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Systems Biology
Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:00
Abstract
The course teaches computational methods and first hands-on applications by starting from biological problems/phenomena that students in the 4th semester are somewhat familiar with. During the exercises, students will obtain first experience with programming their own analyses/models for data analysis/interpretation.
Objective
We will teach little if any novel biological knowledge or analysis methods, but focus on training the ability of use existing knowledge (for example from enzyme kinetics, regulatory mechanisms or bioanalytical and statistical methods) to understand biological problems that arise when considering molecular elements in their context and to translate some of these problems into a form that can be solved by computational methods. Specific goals are: - understand the limitations of intuitive reasoning - obtain a first overview of computational approaches in systems biology - train ability to translate biological problems into computational problems - solve practical problems by programming with MATLAB - make first experiences in computational interpretation of biological data - understand typical abstractions in modeling molecular systems Generally, we train critical thinking and active use of knoweldge in application to conrete biological problems.
Content
During the first 7 weeks, the will focus on mechanistic modeling. Starting from simple enzyme kinetics, we will move through the dynamics of small pathways that also include regulation and end with flux balance analysis of a medium size metabolic network. During the second 7 weeks, the focus will shift to the analysis of larger data sets, such as proteomics and transcriptomics that are often generated in biology. Here we will go through multivariate statistical methods that include clustering and principal component analysis, ending with first methods to learn networks from data.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Scripts to prepare the lectures will be provided via Moodle
Learning Materials (Links)
- Moodle course
- Moodle-Kurs / Moodle course
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 150 minutes
- Aids
- None
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Systems Biology |
|
2 h weekly |
| exercise |
Systems Biology
The exercises will in part be offered in German.
Half of the exercises are about training active use of lecture concept for solving specific problems. The other half is about solving biological problems with computational methods.
|
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Wahlfächer (Eine Wahlfachliste wird separat publiziert.)
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