Experimental Biophotonics (FSI-TEB-A)

Academic year 2026/2027
Supervisor: doc. Ing. Daniel Zicha, CSc.  
Supervising institute: ÚFI all courses guaranted by this institute
Teaching language: English
Aims of the course unit:
 
Learning outcomes and competences:
 
Prerequisites:
 
Course contents:

Basics of biophotonics including principles of light microscopy, fluorescence, confocal microscopy, quantitative phase imaging especially in holographic microscopy, and polarization microscopy. Basics of cell biology in vitro: structure and functions of the cell; isolation of cells from multicellular organisms and their maintenance in vitro; mastering the specialty of preparation of live cells for microscopy observations. Protocols of in vitro investigations of cell behavior. The role of light microscopy techniques for the study of live cells in vitro:

Applications in neurosciences and cancer research.

Demonstrations and practical sections in the laboratory.

This 2/3-day course is also an introduction to the Biophotoniics Core Facility.
Teaching methods and criteria:
 
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes:
 
Controlled participation in lessons:
 
Type of course unit:
    Lecture  3 × 2 hrs. optionally                  
    Laboratory exercise  3 × 1 hrs. compulsory                  
Course curriculum:
    Lecture

Basic principles of light microscopy for biology
Cell biology and preparation of samples for microscopy
Interferometry and holographic microscopy
Fluorescence, confocal and 2-photon microscopy
Applications in tumor and cell biology
Polarization microscopy and imaging of extracellular matrix
    Laboratory exercise Lecture themes are developed by laboratory demonstrations and laboratory work of students.
Literature - fundamental:
1. B. Alberts et al.: Molecular Biology of the Cell, 5th Ed. Garland Science, 2007.
2. D. Bray: Cell Movements: From Molecules to Motility. Garland Science 2000.
3. D. E. Chandler, R. W. Robertson: Bioimaging. Jones & Bartlett, Boston 2009.
4. A. R. Hibbs: Confocal Microscopy for Biologists. Springer, 2004.
Literature - electronic:
5. http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
6. http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/cell_bio.html
7. http://biology.about.com/od/cellbiology/a/cellbiology.htm
8. http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/
The study programmes with the given course:
Programme Study form Branch Spec. Final classification   Course-unit credits     Obligation     Level     Year     Semester  
N-FIN-P full-time study --- no specialisation -- Col 3 Elective 2 1 W
N-PMO-P full-time study --- no specialisation -- Col 3 Elective 2 1 W