Constance Beyer: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2018

Name Dr. Constance Beyer
Name variantsConstance Ciaudo
FieldRNAi and Genome Integrity
DepartmentBiology
RelationshipAssistant Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
551-0364-00LFunctional Genomics
Information for UZH students:
Enrolment to this course unit only possible at ETH. No enrolment to module BIO 254 at UZH.
Please mind the ETH enrolment deadlines for UZH students: Link
3 credits2VC. von Mering, C. Beyer, B. Bodenmiller, M. Gstaiger, H. Rehrauer, R. Schlapbach, K. Shimizu, N. Zamboni, further lecturers
AbstractFunctional genomics is key to understanding the dynamic aspects of genome function and regulation. Functional genomics approaches use the wealth of data produced by large-scale DNA sequencing, gene expression profiling, proteomics and metabolomics. Today functional genomics is becoming increasingly important for the generation and interpretation of quantitative biological data.
Learning objectiveFunctional genomics is key to understanding the dynamic aspects of genome function and regulation. Functional genomics approaches use the wealth of data produced by large-scale DNA sequencing, gene expression profiling, proteomics and metabolomics. Today functional genomics is becoming increasingly important for the generation and interpretation of quantitative biological data. Such data provide the basis for systems biology efforts to elucidate the structure, dynamics and regulation of cellular networks.
ContentThe curriculum of the Functional Genomics course emphasizes an in depth understanding of new technology platforms for modern genomics and advanced genetics, including the application of functional genomics approaches such as advanced microarrays, proteomics, metabolomics, clustering and classification. Students will learn quality controls and standards (benchmarking) that apply to the generation of quantitative data and will be able to analyze and interpret these data. The training obtained in the Functional Genomics course will be immediately applicable to experimental research and design of systems biology projects.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe Functional Genomics course will be taught in English.
551-1298-00LGenetics, Genomics, Bioinformatics Information 4 credits2V + 2UE. Hafen, C. Beyer, J. Bohacek, B. Christen, U. K. Genick, J. Piel, R. Schlapbach, G. Schwank, S. Sunagawa, K. Weis, A. Wutz
AbstractThe 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 objectiveAt 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.
ContentThe 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).

In the first two weeks you will renew and deepen your knowledge of the basic principles of genetics and genomics in interactive learning modules on the Moodle platform. This is followed by an introduction of the basic tools of bioinformatics. You learn to search for specific genome sequences, to align them and to construct pedigrees of related genes.

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, mouse) and humans.

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. This is a strong simplification since, 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. a 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 genome-wide association studies. 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.

At the beginning of the learning unit you will take a short multiple-choice test on the content of the course. This formative assessment does not count for your final grade but gives you and us a way to determine where you stand also in relation to your fellow students. A similar formative assessment test will be given at the end of the semester. In this way, we can determine the learning gain during the course and obtain a quantitative feedback on the course. The exam is based on the learning goals of the individual chapters and the questions in the formative assessments.
Lecture notesThe learning material and slides of the input lectures are available on Moodle. There you will also find further information (articles, links, videos).
LiteratureAll 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 / NoticeThe 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.
551-1300-00LCause and Consequences of Unstable Genomes Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 15.

The enrolment is done by the D-BIOL study administration.
6 credits7GJ. Fernandes de Matos, Y. Barral, C. Beyer, P. Cejka
AbstractThe course will introduce students to key concepts and laboratory research within the broad field of "Genome stability".
Learning objectiveStudents will learn to design, apply and evaluate current research strategies in a wide range of modern research areas encompassing the broad field of "Genome stability".
ContentThe course will consist of lectures, practical laboratory work in small groups, informal progress report sessions, and preparation and presentation of a poster. Lectures will be presented mainly at the start of the course to expose students to key concepts and techniques in the field. Students will team into small groups and work in one laboratory for the rest of the course. Students will meet regularly for informal "progress report" discussions of their projects. Student performance will be assessed based on the quality of their practical work, a written exam on frontal lecture material, and a poster presentation of their practical work.
LiteratureDocumentation and recommended literature in the form of review articles and selected primary literature will be provided during the course.
Prerequisites / NoticeThis course will be taught in English.
551-1312-00LRNA-Biology II Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 16.

The enrolment is done by the D-BIOL study administration.
6 credits7GS. Jonas, F. Allain, C. Beyer, U. Kutay, B. Mateescu, O. Voinnet, K. Weis
AbstractIntroduction to the diversity of current RNA-research at all levels from structural biology to systems biology using mainly model systems like S. cerevisiae (yeast), mammalian cells.
Learning objectiveThe students will obtain an overview about the diversity of current RNA-research. They will learn to design experiments and use techniques necessary to analyze different aspects of RNA biology. Through lectures and literature seminars, they will learn about the burning questions of RNA research and discuss approaches to address these questions experimentally. In practical lab projects the students will work in one of the participating laboratories. Finally, they will learn how to present and discuss their data in an appropriate manner. Student assessment is a graded semester performance based on individual performance in the laboratory, the written exam and the poster presentation.
LiteratureDocumentation and recommended literature will be provided at the beginning and during the course.