The course introduces the basic concepts of conservation genetics, such as inbreeding, inbreeding depression, adaptive genetic diversity, hybridization, or fragmentation. The course shows how genetic methods are used in conservation genetics and potentially applied in practical management, and it critically discusses the benefits and limits of conservation genetics.

This course focuses on fundamental concepts and methods in ecological genetics. Topics covered include genetic diversity, natural selection, adaptation, reproductive isolation, hybridization and speciation.

The concept course 'Evolutionary Genetics' consists of two lectures that jointly provide an introduction to the fields of population and quantitative genetics (emphasis on basic concepts) and ecological genetics (more emphasis on evolutionary and ecological processes of adaptation and speciation).

In the first part basic principles and methods that are widely used in molecular genetics are discussed.The second part presents aspects of gene cloning, whole genomes, transgenic organisms, recombinant protein production.The third part of the Course deals with Antibody Engineering, Chemical Modification of Proteins, Measurement of affinity constants, Proteomics

Introduction to selected prokaryotic and eukaryotic model microorganisms and application of methods which are used as tools for answering questions in molecular biology.

1A) Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a model organism to study human disorders 1B) Experimental strategies for site-directed mutagenesis in Salmonella typhimurium 1C) Affinity purification of a transcriptional regulator and demonstration of its DNA binding activity 2A) PCR amplification of genes from different microorganisms 2B) Site-directed mutagenesis of the hemoglobin gene from Vitreoscilla (vhb) 2C)

Advanced lecture class providing a broad overview on bacterial cell structure, genetics, metabolism, symbiosis and pathogenesis.

Laboratory course. Research projects in the area of plant microbiomes are conducted in small teams. They address current topics related to plant microbiomes, including microbial community assembly, microbial interactions, plant protection and plant immunity.

This course aims at developing research skills in environmental biology. Students carry out small research projects in terrestrial and aquatic ecology, ecological genetics, and population biology. Students analyse their data statistically and present the results both orally and in written reports.

4 blocks of practical laboratory work. Learning of experimental lab skills and lab research in all varieties of medical, basic, environmetal and applied microbiology.

The lecture course provides an advanced understanding of modern techniques used in molecular microbiology. Current technologies and research directions in molecular microbiology including applied aspects will be illustrated with paper discussions. The format is a lecture course enriched by group activities.