Bioelectrochemistry

3-0-6 units · Graduate

Provides an overview of electrochemistry as it relates to biology, with an emphasis on electron transport in living systems. Primary literature used as a guide for discussion. Objective is to enable students to learn the fundamental principles of electrochemistry and electrochemical engineering applied to biological systems, explore the role of electron transfer in the natural world using examples from the primary literature, analyze recent work related to bioelectrochemistry, and develop an original research proposal based on course material. Topics include thermodynamics and transport processes in bioelectrical systems, electron transport chains in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, electroanalytical techniques for the evaluation of biological systems, and engineering bioenergetic systems.