the Philippines Diliman, University of the Philippines Los Baños (Laguna), University of Santo Tomas and Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro City). Thirteen participants were from government agencies, such as the DA – Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, DOST- Industrial Technology Development Institute and DOST – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technologies Research and Development. There were two participants from the industrial sector, namely; United Laboratories and St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Resource persons

The resource persons for the BANT School were from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, which has an active linkage programme with the University of Santo Tomas. The lecture staff involved faculty members and researchers belonging to the Sensors & Biosensors Group of the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona:
• Professor Salvador Alegret
• Professor Arben Markoci
• Associate Professor Manel del Valle
• Dr. Alfredo de la Escosura
• Ms. Tamara Laube
• Ms. Susana Liebana

Annex 2 presents a brief biosketch of the resource persons.
Programme of activities

The BANT School featured twelve (12) lectures and four (4) practicum sessions. The lecture sessions were held in the morning, and the practicum sessions took place in the afternoon.

The lectures covered the properties of nanoparticles and their applications in chemical sensors and biosensors. The practicum involved laboratory activities which featured the use of nanomaterials in conjunction with chemical and biochemical reagents for chemical measurement. A compact and portable model of a volatmmetric analyzer was introduced and used in the experiments.

The program of activities in the symposium are presented in Annex 3. Some photographs of the symposium activities are given in Annex 4.
Conference feedback

At the start of the school, 75% of the participants described their knowledge about bioanalytical nanotechnology either as poor or fair. At the end of the week, none of the participants felt that their knowledge about the topic as poor or fair. All of the participants assessed their familiarity with the topic from good to excellent. Almost all of them felt that they can put into practice in their home institution what they learned from this short course, particularly as a research area. Annex 5 presents the collated output of the evaluation of the activity.

A highlight of the course is the practicum sessions which were held in the afternoon. The large size of the class (32 participants) posed a difficulty in carrying out the practicum. The resource persons worked out an optimum arrangement by dividing the participants into three to 4 groups, such that each group would have 8 to 10 members. The activities were conducted in such a way that each member in the group will have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience on the techniques being taught.

Based on the responses in the evaluation, the participants greatly appreciated the BANT school and many rated it as excellent. They were unanimous in rating the resource speakers as either very good or excellent. All the participants described the course content, the sequence of the topics and the course materials as good to excellent.