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551-1421-00L 6 Credits BSC D-BIOL
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The Mechanisms of Natural Transformation in Competent Gram-negative Bacteria

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Manuela Hospenthal
Number of participants limited to 2. The enrolment is done by the D-BIOL study administration. General safety regulations for all block courses: -Whenever possible the distance rules have to be respected -All students have to wear masks throughout the course (keep reserve masks ready) -The installation and activation of the Swiss Covid-App is highly encouraged -Any additional rules for individual courses have to be respected -Students showing any COVID-19 symptoms are not allowed to enter ETH buildings and have to inform the course responsible
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Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:36:22

Abstract

Students will carry out defined research projects related to the current research topics of the Hospenthal group. The topics will include protein expression of pilins and/or other competence proteins from Gram-negative bacteria, protein purification using affinity chromatography, crystallisation experiments and analysis of assembled pili by electron microscopy.

Objective

The course should enable students to understand concepts of protein expression, purification and the characterisation of biomolecular interactions. In addition, students will learn some basic principles of X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy.

Content

The students will be tutored in their experimental work by an experienced doctoral student. The course will also include a short lecture delivered by M. Hospenthal, providing the theoretical background for the experimental work. Throughout the course, students will receive exercises that further help to explain the theory of the practical work, as well as literature research tasks. Participation in the following Hospenthal lab projects will be possible: • Purification, biophysical characterisation and structure determination of competence pili. • Purification, biophysical characterisation and structure determination of proteins and protein complexes involved in natural transformation. Experimental work on this project involves: • Cloning and mutagenesis • Recombinant or endogenous protein production in E. coli or Legionella • Protein purification by affinity chromatography (other chromatographic purification techniques will also be discussed) • Protein crystallisation and crystal optimisation • Visualisation of bacterial pili by electron microscopy (negative stain or cryo electron microscopy) • DNA binding experiments • Enzymatic activity measurements • In silico structural analyses using PyMOL and Chimera

Resources

Literature

Any required reading of literature will be discussed at the beginning of the course.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
practical/laboratory course The Mechanisms of Natural Transformation in Competent Gram-negative Bacteria
Permission from lecturers required for all students. Block course in the 1st quarter of the autumn semester. The course will start with an introductory lecture on Tuesday (15.09.2020) afternoon. Participants will be informed about the exact time and location via email.
No time listed 100 h semesterly

Offered In