551-1412-00L Molecular and Structural Biology IV: Visualizing Macromolecules by X-Ray Crystallography and EM
| Semester | Spring Semester 2019 |
| Lecturers | N. Ban, D. Böhringer, T. Ishikawa, M. A. Leibundgut, K. Locher, M. Pilhofer, K. Wüthrich, further lecturers |
| Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
| Language of instruction | English |
Courses
| Number | Title | Hours | Lecturers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 551-1412-00 V | Molecular and Structural Biology IV: Visualizing Macromolecules by X-Ray Crystallography and EM | 2 hrs |
| N. Ban, D. Böhringer, T. Ishikawa, M. A. Leibundgut, K. Locher, M. Pilhofer, K. Wüthrich, further lecturers |
Catalogue data
| Abstract | This course provides an in-depth discussion of two main methods to determine the 3D structures of macromolecules and complexes at high resolution: X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. Both techniques result in electron density maps that are interpreted by atomic models. |
| Objective | Students will obtain the theoretical background to understand structure determination techniques employed in X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy, including diffraction theory, crystal growth and analysis, reciprocal space calculations, interpretation of electron density, structure building and refinement as well as validation. The course will also provide an introduction into the use of cryo-electron tomography to visualize complex cellular substructures at sub-nanometer resolutions, effectively bridging the resolution gap between optical microscopy and single particle cryo-electron microscopy. Lectures will be complemented with practical sessions where students will have a chance to gain hands on experience with sample preparation, data processing and structure building and refinement. |
| Content | February 22 Lecture 1 Prof. Dr. Kurt Wüthrich History of Structural Molecular Biology March 1 Lecture 2 Prof. Dr. Kaspar Locher X-ray diffraction from macromolecular crystals March 8 Lecture 3 Prof. Dr. Kaspar Locher Data collection and statistics, phasing methods March 15 Lecture 4 Prof. Dr. Nenad Ban Crystal symmetry and space groups March 22 Lecture 5 Ban Lab Practical session with X-ray data processing March 29 Lecture 6 Prof. Dr. Takashi Ishikawa Principle of cryo-EM for biological macromolecules I, including hardware of TEM and detectors, image formation principle (phase contrast, spherical aberration, CTF), 3D reconstruction (central-section theorem, backprojection, missing information) April 5 Lecture 7 Dr. Daniel Boehringer Single particle analysis, including principle (projection matching, random conical tilt, angular reconstitution) April 12 Lecture 8 Ban Lab Practical session including specimen preparation (cryo, negative stain, visit to ScopeM May 3 Lecture 9 Prof. Dr. M. Pilhofer Tomography I, including basics and subtomogram averaging May 10 Lecture 10 Ban Lab Practical session with example initial EM data processing May 17 Lecture 11 Prof. Dr. Martin Pilhofer Practical session (including recent techniques, including cryo-FIB) May 24 Lecture 12 Prof. Dr. Nenad Ban EM and X-ray structure building, refinement, validation and interpretation May 31 Lecture 13 Ban Lab Practical session with model building and refinemen |
Performance assessment
| Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again) | |
Performance assessment as a semester course | |
| ECTS credits | 4 credits |
| Examiners | N. Ban, D. Böhringer, T. Ishikawa, M. A. Leibundgut, K. Locher, M. Pilhofer, K. Wüthrich |
| Type | session examination |
| Language of examination | English |
| Repetition | The performance assessment is offered every session. Repetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit. |
| Mode of examination | written 60 minutes |
| Written aids | None |
| This information can be updated until the beginning of the semester; information on the examination timetable is binding. | |
Learning materials
| No public learning materials available. | |
| Only public learning materials are listed. |
Groups
| No information on groups available. |
Restrictions
| There are no additional restrictions for the registration. |
