Gene regulation

Course goals

Learning goals
At the end of the course, you will be able to:

• describe components involved in gene regulation
• understand molecular processes that regulate gene activity
• understand the contribution of DNA sequence, chromatin, and epigenetic modifications to gene regulation
• understand gene regulation in the context of nuclear organisation and chromatin
• understand and evaluate quantitative methods in the field of gene regulation, and interpret the data generated using these methods
• understand how aspects of gene regulation have evolved
• explore genome-wide data sets and understand the basics of analysing them
• read, analyse, present, and discuss scientific literature in English

Skills
 

Skills	Part of the course?	Explicitely examined?
Writing
Presenting	X	X
Data handling	X
Practical research skills
General research skills	X
Co-operation	X
Critical thinking	X	X
Career orientation
Interdisciplinarity

 

Content

Entry requirements
Recommended courses for Gene regulation (not required!): Molecular biology (B-B1MB05), Genomica (B-B1GENO20), and/or Molecular genetic research techniques (B-B2MGOT14) will provide a good foundation.

Study path
Developmental biology. Also recommended for Cell Biology and Plant Biology.

Language
Content, course, literature seminar, and exams will be in English

Content description
Selective readout of genetic information is the basis of cellular identity and cellular specialisation in higher organisms. The resulting gene expression programs produce a multitude of cell types with distinct morphological and physiological properties, all starting from the same genetic blueprint. Failure to regulate or maintain gene expression has detrimental outcomes during development, leads to loss of cellular identity, and has severe consequences for organism health.

The curriculum emphasises an in depth understanding of gene regulation in different organisms, with focus on the underlying molecular mechanisms, their relevance for developmental and disease-related processes. The course will also introduce students to basic analysis of high-throughput transcription and epigenomics data and newest genome engineering approaches to manipulate and study gene regulation.

Educational forms
Lectures, tutorials, computer data analysis, literature seminar (presentations)

Grading
To pass this course, a minimum of 5.5 is mandatory. The final grade is calculated by the following components:

• Digital exam 1:                  42.5%
• Digital exam 2:                  42.5%
• Literature seminar presentations:    15%

A minimal grade of 5.0 on each exam and presentation, and an average grade of 5.5 for both exams, are required to pass the course. Admission to a retake is possible if the final grade is lower than 5.5 and at least 4, or if a test is missed due to force majeure, and if mandatory components have been met. Attendance at the journal club presentations and completion of the computer class assignment is mandatory.

Study material
Study material will be provided throughout the course and via Brightspace.