Anton Wutz: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2020

Name	Prof. Dr. Anton Wutz
Field	Genetics
Address	Inst. f. Molecular Health Sciences ETH Zürich, HPL E 12 Otto-Stern-Weg 7 8093 Zürich SWITZERLAND
Telephone	+41 44 633 08 48
E-mail	awutz@ethz.ch
Department	Biology
Relationship	Full Professor

Number	Title	ECTS	Hours	Lecturers
551-0102-01L	Fundamentals of Biology I Registrations via myStudies until 29.1.2020 at the latest. Subsequent registrations will not be considered.	6 credits	8P	M. Gstaiger, M. Kopf, R. Kroschewski, M. Künzler, S. L. Masneuf, D. Ramseier, M. Stoffel, E. B. Truernit, A. Wutz
Abstract	This 1st year Laboratory course introduces the student to the entire range of classical and modern molecular biosciences. During this course (Praktikum GL BioI) the students will do three praktikum days in: - Biochemistry - Cell Biology I - Microbiology - Plant Anantomy & Ecology (total of 12 experiments) Each experiment takes one full day.
Learning objective	Introduction to theoretical and experimental biology General Praktikum-information and course material can be obtained from Moodle The general Praktikum information (Assignment list, Instructions and Schedule & Performance Sheet) will also be sent to the students directly (E-mail).
Content	The class is divided into four blocks: Biochemistry, Microbiology, Plant biology & Ecology and Cell Biology I. BIOCHEMISTRY: - TAQ Analysis (part 1): Protein purification - TAQ Analysis (part 2): SDS-Gelelektrophoresis - TAQ Analysis (part 3): Activity test of the purified protein MICROBIOLOGY: Day 1: Basics for the work with microorganisms & Isolation of microorganisms from the environment Day 2: Morphology and diagnostics of bacteria & Antimicrobial agents Day 3: Morphology of fungi & Microbial physiology and interactions PLANT BIOLOGY & ECOLOGY - Microscopy and plant cell anatomy - Plant organ anatomy and gene expression - Ecology CELL BIOLOGY I: - Anatomy of mouse & Blood cell determination - Histology - Chromosome preparation and analysis
Lecture notes	Laboratory manuals BIOCHEMISTRY: - The protocols can be downloaded from: Moodle MICROBIOLOGY: - The protocols can be found from: Moodle - You HAVE TO print the pdf-file, which is also used as the lab manual during the experiments. Therefore, you have to have the Script always with you, when doing the experiments in Microbiology. PLANT BIOLOGY & ECOLOGY: - The protocols can be found from: Moodle CELL BIOLOGY I: - The handouts of the experiments entitled "Histology" will be provided - The protocols of "Anatomy of mouse & Blood cell determination" and "Chromosome preparation and analysis" can be found from: Moodle
Literature	None
Prerequisites / Notice	PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING RULES Your attendance is obligatory and you have to attend all 12 Praktikum days of GL BioI. Absences are only acceptable if you are able to provide a Doctor’s certificate. The original Dr's certificate has to be given to Dr. M. Gstaiger (HPM F43) within five days of the absence of the Praktikum day. If there will be any exceptional or important situations then you should directly contact the Director of Studies of D-Biol, who will decide if you are allowed to miss a Praktikum day or not. HIGHLY IMPORTANT!! 1. Due to the increased number of students, the official Praktikum registration has to be done, using myStudies, preferably at the end of HS19 but not later than Thursday January 30, 2020. 2. Later registration is NOT possible and can NOT be accepted! 3. The course registration for FS2020 is usually possible at the end of fall semester 2019 and you will obtain an E-mail from the Rectorate when the course registration using myStudies is possible. Students can register for a practice group via myStudies. As soon as the course unit is registered in myStudies, a text box appears indicating that a group can be selected. Accordingly, students can select a group in the next step. If more than 240 students register, the surplus students will be placed on a waiting list and then allocated by the course responsible. Extra Praktikum days have to be organized if more than 220 - 240 students will attend the Praktikum. The group division is random and the reserved Extra Praktikum days are: 3.6 / 4.6 / 5.6 The Praktikum GL BioI will take place during the following days and therefore, you have to make sure already now that you will not have any other activities / commitments during these days: PRAKTIKUM DAYS FS20 (Thursdays): 20.2. / 27.2. / 5.3. / 12.3. / 19.3. / 26.3. / 2.4. / 23.4. / 30.4. / 7.5. / 14.5. / 28.5 No Praktikum during the Easter vacation: 9.4.-17.4. 2020 EXTRA PRAKTIKUM DAYS (if necessary) 3.6 / 4.6 / 5.6
551-0106-00L	Fundamentals of Biology IB	5 credits	5G	A. Wutz, J. Alexander, O. Y. Martin, E. B. Truernit, S. Wielgoss, S. C. Zeeman
Abstract	This course is an introduction into the basic principles of evolution, diversity, animal/plant form and function, and ecology.
