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551-0371-00L 6 Credits BSC D-BIOL

Growth Control and Aging

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Hugo Stocker, PD Dr. Reinhard Christoph Dechant, Prof. Dr. Gabriel Neurohr
Number of participants limited to 8. The enrolment is done by the D-BIOL study administration. General safety regulations for all block courses: The COVID certificate is mandatory at ETH Zurich. Only students who have a Covid certificate, i.e. who have been vaccinated, have recovered or have been tested, are entitled to attend courses in attendance. -Whenever possible the distance rules have to be respected -All students have to wear masks throughout the course. Please keep reserve masks ready. Surgical masks (IIR) or medical grade masks (FFP2) without a valve are permitted. Community masks (fabric masks) are not allowed. -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.
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:48:52

Abstract

Organisms have to control their growth in accordance with environmental conditions. Interestingly, the pathways regulating growth often also affect aging. This course focuses on the analysis of growth regulation in yeast, Drosophila, and mammalian cells and on its connection to aging. The participants will perform experiments to study insulin/TOR signaling as a key regulator of growth and aging.

Objective

The aims of the block course are that participants (I) understand the function and evolution of insulin/TOR signaling (II) learn how genetic approaches in different organisms contribute to the understanding of complex processes such as aging and cancer in humans (III) will get familiarized with reading and discussing research articles (IV) get a first exposure to current research.

Content

The block course consists of (I) experiments: Teams of two students each will join research labs to work on current projects focusing on aging and growth regulation in budding yeast, Drosophila and mammalian cells. The students will present their projects and results to their colleagues. (II) lectures on growth regulation and aging in yeast, Drosophila and mammals. (III) journal clubs to discuss recent literature.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture handouts

Literature

Original research articles will be discussed during the course.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
The grading is based on- written examination (90 minutes)- performance in course experiments- presentations (experiments, journal club).Students are obliged to be present throughout the block course.Cancellation: If you have to deregister from a course that has been assigned to you (just emergency reasons), please notify in written the course coordinator at least four weeks before the course starts, for courses in the 1st quarter, a cancellation period of one week applies. The study secretariat D-BIOL must also be informed (email CC [email protected]) so that the enrollment is deleted. Otherwise the course is considered as "failed".

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
practical/laboratory course Growth Control and Aging
Permission from lecturers required for all students. Block course in the 4th quarter of the autumn semester
  • Tue 12:45-16:30 (HPM E 36)
  • Wed 07:45-16:30 (HPM E 36)
  • Thu 07:45-16:30 (HPM E 36)
  • Fri 07:45-16:30 (HPM E 36)
100 h semesterly

Offered In