Karsten Weis: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2020

Name Prof. Dr. Karsten Weis
FieldCellular Dynamics
Address
Institut für Biochemie
ETH Zürich, HPM E 6
Otto-Stern-Weg 3
8093 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 30 08
E-mailkarsten.weis@bc.biol.ethz.ch
DepartmentBiology
RelationshipFull Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
551-0319-00LCellular Biochemistry (Part I) Information 3 credits2VU. Kutay, Q. Feng, M. Peter, K. Weis, I. Zemp
AbstractConcepts and molecular mechanisms underlying the biochemistry of the cell, providing advanced insights into structure, function and regulation of individual cell components. Particular emphasis will be put on the spatial and temporal integration of different molecules and signaling pathways into global cellular processes such as intracellular transport, cell division & growth, and cell migration.
ObjectiveThe full-year course (551-0319-00 & 551-0320-00) focuses on the molecular mechanisms and concepts underlying the biochemistry of cellular physiology, investigating how these processes are integrated to carry out highly coordinated cellular functions. The molecular characterisation of complex cellular functions requires a combination of approaches such as biochemistry, but also cell biology and genetics. This course is therefore the occasion to discuss these techniques and their integration in modern cellular biochemistry.
The students will be able to describe the structural and functional details of individual cell components, and the spatial and temporal regulation of their interactions. In particular, they will learn to explain the integration of different molecules and signaling pathways into complex and highly dynamic cellular processes such as intracellular transport, cytoskeletal rearrangements, cell motility, cell division and cell growth. In addition, they will be able to illustrate the relevance of particular signaling pathways for cellular pathologies such as cancer.
ContentStructural and functional details of individual cell components, regulation of their interactions, and various aspects of the regulation and compartmentalisation of biochemical processes.
Topics include: biophysical and electrical properties of membranes; viral membranes; structural and functional insights into intracellular transport and targeting; vesicular trafficking and phagocytosis; post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression.
Lecture notesScripts and additional material will be provided during the semester. Please contact Dr. Alicia Smith for assistance with the learning materials. (alicia.smith@bc.biol.ethz.ch)
LiteratureRecommended supplementary literature (review articles and selected primary literature) will be provided during the course.
Prerequisites / NoticeTo attend this course the students must have a solid basic knowledge in chemistry, biochemistry and general biology. The course will be taught in English.
551-0337-00LCell Biology of the Nucleus Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 18.
The enrolment is done by the D-BIOL study administration.

General safety regulations for all block courses:
-Whenever possible the distance rules have to be respected
-All students have to wear masks throughout the course (keep reserve masks ready)
-The installation and activation of the Swiss Covid-App is highly encouraged
-Any additional rules for individual courses have to be respected
-Students showing any COVID-19 symptoms are not allowed to enter ETH buildings and have to inform the course responsible
6 credits7PR. Kroschewski, Y. Barral, M. Jagannathan, S. Jessberger, K. Weis
AbstractIntroduction to the organizational principles of the nucleus using budding yeast, drosophila and vertebrate cells as model systems.
ObjectiveThe aim of our course is to introduce the students to the organizational principles of the nucleus using budding yeast, drosophila and vertebrate cells as model systems. Emphasis is given to:
• Establishment of nuclear identity and nuclear-cytoplasmic communication
• Reorganization of the nucleus in aging
• Animal cells during the generation of cell diversity and neuronal differentiation

By the end of the course, based on lectures, literature reading and practical lab work, the students will be able to formulate open questions concerning the function of the nucleus. Thus, the students will know about the mechanisms and consequences of nuclear-cytoplasmic compartmentalization, nuclear positioning, DNA clustering in the nucleus and cytoplasm during cell divisions and aging.
ContentDuring this block-course, the students will
- learn how organelles establish and maintain identity with a focus on the nucleus
- discover the evolutionary and functional plasticity of the nucleus
- design, apply, evaluate and compare experimental strategies


Students - in groups of 2 or max. 3 - will be integrated into a research project connected to the subject of the course, within one of the participating research groups.

