551-0371-00L  Nutrient Sensing and Growth Control

SemesterHerbstsemester 2020
DozierendeH. Stocker, R. C. Dechant
Periodizitätjährlich wiederkehrende Veranstaltung
LehrspracheEnglisch
KommentarNumber of participants limited to 8.
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


KurzbeschreibungAll organisms have to control their growth in accordance with environmental conditions. This course focuses on the analysis of growth regulation in yeast, Drosophila, and mammalian cells. The participants will perform experiments in small teams to study insulin/TOR signaling as a key regulator of cellular growth. A particular focus will be the discussion of current research.
LernzielThe aims of the block course are that participants

(I) understand the function and evolution of insulin/TOR signaling

(II) learn how genetic approaches in different organisms contribute to the understanding of human diseases such as cancer

(III) will get familiarized with reading and discussing research articles

(IV) get a first exposure to current research.
InhaltThe block course consists of

(I) experiments:

Teams of two students each will join research labs to work on current projects focusing on growth regulation in Drosophila and in mammalian cells. The students will present their projects and results to their colleagues.

(II) lectures on growth regulation in yeast, Drosophila and mammals.

(III) journal clubs to discuss recent literature.
SkriptLecture handouts
LiteraturOriginal research articles will be discussed during the course.