Nenad Ban: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2023

Name Prof. Dr. Nenad Ban
FieldMolekulare Strukturbiologie
Address
Inst. f. Molekularbiol.u.Biophysik
ETH Zürich, HPK H 3
Otto-Stern-Weg 5
8093 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 633 27 85
Fax+41 44 633 12 46
E-mailban@mol.biol.ethz.ch
DepartmentBiology
RelationshipFull Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
551-0125-00LFundamentals of Biology I: From Molecules to the Biochemistry of Cells6 credits5GJ. Vorholt-Zambelli, N. Ban, R. Glockshuber, K. Locher, J. Piel
AbstractThe lecture provides an introduction to the basics of biochemistry and molecular biology as well as evolutionary principles. The focus is on bacteria and archaea under consideration of universal concepts.
Learning objectiveIntroduction to biochemistry, molecular biology and evolutionary principles
ContentThe lecture introduces biology as an interdisciplinary science. Links to physics and chemistry will manifest as biological processes that operate within the laws of thermodynamics and are rooted in elements, molecules and chemical reactions. The transition from geochemistry to biochemistry is discussed and considered in relation to the origin of life. Evolutionary principles are introduced and resulting processes are used as a guiding principle. Unifying concepts in biology are presented, including the structure and function of cellular macromolecules and the ways in which hereditary information is encoded, decoded and replicated. Central principles of universal energy conversion are looked at, starting from redox processes and focusing on bacteria and archaea. Finally, biological processes are put into an ecosystems perspective.

The lecture is divided into different sections:
1. Geochemical perspectives on Earth and introduction to evolution
2. Building blocks of life
3. Macromolecules: Proteins
4. Membranes and transport across the plasma membrane
5. Universal mechanisms of inheritance, transcription and translation
6. Reaction Kinetics, binding equilibria and enzymatic catalysis
7. Essentials of Catabolism
8. Essentials of Anabolism
9. Metabolism and biogeochemical cycling of elements
Lecture notesThe newly conceived lecture is supported by scripts.
LiteratureThe lecture is supported by scripts.
The lecture contains elements of "Brock Biology of Microorganisms", Madigan et al. 15th edition, Pearson und "Biochemistry" (Stryer), Berg et al. 9th edition, Macmillan international.
CompetenciesCompetencies
Subject-specific CompetenciesConcepts and Theoriesassessed
Techniques and Technologiesassessed
Method-specific CompetenciesAnalytical Competenciesassessed
Problem-solvingfostered
Personal CompetenciesCritical Thinkingfostered
Self-awareness and Self-reflection fostered
551-1407-00LRNA Biology Lecture Series I: Transcription & Processing & Translation
Does not take place this semester.
4 credits2VF. Allain, N. Ban, S. Jonas, U. Kutay, further lecturers
AbstractThis course covers aspects of RNA biology related to gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. These include RNA transcription, processing, alternative splicing, editing, export and translation.
Learning objectiveThe students should obtain an understanding of these processes, which are at work during gene expression.
ContentTranscription & 3'end formation ; splicing, alternative splicing, RNA editing; the ribosome & translation, translation regulation, RNP biogenesis & nuclear export, mRNA surveillance & mRNA turnover; signal transduction & RNA.
Prerequisites / NoticeBasic knowledge of cell and molecular biology.