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551-0357-00L 4 Credits DR , MSC D-CHAB , D-BIOL , D-MATL
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Cellular Matters: Properties, Functions and Applications of Biomolecular Condensates

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. em. Dr. Donald Hilvert, Prof. Dr. Roland Riek, Prof. Dr. Frédéric Allain, Prof. Dr. Raffaele Mezzenga, Dr. Alicia Elizabeth Smith, Prof. Dr. Karsten Weis, Prof. Dr. Paolo Arosio, Prof. Dr. Madhav Jagannathan, Prof. Dr. Gabriel Neurohr, Prof. Dr. Tatjana Kleele, Prof. Dr. Thomas Michaels
The number of participants is limited to 30 and will only take place with a minimum of 6 participants. At the beginning of the course, student groups will be formed and assigned to the milestone papers. To facilitate this, students must confirm their registration by the beginning of the 3rd week of semester.
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Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:30:50

Abstract

This Master level course delves into the emerging field of biomolecular condensates - membrane-less organelles in cells. Using interdisciplinary concepts from biology, chemistry, biophysics, and soft matter, we will explore the biological properties of these condensates, their functions in health and disease, and their potentiol as new biomimetic materials for various applications.

Objective

In the last decade, a novel type of cell compartments called biomolecular condensates have been discovered. This discovery is radically changing our understanding of the cell, its organization, and dynamics. The emerging picture is that the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm are highly complex fluids that can (meta)stably segregate into membrane-less compartments, similary to emulsions. This interdisciplinary course encompasses milestone works and cutting-edge research questions in the young field of biomolecular condensates, including their properties, functions, and applications. The course begins with a lecture series that introduces the topic of condensates to an interdisciplinary audience and provides a theoretical foundation for understanding current research questions in the field. the lecturesprovide a base for student presentations of recent publications in the field, and for research seminars given by course lecturers, who are all active researchers with diverse expertise. Through this exciting interdisciplinary understanding of biomolecular condensates, bridging biology, chemistry, biophysics, and soft matter. Students will not only learn how to critically read and evaluate scientific literature but will also gain valuable experience in giving scientific presentations to an interdisciplinary audience. Each presentation will require an introduction, critical analysis of the results, and a discussion of their significance, allowing student to substantiate their statements with a critical mindset that considers the pros and cons of chosen approaches and methods, as well as any limitations or possible follow-up experiments. This process will enable student to ask relevant querions and actively participate in class discussions, further enhancing their scientific skills. In preparing the presentations, the students will have the unique opportunity to interact closely with each other and with the lecturers, who are all internationally well-established experts, and receive guidance in selectin a topic for the final presentaton and supporting literature.

Content

The topic of biomolecular condensates goes beyond the boundaries of traditional disciplines and requires a multi-disciplinary approach that leverages and cross-fertilizes biology, physical chemistry, biophysics, and soft matter. This course will explore the properties, functions and potentioal applicatons of biomolecular condensates, including their role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as their use as smart biomimetic materials. This course is divided into two parts. The fist part will introduce the basic concepts essentialto the study of biomolecular condensates and phase separation. Topics include: fundamental units and scales in soft matter, phase transitions in biology, biopolymers and molecular self-assembly, introduction to active matter. This will establish a foundation for the second part, which will explore milestone works and current research in the field of biomolecular condensates. Each lecture of this second part will consist of: 1) a short literature seminar, where student groups will present and discuss a milestone paper assigned in advance and 2) a research seminar, where one of the course lecturers will present their own state-of-the art research in the field, building upon the milestone literature. At the beginning of the course, student groups will be formed and assigned to the milestone papers. To facilitate this, students must confirm their registration by the beginning of the 3rd week of semester.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture slides and some scripts will be provided.

Literature

No compulsory textbooks. Literature will be provided during the course

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DR , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
The final examination will consist of about 30 min oral poster presentation, with half of the time for the student presentation and half for questions by the examiners. The final grade will be calculated as follows: 50% Presentation of the milestone assignment and continuous performance assessment; 50% Final examination during the poster session.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
seminar Cellular Matters: Properties, Functions, and Applications of Biomolecular Condensates
  • Wed 09:45-11:30 (HCI H 2.1)
2 h weekly

Offered In