Eukaryotic cell biology

• Name the fundamental cellular structures and explain their organization.
• Use key features of protein transport in eukaryotic cells to propose a strategy for protein export.
• Explain DNA synthesis and maintenance as well as chromosome segregation in mitotic and meiotic cells.
• Use Mendelian and non-Mendelian genetics to predict patterns of inheritance.
• Predict how defects in the eukaryotic cell cycle affect the cell.
• Explain how defects in cellular processes may underlie human disease.
• Perform simple calculations based on data derived from biological systems.
• Analyze and interpret experimental results in the context of the course curriculum.
• Evaluate and choose among different molecular biology/biochemistry techniques/approaches for attaining a specified experimental goal.

The course focuses on molecular genetics, molecular biology and cell biology. A wide range of molecular processes like DNA replication, repair and recombination, transcription, translation, post-translational modifications, protein sorting and cell cycle control will be covered. For simplicity, these topics will initially be described individually and for single cell organisms like yeasts. However, during the course, complexity will gradually increase as we will see how these processes occur in complex multicellular eukaryotes, and how their actions are coordinated via global regulatory networks, for example by signal transduction pathways. In the end, this knowledge will allow us to discuss topics like developmental biology and the molecular biology of cancer. Two recurrent motifs will be highlighted throughout the course: understanding the interconnectedness of physiological processes within the cell, and devising strategies to intervene in these complex processes, either to manipulate a production/model-organism or to develop a cure for a human disease.

27022/27026, Knowledge of the methods and paradigms in molecular microbiology to follow a discussion amongst professionals and read relevant literature. Basic knowledge of experimental molecular microbiology.

Lectures and exercises