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551-1556-00L 6 Credits BSC , NDS D-PHYS , D-BIOL
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Macromolecular Structure Determination Using Modern Methods

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Kaspar Locher, Prof. em. Dr. Gebhard Schertler, Dr. Julia Kowal, Dr. Rossitza Irobalieva
Number of participants limited to 11 in the 3rd semester quarter of the spring semester Number of participants limited to 12 in the 4th semester quarter of the spring semester The block course will only take place with a minimum of 4 participants. 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. 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 15:54:19

Abstract

This course will expose the students to two prominent techniques for high-resolution structural characterization of biological macromolecules. The students will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience in either cryo-electron microscopy (ETH) or X-ray crystallography (PSI).

Objective

The goal of this course is to introduce the students to the principles of high-resolution structure determination. Students will conduct hands-on experiments and use computational techniques for data processing.

Content

At the ETH the students will prepare and vitrify a protein and then image it on a cryo-TEM. Next, the students will process the data and build an atomic model into the EM map. At the PSI the students will purify and crystallize a membrane protein, collect X-ray diffraction data using synchrotron X-ray source or with cryo-EM, analyze and build an atomic model into a density map. They will refine this model and interpret and illustrate the determined structure. The course work is trying to present insights in the use of structural information. The course also includes a demonstration of the Synchrotron capabilities at the Paul Scherrer Institute (SLS).

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , NDS
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
practical/laboratory course Macromolecular Structure Determination Using Modern Methods
Permission from lecturers required for all students. Block course will be held two times, once in the 3rd- and once in the 4th semester quarter of the spring semester The practical part of the course for 4 students in each quarter will be done at the Laboratory of Biolmolecular Research (BMR), Paul Scherrer Institut ( ). For location please see the link
  • Tue 12:45-16:30 (HPK D 15)
  • Tue 12:45-16:30 (HPK D 15)
  • Wed 07:45-16:30 (HPK D 15)
  • Wed 07:45-16:30 (HPK D 15)
  • Thu 07:45-16:30 (HPK D 15)
  • Thu 07:45-16:30 (HPK D 15)
  • Fri 07:45-16:30 (HPK D 15)
  • Fri 07:45-16:30 (HPK D 15)
  • 20.04 Date 12:45-14:30 (HPZ E 35)
  • 12.05 Date 12:45-15:30 (HPZ E 35)
  • 14.05 Date 08:50-10:30 (HIL B 21)
  • 04.06 Date 11:45-16:30 (HIL C 10.2)
100 h semesterly

Offered In