Functional analysis of genes: from the design to the living system (FDBS), 5 ECTS, total teaching hours 30 + 4 for literature theme presentations by MSc students + >6 for familiarization with experimental manipulations and calculations in the laboratory
Aims: Understanding of modern research strategies through paradigms of development of molecular tools, model study systems and integrated analysis of important reference proteins, and familiarization with computational and wet-lab experimental methods.
Sections:
[1] Gene delineation, manipulation, and expression
[2] Protein function and interactions
[3] Model organisms
[4] Familiarization with computational methods
Themes taught and (approximate) duration:
a) Gene delineation, manipulation, and expression
Genetic and genomic engineering (2h), Mutagenesis designs (2h), Genome editing by CRISPR-Cas9 technology (2h). Experimental design of a mutagenesis project (2h).
b) Protein function and interactions
Functional analysis of proteins: Identification and qualitative characterization of protein interactions (2h), Quantitative analysis of protein interactions (2h), Experimental design of a protein interactions study (2h). Holistic approaches to protein analysis-Proteomics (3h), Principles of microscopy – applications to biological research (2h), Structure, dynamics and molecular basis of protein function: applications to rational drug design (2h).
c) Model organisms
Model organisms: Zebrafish in biological research (2h), The yeast genetic model (2h), The Drosophila genetic model (2h), The mouse as a model in biomedical research (2h).
d) Familiarization with computational methods
Bioinformatic analysis of biological data (2h), Statistical analysis of experimental data (2h)..