Jörn Piel: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2023 |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Jörn Piel |
| Field | Microbial Interactions |
| Address | Institut für Mikrobiologie ETH Zürich, HCI G 431 Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10 8093 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 633 07 55 |
| jpiel@micro.biol.ethz.ch | |
| Department | Biology |
| Relationship | Full Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 551-0125-00L | Fundamentals of Biology I: From Molecules to the Biochemistry of Cells | 6 credits | 5G | J. Vorholt-Zambelli, N. Ban, R. Glockshuber, K. Locher, J. Piel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The 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 objective | Introduction to biochemistry, molecular biology and evolutionary principles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The 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 notes | The newly conceived lecture is supported by scripts. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | The 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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Competencies |
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| 551-0313-00L | Microbiology (Part I) | 3 credits | 2V | W.‑D. Hardt, L. Eberl, B. Nguyen, J. Piel, M. Pilhofer, A. Vagstad | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Advanced lecture class providing a broad overview on bacterial cell structure, genetics, metabolism, symbiosis and pathogenesis. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | This concept class will be based on common concepts and introduce to the enormous diversity among bacteria and archaea. It will cover the current research on bacterial cell structure, genetics, metabolism, symbiosis and pathogenesis. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Advanced class covering the state of the research in bacterial cell structure, genetics, metabolism, symbiosis and pathogenesis. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Updated handouts will be provided during the class. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Current literature references will be provided during the lectures. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | English The lecture "Grundlagen der Biologie II: Mikrobiologie" is the basis for this advanced lecture. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 551-1106-00L | Progress Reports in Microbiology and Immunology Students must sign up via secr.micro.biol.ethz.ch | 0 credits | 5S | J. Piel, W.‑D. Hardt, A. Oxenius, J. Vorholt-Zambelli | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Presentation and discussion of current research results in the field of Microbiology and Infection Immunology | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Precise and transparent presentation of research findings in relation to the current literature, critical discussion of experimental data and their interpretation, development and presentation of future research aims | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 551-1109-00L | Seminars in Microbiology | 0 credits | 2K | S. Sunagawa, W.‑D. Hardt, M. Künzler, J. Piel, J. Vorholt-Zambelli | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Seminars by invited speakers covering selected microbiology themes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Discussion of selected microbiology themes presented by invited speakers. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 551-1147-00L | Bioactive Natural Products from Bacteria  Number of participants limited to 8. The enrolment is done by the D-BIOL study administration. | 6 credits | 7P | J. Piel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Lab course. In small groups projects of relevance to current research questions in the field of bacterial natural product biosynthesis are addressed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Introduction to relevant subjects of the secondary metabolism of bacteria. Training in practical work in a research laboratory. Scientific writing in form of a research report. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Research project on bacteria that produce bioactive natural products (e.g., Streptomycetes, Cyanobacteria, uncultivated bacteria). The techniques used will depend on the project, e.g. PCR, cloning, natural product analysis, precursor feeding studies, enzyme expression and analysis. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | none. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Will be provided for each of the projects at the beginning of the course. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 551-1149-00L | Pharmaceutical Discovery from Microbial Communities Number of participants limited to 3. The enrolment is done by the D-BIOL study administration. | 6 credits | 7P | A. E. Fraley, J. Piel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | In this block course, students explore the metabolic potential of microbial communities from unique environments located in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Entlebuch. We will identify microorganisms cohabitating with extremophile mosses, and discover bioactive metabolites produced within these ecological niches. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Natural products have long been used as medicine. In this block course, students explore the metabolic potential of microbial communities from peat bogs located in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Entlebuch. Peat moss is an incredibly important source of carbon storage, sequestering more CO2 than all of the rainforests. Degradation of these mosses would cause a massive release of greenhouse gases. For this reason, the peatlands in the Entlebuch are one of the most protected natural resources in Switzerland. We are interested in studying the microbial populations of these mosses in order to understand the contributions of secondary metabolites toward peat moss sustainability. In this course, you will learn taxonomic identification of biologically relevant microbes and mosses as well as proper field collection techniques. Lab work will include the extraction and purification of natural products in the lab, followed by assays for therapeutic properties. From discovery by organic extraction, fractionation, and column chromatography, to analysis via HPLC and mass spectrometry, you will learn first-hand how a natural compound becomes a therapeutic drug. The students will receive an introduction to relevant subjects of the secondary metabolism of bacteria and plants. Lectures will include an introduction to natural products and drug discovery, bioprospecting and industrial fermentation, relevant analytical methods, microbial communities and metagenomics. The students will receive training in practical work in a research laboratory as well as scientific literacy skills in the form of a research report and oral presentation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The students will work on a research project focusing on the discovery of bioactive natural products from environmental samples which they will collect in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Entlebuch. Students will learn from lectures in class, lab and in the field and gain experience with field collection techniques and the sequence of steps required for natural products discovery including organic extraction, fractionation, and column chromatography. They will use analytical techniques such as HPLC and mass spectrometry for initial characterization of the purified secondary metabolites. Primary biological assays will be conducted to identify natural product extracts and fractions with antibiotic activity as a first step in the drug discovery process. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Provided after each lecture. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Additional materials will be provided before the start of the course. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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