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636-0113-00L 4 Credits DR , MSC D-BSSE , D-INFK

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Genome Engineering

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Randall Platt

Number of participants limited to 30. The seminar is addressed primarily to students enrolled in the MSc Biotechnology.

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:07:58

Abstract

This course is both an introduction to genome engineering and also a highly interactive practical training on effectively reading, writing, and presenting in an academic context.

Objective

The objective of this course is to learn how gene editing technologies function at the molecular and cellular level and how they are applied in research and clinical settings. Students will be introduced to the history and motivation behind the discovery and development of transformative genome engineering technologies, and also gain insight into the ethical, safety, and regulatory facets shaping the field. This content will be explored by critically examining and discussing current literature in the field and devising a technology development plan.

Content

The course content is comprised of lectures, discussions, and a project. Lectures in Genome Engineering will be technology-focused and incorporate: 1) historical context to motivate the need for developing the technology, 2) development of the technology from concept to robust tool, 3) methods to discover, characterize, and evaluate the technology, and 4) applications of the technology in basic and applied research. Primary research articles will be assigned each week, which will be followed by an in-class lecture and discussion. The course project will be team-based and entail devising a solution to a critical need in the field. Main topics: --Discovery and development of genome editing technologies --The prokaryotic adaptive immune system CRISPR-Cas --Genome engineering methods for generating genetically engineered model systems --Genotype-phenotype linkage via genetic screens --Massively paralleled perturbation and phenotyping --Gene editing tools as molecular recording devices --Gene editing tools as diagnostics and therapeutics

Resources

Lecture Notes

Made available through the course website.

Literature

Assigned each week. Made available through the course website.

General Information

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

Examination

Type: end-of-semester examination
Mode: oral 20 minutes

Compulsory continuous performance assessment:1. Literature discussions2. Group project presentation3. Individual project reportThe student’s assignments will be graded and must be passed on their own. Students who do not pass the assignments are required to de-register from the exam and will otherwise be treated as a no show.

Registration & Places

Max Places: 30

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Genome Engineering This course will be held online only (via Zoom). The lecturer will send the link to registered students in due time. Room reserved in Basel: Misrock (BSA E46)	Wed 14:15-17:00 (BSA E 46)	3 h weekly

Offered In

Biotechnology Master
- Advanced Courses (Students need to aquire a total of 24 ECTS in this category. The list of advanced courses is a closed list, no other course can be added to this category.)
  - Biomelecular-Orientated
  - System-Orientated
Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Master (More informations at: )
- Advanced Courses (A total of 30 ECTS needs to be acquired in the Advanced Courses category. Thereof at least 16 ECTS in the Theory and 10 ECTS in the Biology category. Note that some of the lectures are being recorded: )
  - Biology (At least 10 ECTS need to be acquired in this category.)
Doctorate Biosystems Science and Engineering (More Information at: )
- Subject Specialisation (The courses on offer below are a selection out of a much larger available number of courses. You may look for other courses too. If you are uncertain about the creditability and assessment of the course unit you wish to take, please consult the D-BSSE Doctoral Administration. This should be done before registering the course unit.)