Cell and Molecular Biology for Engineers

Abstract

The course gives an introduction into cellular and molecular biology, specifically for students with a background in engineering. The focus will be on the basic organization of eukaryotic cells, molecular mechanisms and cellular functions. Textbook knowledge will be combined with results from recent research and technological innovations in biology.

Objective

After completing this course, engineering students will be able to apply their previous training in the quantitative and physical sciences to modern biology. Students will also learn the principles how biological models are established, and how these models can be tested.

Content

Lectures will include the following topics: DNA, chromosomes, genome engineering, RNA, proteins, genetics, synthetic biology, gene expression, membrane structure and function, vesicular traffic, cellular communication, energy conversion, cytoskeleton, cell cycle, cellular growth, apoptosis, autophagy, cancer and stem cells. In addition, 3 journal clubs will be held, where recent publications will be discussed. For each journal club, students (alone or in groups of up to four students) have to write a summary and discussion of the publication. These written documents will be graded and count as 30% for the final grade.

Resources