Karsten Weis: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2021 |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Karsten Weis |
| Field | Cellular Dynamics |
| Address | Institut für Biochemie ETH Zürich, HPM E 6 Otto-Stern-Weg 3 8093 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 632 30 08 |
| karsten.weis@bc.biol.ethz.ch | |
| Department | Biology |
| Relationship | Full Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 551-0319-00L | Cellular Biochemistry (Part I)  | 3 credits | 2V | U. Kutay, G. Neurohr, M. Peter, K. Weis, I. Zemp | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Concepts 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Structural 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 notes | Scripts 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) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Recommended supplementary literature (review articles and selected primary literature) will be provided during the course. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | To attend this course the students must have a solid basic knowledge in chemistry, biochemistry and general biology. The course will be taught in English. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 551-0337-00L | Cell Biology of the Nucleus  Number of participants limited to 18. The enrolment is done by the D-BIOL study administration. General safety regulations for all block courses: The COVID certificate is mandatory at ETH Zurich. Only students who have a Covid certificate, i.e. who have been vaccinated, have recovered or have been tested, are entitled to attend courses in attendance. -Whenever possible the distance rules have to be respected -All students have to wear masks throughout the course. Please keep reserve masks ready. Surgical masks (IIR) or medical grade masks (FFP2) without a valve are permitted. Community masks (fabric masks) are not allowed. -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 credits | 7P | R. Kroschewski, Y. Barral, M. Jagannathan, S. Jessberger, K. Weis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Introduction to the organizational principles of the nucleus using budding yeast, drosophila and vertebrate cells as model systems. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | During 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 notes | There 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Documentation and recommended literature (review articles) will be provided during the course. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 551-1003-00L | Methods of Biological Analysis Only for Biologie BSc, Programme Regulations 2013. | 3 credits | 3G | M. Badertscher, P. Picotti, K. Weis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | 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 notes | Materials supporting the lectures and exercises will be made available via Moodle. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 551-1005-00L | Bioanalytics | 4 credits | 4G | P. Picotti, F. Allain, V. Korkhov, M. Pilhofer, R. Schlapbach, K. Weis, K. Wüthrich, further lecturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The course will introduce students to a selected set of laboratory techniques that are foundational to modern biological research. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | For each of the techniques covered in the course, the students will be able to explain: a) the physical, chemical and biological principles underlying the technique, b) the requirements for the sample, c) the type of raw data collected by the technique, d) the assumptions and auxiliarry information used in the interpretation of the data and e) how these data can be used to answer a given biological question. By the end of the course the students will be able to select the appropriate experimental technique to answer a given biological problem and will be able to discuss the advantages and limitations of individual techniques as well as how different techniques can be combined to gain a more complete understanding of a given biological questions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The course will be based on a combination of lectures, selfstudy elements and exercises. The focus will be on the following experimental techniques: - DNA sequencing - chromatography - mass-spectrometry - UV/Vis and fluorescence spectrometry - light microscopy - electron microscopy - X-ray crystallography - NMR spectroscopy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | The course is supported by a Moodle page that gives access to all supporting materials necessary for the course. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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| 551-1303-00L | Cellular Biochemistry of Health and Disease Number of participants limited to 20. | 4 credits | 2S | V. Korkhov, T. Ishikawa, M. Jagannathan, R. Kroschewski, G. Neurohr, M. Peter, A. E. Smith, B. Snijder, K. Weis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | During 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Students 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Guided 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | The literature will be provided during the course | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The course will be taught in English. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||