Methods and Concepts in Molecular Life Sciences

About this programme

The course introduces central methods and concepts in molecular life sciences, with a focus on how experimental techniques are used to investigate biological mechanisms from the molecular to the organismal level. Students are introduced to both classical and modern approaches in molecular biology, genetics, and systems biology, including techniques for the analysis of DNA, RNA, and proteins, as well as advanced microscopy and high-throughput technologies such as sequencing and omics-based analyses. Furthermore the course describes the theoretical foundations and research applications of several methods, covering several model species (c. elegans, flies and yeast), but also more human organoids. During the lab exercise, the students isolate yeast strains resistant to a fungal drug, extract and sequence the DNA of their own yeast mutant using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Moreover, under the close supervision of computational tutors the students perform advanced bioinformatics to identify and characterize the mutations of their particular yeast strain. This year, the course also includes three sessions of critical analysis of scientific literature in order to address biological research questions. The course contains lectures by active researchers on modern concepts and methods in Life Sciences, group discussions of methods, presentations of key papers and a practical project that includes mutation screening and bioinformatics. A list of the learning outcomes can be found in the syllabus. Please find the link to the syllabus on the right side of this page.