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636-0507-00L 8 Credits DR , MSC D-HEST , D-MAVT , D-PHYS , D-ITET , D-BSSE

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Synthetic Biology II

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Sven Panke, Prof. Dr. Jörg Stelling, Dr. Yaakov Benenson

Does not take place this semester. Students in the MSc Programme Biotechnology may select Synthetic Biology II instead of the Research Project 1.

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:35:57

Abstract

7 months biological design project, during which the students are required to give presentations on advanced topics in synthetic biology (specifically genetic circuit design) and then select their own biological system to design. The system is subsequently modeled, analyzed, and experimentally implemented. Results are presented at an international student competition at the MIT (Cambridge).

Objective

The students are supposed to acquire a deep understanding of the process of biological design including model representation of a biological system, its thorough analysis, and the subsequent experimental implementation of the system and the related problems.

Content

Presentations on advanced synthetic biology topics (eg genetic circuit design, adaptation of systems dynamics, analytical concepts, large scale de novo DNA synthesis), project selection, modeling of selected biological system, design space exploration, sensitivity analysis, conversion into DNA sequence, (DNA synthesis external,) implementation and analysis of design, summary of results in form of scientific presentation and poster, presentation of results at the iGEM international student competition ( www.igem.org ).

Resources

Lecture Notes

Handouts during course

General Information

Language: English
Levels: DR , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: ungraded semester performance

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
independent project	Synthetic Biology II Does not take place this semester. Permission from lecturers required for all students.	By Appointment None-None	4 h weekly

Offered In

Mechanical Engineering Master
- Core Courses
  - Energy, Flows and Processes (The courses listed in this category “Core Courses” are recommended. Alternative courses can be chosen in agreement with the tutor.)
Biomedical Engineering Master
- Track Courses
  - Molecular Bioengineering
    - Recommended Elective Courses (These courses are particularly recommended for the Molecular Bioengineering track. Please consult your track advisor if you wish to select other subjects.)
Doctoral Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering (More Information at: )
- Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Courses
Health Sciences and Technology Master
- Major in Molecular Health Sciences
  - Elective Courses
Biotechnology Master
- Research Projects and Internship (Students need to acquire a total of 20 ECTS in this category. Either choose Research Project I (8 ECTS) and Research Project II (12 ECTS) Or choose Research Project I (8 ECTS) and Industry Internship (12 ECTS) Instead of Research Project I (8 ECTS) students may also choose Synthetic Biology II (8 ECTS))
  - Research Projects