Biology for Engineers (BBOK407)

Biology for Engineers

Course Code: BBOK407
CIE Marks: 50
SEE Marks: 50
Total Hours of Pedagogy: 15 hour Theory Session + 15 hour Self study
Total Marks: 100
Credits: 01
Exam Hours: 01 Hour
Examination type (SEE): SEE paper shall be set for 50 questions, each of the 01 mark. The pattern of the question paper is MCQ (multiple choice questions).

Module 1

INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY:
The cell: the basic unit of life, Structure and functions of a cell. The Plant Cell and animal cell, Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cell, Stem cells and their application. Biomolecules: Properties and functions of Carbohydrates, Nucleic acids, proteins, lipids. Importance of special biomolecules; Enzymes (Classification (with one example each), Properties and functions), vitamins and hormones.

Module 2

BIOMOLECULES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS (QUALITATIVE):
Carbohydrates (cellulose-based water filters, PHA and PLA as bioplastics), Nucleic acids (DNA Vaccine for Rabies and RNA vaccines for Covid-19, Forensics – DNA fingerprinting), Proteins (Proteins as food – whey protein and meat analogs, Plant-based proteins), lipids (biodiesel, cleaning agents/detergents), Enzymes (glucose-oxidase in biosensors, lignolytic enzyme in bio-bleaching).

Module 3

HUMAN ORGAN SYSTEMS AND BIO DESIGNS (QUALITATIVE):
Brain as a CPU system (architecture, CNS and Peripheral Nervous System, signal transmission, EEG, Robotic arms for prosthetics. Engineering solutions for Parkinson’s disease). Eye as a Camera system (architecture of rod and cone cells, optical corrections, cataract, lens materials, bionic eye). Heart as a pump system (architecture, electrical signalling - ECG monitoring and heart-related issues, reasons for blockages of blood vessels, design of stents, pacemakers, defibrillators). Lungs as purification system (architecture, gas exchange mechanisms, spirometry, abnormal lung physiology - COPD, Ventilators, Heart-lung machine). Kidney as a filtration system (architecture, mechanism of filtration, CKD, dialysis systems).

Module 4

NATURE-BIOINSPIRED MATERIALS AND MECHANISMS (QUALITATIVE):
Echolocation (ultrasonography, sonars), Photosynthesis (photovoltaic cells, bionic leaf). Bird flying (GPS and aircrafts), Lotus leaf effect (Super hydrophobic and self-cleaning surfaces), Plant burrs (Velcro), Shark skin (Friction reducing swim suits), Kingfisher beak (Bullet train). Human Blood substitutes - hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) and perflourocarbons (PFCs).

Module 5

TRENDS IN BIOENGINEERING (QUALITATIVE):
Muscular and Skeletal Systems as scaffolds (architecture, mechanisms, bioengineering solutions for muscular dystrophy and osteoporosis), scaffolds and tissue engineering, Bioprinting techniques and materials, 3D printing of ear, bone and skin. 3D printed foods. Electrical tongue and electrical nose in food science, DNA origami and Biocomputing, Bioimaging and Artificial Intelligence for disease diagnosis. Self-healing Bioconcrete (based on bacillus spores, calcium lactate nutrients and biomineralization processes) and Bioremediation and Biomining via microbial surface adsorption (removal of heavy metals like Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Arsenic).

Suggested Learning Resources:

• Biology for Engineers, Rajendra Singh C and Rathnakar Rao N, Bengaluru, 2023
• Human Physiology, Stuart Fox, Krista Rompolski, McGraw-Hill eBook. 16th Ed, 2022
• Biology for Engineers, Thyagarajan S. et al., Tata McGraw-Hill, 2012
• Biology for Engineers, Arthur T. Johnson, CRC Press, 2011
• Biomedical Instrumentation, Leslie Cromwell, Prentice Hall, 2011
• Biology for Engineers, Sohini Singh and Tanu Allen, Vayu Education, 2014
• Biomimetics: Nature-Based Innovation, Yoseph Bar-Cohen, CRC Press, 2012
• Bio-Inspired Artificial Intelligence, D. Floreano and C. Mattiussi, MIT Press, 2008
• Bioremediation of heavy metals, C R Sunilkumar et al., Lambert Academic, 2019
• 3D Bioprinting, Ibrahim Ozbolat, Academic Press, 2016
• Electronic Noses and Tongues in Food Science, Maria Rodriguez Mende, Academic Press, 2016

Web links and Video Lectures (e-Resources):

• https://nptel.ac.in/courses/121106008
• https://freevideolectures.com/course/4877/nptel-biology-engineers-other-non-biologists
• https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/20-020-introduction-to-biological-engineering-design-spring-2009
• https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/20-010j-introduction-to-bioengineering-be-010j-spring-2006
• https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=biology
• https://onlinecourses.nptel.ac.in/noc19_ge31/preview
• https://www.classcentral.com/subject/biology
• https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/biology-basic-concepts