Lectures and technical notes will be given and informal discussions held to provide you with the theoretical background.
Lecture notesThere will be optional papers to be read before the course start. They serve as framework orientation for the practical parts of this block course and will be made accessible to you shortly before the course starts on the relevant Moodle site.
LiteratureDocumentation and recommended literature (review articles) will be provided during the course.
551-1003-00LMethods of Biological Analysis Information 3 credits3GM. Badertscher, P. Picotti, K. Weis
Abstract529-1042-00
Principles of the most important separation techniques and the interpretation of molecular spectra.

551-1003-00
The course will teach the basis and typical applications of methods for the analysis of nucleic acid sequences, mass spectrometric analysis of proteins and proteomes and advanced light and fluorescent imaging methods.
Objective529-1042-00
Knowledge of the necessary basics and the possibilities of application of the relevant spectroscopical and separation methods in analytical chermistry.

551-1003-00
Knowledge of the theoretical basis of the methods for nucleic acid sequence analysis, mass spectrometry based protein and proteome analysis and advanced light and fluorescent imaging methods, and an understanding of the application of these principles in experimental biology.
Content529-1042-00
Application oriented basics of instrumental analysis in organic chemistry and the empirical employment of the methods of structure elucidation (mass spectrometry, NMR-, IR-, UV/VIS spectroscopy). Basics and application of chromatographic and electrophoretic separation methods. Application of the knowledge by practising.

551-1003-00
The course will consist of lectures covering the theoretical and technical base of the respective analytical methods and of exercises where typical applications of the methods in modern experimental biology are discussed.
Lecture notes529-1042-00
A comprehensive script is available in the HCI-Shop. A summary of the part "Spektroskopie" defines the relevant material for the exam.

551-1003-00
Materials supporting the lectures and exercises will be made available via Moodle.
Literature529-1042-00
- Pretsch E., Bühlmann P., Badertscher M. Structure Determination of Organic Compounds, 5th revised and enlarged English edition, Springer-Verlag, Berlin 2009;
- Pretsch E., Bühlmann P., Badertscher M., Spektroskopische Daten zur Strukturaufklärung organischer Verbindungen, fünfte Auflage, Springer-Verlag, Berlin 2010;
- D.A. Skoog, J.J. Leary, Instrumentelle Analytik, Grundlagen, Geräte, Anwendungen, Springer, Berlin, 1996;
- K. Cammann, Instrumentelle Analytische Chemie, Verfahren, Anwendungen, Qualitätssicherung, Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg, 2001;
- R. Kellner, J.-M. Mermet, M. Otto, H.M. Widmer, Analytical Chemistry, Wiley-VCH Verlag, Weinheim, 1998;
- K. Robards, P.R.Haddad, P.E. Jackson, Principles and practice of modern chromatographic methods, Academic Press, London, 1994;
Prerequisites / Notice529-1042-00
Prerequisites:
- 529-1001-01 V "Allgemeine Chemie I (für Biol./Pharm.Wiss.)"
- 529-1001-00 P "Allgemeine Chemie I (für Biol./Pharm.Wiss.)"
- 529-1011-00 G "Organische Chemie I (für Biol./Pharm.Wiss.)"
551-1303-00LCellular Biochemistry of Health and Disease Information Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 20.
4 credits2SV. Korkhov, Y. Barral, T. Ishikawa, M. Jagannathan, R. Kroschewski, G. Neurohr, M. Peter, A. E. Smith, B. Snijder, K. Weis
AbstractDuring this Masters level seminar style course, students will explore current research topics in cellular biochemistry focused on the structure, function and regulation of selected cell components, and the consequences of dysregulation for pathologies.
ObjectiveStudents will work with experts toward a critical analysis of cutting-edge research in the domain of cellular biochemistry, with emphasis on normal cellular processes and the consequences of their dysregulation. At the end of the course, students will be able to introduce, present, evaluate, critically discuss and write about recent scientific articles in the research area of cellular biochemistry.
ContentGuided by an expert in the field, students will engage in classical round-table style discussions of current literature with occasional frontal presentations. Students will alternate as discussion leaders throughout the semester, with the student leader responsible to briefly summarize key general knowledge and context of the assigned primary research paper. Together with the faculty expert, all students will participate in discussion of the primary paper, including the foundation of the biological question, specific questions addressed, key methods, key results, remaining gaps and research implications.
LiteratureThe literature will be provided during the course
Prerequisites / NoticeThe course will be taught in English.