Kaspar Locher: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2018 |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Kaspar Locher |
| Field | Molecular Membrane Biology |
| Address | Inst. f. Molekularbiol.u.Biophysik ETH Zürich, HPK G 11 Otto-Stern-Weg 5 8093 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 633 39 91 |
| locher@mol.biol.ethz.ch | |
| URL | http://www.locherlab.ethz.ch |
| Department | Biology |
| Relationship | Full Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 551-1323-AAL | Fundamentals of Biology II: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement. Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit. | 4 credits | 11R | K. Locher, N. Ban, R. Glockshuber, E. Weber-Ban | |
| Abstract | The course provides an introduction to Biochemistry / Molecular Biology with some emphasis on chemical and biophysical aspects. | ||||
| Learning objective | Topics include the structure-function relationship of proteins / nucleic acids, protein folding, enzymatic catalysis, cellular pathways involved in bioenergetics and the biosynthesis and breakdown of amino acids, glycans, nucleotides, fatty acids and phospholipids, and steroids. There will also be a discussion of DNA replication and repair, transcription, and translation. | ||||
| Lecture notes | none | ||||
| Literature | "Biochemistry", Berg/Tymoczko/Stryer, 8th edition, Palgrave Macmillan, International edition | ||||
| 551-1412-00L | Molecular and Structural Biology IV: Visualizing Macromolecules by X-ray Crystallography and EM | 4 credits | 2V | N. Ban, D. Böhringer, T. Ishikawa, M. A. Leibundgut, K. Locher, M. Pilhofer, K. Wüthrich | |
| Abstract | This course provides an in-depth discussion of two main methods to determine the 3D structures of macromolecules and complexes at high resolution: X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. Both techniques result in electron density maps that are interpreted by atomic models. | ||||
| Learning objective | Students will obtain the theoretical background to understand structure determination techniques employed in X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy, including diffraction theory, crystal growth and analysis, reciprocal space calculations, interpretation of electron density, structure building and refinement as well as validation. The course will also provide an introduction into the use of cryo-electron tomography to visualize complex cellular substructures at sub-nanometer resolutions, effectively bridging the resolution gap between optical microscopy and single particle cryo-electron microscopy. Lectures will be complemented with practical sessions where students will have a chance to gain hands on experience with sample preparation, data processing and structure building and refinement. | ||||
| 551-1556-00L | Macromolecular Structure Determination Using Modern Methods  Number of participants limited to 11 in the 3rd semester quarter of the spring semester Number of participants limited to 12 in the 4th semester quarter of the spring semester The enrolment is done by the D-BIOL study administration. | 6 credits | 7G | K. Locher, G. Schertler | |
| Abstract | This course will familiarize the students with techniques used for the and structural characterization of biological macromolecules. The students will carry out many of the steps involved in high resolution structure determination using X-ray crystallography as the main technique. | ||||
| Learning objective | The course aims at introducing the principles of protein X-ray crystallography and related modern techniques (e.g. FEL-based crystallography). Students will get an opportunity to conduct hands-on experiments and also use computational techniques. | ||||
| Content | Students will crystallize a protein, collect X-ray diffraction data using an in-house or synchrotron X-ray source, analyze and process this data, and build an atomic model into an electron density map. They will refine this model and interpret and illustrate the determined structure. The course also includes a demonstration of the Synchrotron capabilities at the Paul Scherrer Institute (SLS). | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The students will be split into two groups for the practical part of the work: One group will work at ETH Honggerberg, the other at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) at Villigen. All students will spend one full day at the PSI for a tour of the facilities, including a visit of the synchrotron beam lines of the Swiss Light Source SLS. | ||||
| 551-1620-00L | Molecular Biology, Biophysics | 1 credit | 1K | R. Glockshuber, F. Allain, N. Ban, K. Locher, E. Weber-Ban, K. Wüthrich | |
| Abstract | The course consists of a series of research seminars on Structural Biology and Biophysics, given by both scientists of the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) in Structural Biology and external speakers. | ||||
| Learning objective | The goal of this course is to provide doctoral and postdoctoral students with a broad overview on the most recent developments in biochemistry, structural biology and biophysics. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Information on the individual seminars is provided on the following websites: http://www.structuralbiology.unizh.ch/events005.asp http://www.biol.ethz.ch/dbiol-cal/index | ||||