Learning objective	Introduction into aspects of modern biology and fundamental biological concepts.
Content	The course is divided into distinct chapters 1. Mechanisms of evolution. 2. The evolutionary history of biological diversity (bacteria and archea, protists, plants and animals). 3. Plant form and function (growth and development, nutrient and resource acquisition, reproduction and environmental responses). 4. Animal form and function (nutrition, immune system, hormones, reproduction, nervous system and behaviour). 5. Ecology (population ecology, community ecology, ecosystems and conservation ecology).
Lecture notes	No script
Literature	This course is based on the textbook 'Biology' (Campbell, Reece, 9th edition). The structure of the course follows that of the book. It is recommended to purchase the English version.
Prerequisites / Notice	Part of the contents of the book need to be learned through independent study.
551-0140-00L	Epigenetics	4 credits	2V	A. Wutz, U. Grossniklaus, R. Paro, R. Santoro
Abstract	Epigenetics studies the inheritance of traits that cannot be attributed to changes in the DNA sequence. The lecture will present an overview of different epigenetic phenomena and provide detailed insight into the underlying molecular mechanisms. The role of epigenetic processes in the development of cancer and other disorders will be discussed.
Learning objective	The aim of the course is to gain an understanding of epigenetic mechanisms and their impact on the development of organisms, regenerative processes or manifestation of disease.
Content	Topics - historical overview, concepts and comparison Genetics vs. Epigenetics - Biology of chromatin: structure and function, organization in the nucleus and the role of histone modifications in processes like transcription and replication - DNA methylation as an epigenetic modification - Inheritance of epigenetic modifications during cell division: cellular memory - Stability and reversibility of epigenetic modifications: cellular plasticity and stem cells - Genomic imprinting in plants and mammals - X chromosome inactivation and dosis compensation - position effects, paramutations and transvection - RNA-induced gene silencing - The role of epigenetic processes in cancer development or cell aging
551-0326-00L	Cell Biology	6 credits	4V	S. Werner, M. Bordoli, W. Kovacs, M. Schäfer, U. Suter, A. Wutz
Abstract	This Course introduces principle concepts, techniques, and experimental strategies used in modern Cell Biology. Major topics include: neuron-glia interactions in health and disease; mitochondrial dynamics; stem cell biology; growth factor action in development, tissue repair and disease; cell metabolism, in particular sensing and signaling mechanisms, cell organelles, and lipid metabolism.
Learning objective	-To prepare the students for successful and efficient lab work by learning how to ask the right questions and to use the appropriate techniques in a research project. -To convey knowledge about neuron-glia interactions in health and disease. - To provide information on different types of stem cells and their function in health and disease -To provide information on growth factor signaling in development, repair and disease and on the use of growth factors or their receptors as drug targets for major human diseases -To convey knowledge on the mechanisms underlying repair of injured tissues -To provide the students with an overview of mitochondrial dynamics. -Providing an understanding of RNA processing reactions and their regulations. -To provide a comprehensive understanding of metabolic sensing mechanisms occurring in different cell types and organelles in response to glucose, hormones, oxygen, nutrients as well as lipids, and to discuss downstream signaling pathways and cellular responses. -To provide models explaining how disturbances in complex metabolic control networks and bioenergetics can lead to disease and to highlight latest experimental approaches to uncover the intricacies of metabolic control at the cellular and organismal level. -Providing the background and context that foster cross-disciplinary scientific thinking.
