6 EC
Semester 1, period 1
5234BISB6Y
In the course Biomedical Systems Biology the teachers will introduce you to a thorough understanding of how molecules interact in cellular systems and thus determine important chemical and cellular processes that occur during health and disease. The recurrent theme is the integrative analysis of stress response in biology where genetic, signal transduction and metabolic reactions form an integrated complex network of spatially and temporally resolved interactions that strive to homeostasis in response to environmental perturbations. The approach reflects the focus on Systems Biology that the course takes and that is in-line with the research done in the masters program as a whole. We offer different biomedical research challenges for the students to work on. These are the study of microbial growth and the human microbiome, systems to ensure microbial food safety, the development of new antibiotics to cure infection, model organisms and systems, human developmental biology and neurobiology . By the end of week 2 key-note lectures provide perspectives of how contemporary biomedical topics are studied with systems biology approaches and a computer practical is taught.
Week 1: Biological systems: from humans to microbes, modelorganisms and back
Week 2: Systems Biology tools & techniques
Week 3: Towards a national science council research proposal (coaching)
Week 4: Finalizing research proposal and Poster Presentations (with Pitch)
The course provides a framework in which you learn to choose your topic of research interest and develop the interest with a coach (the PIT) into a research proposal. The framework we use for this is a national science council structure in which you will develop the area of choice but also will have to put the research in a societal context. Finally the course provides training in presenting your work in a poster format as well as pitching it in the way this happens at international conferences.
The combination of courses in Biomedical Systems Biology (5234BISB6Y) and Biotechnology (5234BIOT6Y) are intended to give students a full apprehension of both the theoretical background and practical application of clinically relevant biochemical and biotechnological research.
Molecular Biology of the Cell, Alberts et al., Taylor & Francis Inc (6th ed. 2015)
Recommended but not necessary: Biochemistry, Berg et al., Freeman Palgrave Macmillan (7th ed.)
hand-outs & papers posted on Canvas.
Own laptop
Copasi
The students are given work lectures in which they are required to demonstrate academic critical thinking. Furthermore the poster presentation and research proposal writing is a collaborative effort in which two-four students collaborate.
|
Activity |
Number of hours |
|
Tutorials |
6 |
|
Lectures |
30 |
|
Assignment (mainly as unsupervised group work) |
50 |
|
Symposium (presentation including preparation) |
16 |
|
Exam |
|
|
Question hour |
5 |
|
Self study |
61 |
|
Total 6 x 28 h |
168 |
Requirements of the programme concerning attendance (OER-B):
Additional requirements for this course:
The lectures are all crucial so also those on the topics that you will not work on! Attendance of the lectures in the second week is to familiarize yourself with the technological possibilities!
| Item and weight | Details |
|
Final grade |
The date, time and location of the inspection moment are in the DataNose timetable.
The Assignment involves the evaluation of a research proposal and its poster presentation; a preceding oral presentation and the assessment and discussion of a proposal of fellow students is a formative assignment.
The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl
| Weeknummer | Onderwerpen | Studiestof |
| 1 | Topics for assignments | lecture hand-outs & assignment explanation |
| 2 | Tools to work on the assignments (couples) | lecture hand-outs & computer practical |
| 3 | Work on the assignment & presentation | NWO-Open Competition project structure |
| 4 | Finalize assignment & poster presentation | |
| 5 | ||
| 6 | ||
| 7 | ||
| 8 |
The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.