3 ECTS credits
75 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4024398ENR for all students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
In this elective, students will gain advanced insights into the working of microbial cells and the molecular strategies, sensing and regulatory mechanisms that enable microorganisms to respond to changes in cell physiology and in the environment, including parasitic and commensal interactions with eukaryotic cells. The course builds on the fundamental concepts taught in the course Molecular Microbiology (4012687ENR) and adds a theoretical module “Cellular microbiology” and a practical session.
In the module on cellular microbiology, following topics will be discussed: molecular and cellular biology of prokaryote-eukaryote interactions, virulence factors of plant and animal pathogens, host defense mechanisms and diversity and evolution of pathogens, and the genetic and biochemical methods to study these phenomena. Throughout the course, students will gain an overview of the main research methodologies used in typical molecular microbiology studies, such that they can work out experimental approaches to test and validate research hypotheses, and can critically read and assess the advanced scientific literature in the field. Students will be introduced to biosafety aspects with regards to working with transgenic and pathogenic organisms. During the WPO sessions, students will perform typical molecular-microbiological research techniques in the context of ongoing research in one of the microbiology-oriented research laboratories (e.g. gene expression analysis by means of qRT-PCR and Western Blotting, gene reporter assays, microscopy, genetic and biochemical approaches to pathway discovery, phenotypic characterization of loss or gain of function mutants …).
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After completing this course, students will be able to:
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 40% of the final mark.
Practical Exam determines 60% of the final mark.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the Practical Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
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This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Molecular Biology: Standaard traject