The course introduces students to the central facts and concepts of biochemistry and covers topics ranging from the structure, physicochemical properties and function of biomolecules; enzymes and their function; human metabolism and its regulation to signal transduction and motor proteins.

Genetics and epigenetics form the blueprints for all life. Understanding genetics is critical to understanding everything from evolution to cancer. This course covers the fundamentals of modern genetics, with an emphasis on molecular mechanisms, and the use of genetic tools to understand biological biological processes in bacteria, model organisms and humans.

The course provides the basis of modern genetics, genomics and bioinformatics. A special focus is placed on the use of these tools for the understanding of biological processes in bacteria, model organisms and humans. The unit uses the principle of blended learning consisting of self-study modules in Moodle, tasks and input lectures by experts from the department.

The course accompanies the “Biochemie” course and covers similar topics (properties of biomolecules, metabolism, signal transduction, motor proteins etc.). However, in this course these topics will be covered from the perspective of the pathological consequences that arise when these molecules and process do not function properly.