ATTENTION: the lecture starts at exactly 08.00 am. The lecture will be held either in Zurich or Basel and will be transmitted via videoconference to the second location.
Theoretical & practical introduction into the design of dynamic biological systems at different levels of abstraction, ranging from biological fundamentals of systems design (introduction to bacterial gene regulation, elements of transcriptional & translational control, advanced genetic engineering) to engineering design principles (standards, abstractions) mathematical modelling & systems desig
Learning objective
After the course, students will be able to theoretically master the biological and engineering fundamentals required for biological design to be able to participate in the international iGEM competition.
Content
The overall goal of the course is to familiarize the students with the potential, the requirements and the problems of designing dynamic biological elements that are of central importance for manipulating biological systems, primarily (but not exclusively) prokaryotic systems. Next, the students will be taken through a number of successful examples of biological design, such as toggle switches, pulse generators, and oscillating systems, and apply the biological and engineering fundamentals to these examples, so that they get hands-on experience on how to integrate the various disciplines on their way to designing biological systems.
Lecture notes
Handouts during classes.
Literature
Mark Ptashne, A Genetic Switch (3rd ed), Cold Spring Haror Laboratory Press Uri Alon, An Introduction to Systems Biology, Chapman & Hall
The performance assessment is offered every session. Repetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit.
Mode of examination
written 120 minutes
Additional information on mode of examination
Compulsory continuous performance assessment: Group literature presentation The student’s group literature presentation will be graded and must be passed on its own (pass/fail). Students who do not pass the assignment are required to de-register from the exam and will otherwise be treated as a no show. Written exam of 120 min covering questions regarding the fundamentals and details of the covered material and its application in biological systems design.
Written aids
Pocket calculator
This information can be updated until the beginning of the semester; information on the examination timetable is binding.
Learning materials
No public learning materials available.
Only public learning materials are listed.
Groups
No information on groups available.
Restrictions
There are no additional restrictions for the registration.
Performance assessment as a semester course