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551-1149-00L 6 Credits BSC D-BIOL
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Discovery of Drugs from Blue-Green Algae

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Jörn Piel, Prof. Dr. Amy E. Fraley
Number of participants limited to 3. The enrolment is done by the D-BIOL study administration.
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:01:23

Abstract

Natural products have long been used as medicine. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) are particularly renowned for producing compounds with antibacterial, anticancer, and insecticidal properties. In this block course, students explore Switzerland’s algal communities in habitats including lakes, marshes, streams, peat and raised bogs, and alluvial and riverine forests.

Objective

The students will receive an introduction to relevant subjects of the secondary metabolism of bacteria. Lectures will include an introduction to blue-green algae natural history, systematics and distribution, natural products and drug discovery, bioprospecting and industrial fermentation, relevant analytical methods, microbial communities and metagenomics. The students will receive training in practical work in a research laboratory as well as scientific literacy skills in the form of a research report and oral presentation.

Content

The students will work on a research project focusing on the discovery of bioactive natural products from regional blue-green algae known to produce bioactive molecules. Students will learn from lectures in class, lab and in the field and gain experience with field collection techniques and the sequence of steps required for natural products discovery including organic extraction, fractionation, and column chromatography. They will use analytical techniques such as HPLC and mass spectrometry for initial characterization of the purified secondary metabolites. Primary biological assays will be conducted to identify natural product extracts and fractions with antibiotic activity as a first step in the drug discovery process.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Provided after each lecture.

Literature

https://archive.org/details/howtoknowfreshwa00pres Additional materials will be provided before the start of the course.

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
Exam and other accomplishments for grading:Discussion/Questions = 25%Final Presentation = 20%Laboratory Participation and Notebook = 20%Field Participation = 15%Participation in Lectures = 20%

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
practical/laboratory course Discovery of Drugs from Blue-Green Algae
Permission from lecturers required for all students. Block course in the 1st quarter of the autumn semester. Place: HCI G 439
No time listed 100 h semesterly

Offered In