Lectures: 12 h - Tutorials: 5 h

Objectives

Understanding of state-of-the art methods in biotechnology and their application for fundamental and applied research.

Syllabus

The lectures will cover state-of-the-art recombinant DNA techniques, including:

• amplification
  
• cloning
  
• synthesis
  
• sequencing (including next-generation sequencing)
  
• mutagenesis (directed and random)
  
• recombination
  
• targeted genome editing (e.g. using CRISPR/Cas9)
  
• overexpression of recombinant proteins
  
• screening and selection
  
• directed evolution

These techniques will be exemplified by presenting a number of important applications of molecular biotechnology:

• protein engineering for fundamental studies and industrial applications of enzymes
  
• protein engineering for therapeutic applications (e.g. therapeutic antibodies)
  
• engineering of diagnostic systems
  
• engineering of vaccines

Tutorials

Assistance with group projects to prepare a short educational course (Powerpoint) to be presented to the rest of the class (15 min presentation + 5 min for questions).

Requirements : Basic knowledge of biochemistry/molecular biology.

Evaluation mechanism : Two hour written exam (70% of marks) + group project (30% of marks).

Last Modification : Monday 12 June 2017