551-1298-00L	Genetics, Genomics, Bioinformatics	4 credits	2V + 2U	E. Hafen, C. Beyer, B. Christen, U. K. Genick, J. Piel, R. Schlapbach, G. Schwank, S. Sunagawa, K. Weis, A. Wutz
Abstract	The course provides the basis of modern genetics, genomics and bioinformatics. A special focus is placed on the use of these tools for the understanding of biological processes in bacteria, model organisms and humans. The unit uses the principle of blended learning consisting of self-study modules in Moodle, tasks and input lectures by experts from the department.
Learning objective	At the end of this course you know the most important genetic tools in different organisms. You can use the essential methods in bioinformatics by using online tools. You know the advantages and disadvantages of various model organisms to understand biological processes. You know the various mutagenesis methods and other tools to disrupt gene function and can discuss their merits and drawbacks. You are aware of the difficulties in choosing a phenotype for selection in a mutagenesis experiment. Finally, you can describe how you would study a specific biological process by choosing a model organism and the appropriate genetic or genomic tools.
Content	The appearance and function of an organism (phenotype) is determined by the interplay between its genome (genotype) and the environment: Genotype + environment = phenotype. Understanding these interactions to the point where we can ultimately predict the phenotype from knowledge of the genotype and environmental factors is one oft the great challenges of biology. In the course Bio IA you learnt about the composition and function of the genome and how it is inherited. The goal of this course is that you learn how genetic, genomic and bioinformatics methods are used to understand biological processes (the connection between genotype and phenotype). You will start by refreshing and deepening your knowledge of the basic principles of genetics and genomics in an interactive learning modules on the Moodle platform. This is followed by an introduction of the basic tools of bioinformatics and genomic analysis. After you have mastered the basic principles you will learn how to study biological processes either by inactivating specific genes or by randomly mutagenizing the entire genome. You will be introduced to different model organisms (bacteria, yeast, Drosophila) and humans. At the end of this first part of the course, you will test your knowledge by working with a group of fellow students to design your own genetic study. Conventional genetic methods rely on the alteration of the function of single genes and on the observation of the effect on the organism (phenotype). Based on the observed phenotype one deduces the normal function of the gene. However, this is a strong simplification. Even if environmental factors are controlled, phenotypes are very rarely controlled by a single gene. It is therefore important to understand the influence of the entire genome in conjunction with environmental factors on a given phenotype (e.g. human disease). Modern methods in genomics now permit first approaches in this direction. Therefore, the focus of the second part of the unit is on genomics methods. You learn, how the influence of the entire genome on a specific phenotype is detected and what challenges are involved in the analysis and the interpretation of the results. We will examine these methods in model organisms and humans. You will also learn how the genome of cancer cells changes under the constant selection for these cells to survive and how this genome analysis provides new insights into diagnosis and therapy. This course is based on active learning. Each week consists of a learning unit with clearly defined learning goals. In the first two hours you will learn the basics from texts, videos and questionnaires on the Moodle platform. In the third lecture an expert on the topic of the week (e.g. genetic screens in yeast) from the department will give an input lecture that builds on the basic knowledge that you acquired. In the fourth lecture you will discuss the tests and topics of the week with the expert. During the semester you will have access to assistants and lecturers via the Moodle online forum.
Lecture notes	The learning material and slides of the input lectures are available on Moodle. There you will also find further information (articles, links, videos).
Literature	All texts and references will be available on Moodle. To follow the most recent developments in this rapidly evolving field follow the following experts on Twitter: @dgmacarthur @EricTopol und/oder @ehafen
Prerequisites / Notice	The course builds on the course Bio IA, in particular on that course's content regarding genetics and genomics. The course is based on self-learning units on Moodle, input lectures by experts from D-BIOL and exercises.