1) Introduction to Cell Biology
This part aims to introduce the students to the main basic principles of Cell Biology. The focus lies on the theoretical knowledge of these fundamental cell biology principles.
Following aspects of cell biology will be discussed:
Universal features of eukaryotic cells
The plasma membrane
The cytoskeleton
Compartmentalization of the cell: The nucleus, The endoplasmic reticulum, The Golgi apparatus, The mitochondrion
2) Important cell biology techniques and their applications
This part aims to introduce the students to 3 main cell biology techniques, which are amply used in research (both in academia as in industry). The focus lies on both the theoretical knowledge of these fundamental cell biology techniques and an understanding of their applications.
Following techniques will be discussed:
Manipulating DNA and proteins. This chapter includes: techniques for the fractionation of cell components, techniques for the isolation of proteins, techniques to isolate genes (PCR, reverse transcription, gene cloning, plasmid expression vectors, construction of transgenic mice)
Light microscopy. This chapter includes: light as electromagnetic waves, light refraction, basis of a compound microscope, introduction to bright-field microscopy, introduction to dark-field microscopy, introduction to fluorescence microscopy (basics of fluorescence, filter sets, photodetectors), using fluorescence to visualize cells or cellular structures (functional dyes, immunofluorescence, fluorescent proteins, FRAP, FLIP, FRET), introduction to laser scanning confocal microscopy, introduction to two-photon microscopy.
Flow cytometry and cell sorting. This chapter includes: the flow cytometric set-up, electrostatic cell sorting, compensation
3) Mathematical modelling of complex cell biology systems (Enzyme kinetics and biochemical reaction networks)
This part aims to introduce the students to mathematical modelling of exemplary biological problems. The focus lies on applicability, rather than theoretical knowledge.
Following aspects will be discussed:
Modelling chemical reaction networks (law of mass action, numerical simulations, separation of time scales and model reduction
Modelling biochemical reactions (enzyme kinetics)
Modelling gene regulatory networks (modelling gene expression)
4) Tissue techniques. This part aims to introduce the students to the principle techniques for studying and manipulating tissue.
The following aspects will be discussed:
Cell and tissue culture techniques
Histology and histological techniques
Electron microscopy.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Understand the working principles of techniques to culture cells and tissues
2. Understanding of histology and histological techniques and being able to interpret histological coupes
3. Understand various quantitative techniques for the quantitative analysis of cell morphology, cell properties, structure and function and be able to apply quantitative analysis
4. Understand the relation between cell composition and cell function as inferred from the above-mentioned techniques
